Country Profile
Location Situated in Central Southern Africa, between the Limpopo and the Zambezi, Zimbabwe is landlocked, bounded by Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana
CAPITAL CITY | Harare
Other main cities are Bulawayo, Mutare and Gweru |
TIME ZONE | +2 Hours GMT |
POPULATION |
11,392,629 (January 2010) |
AREA
LANGUAGES | 390,580 sq km
English (Official); Shona and Ndebele |
WEATHER | Seasons, Weather & Suggested Clothing | | December to March
Normally the rainy season with warm to hot days, mild to warm evenings. Light Clothing and rainwear.
April and May
Mainly sunny, warm days with cool to cold evenings. Pack a jersey for the evenings.
June to August
Mild, sunny days but can be distinctly cold in the evenings. A jersey or anorak is strongly recommended.
September
Pleasant sunny days – may need a jersey for the evenings.
October to December
Hot sunny days with high temperatures. Nights are warm. Light clothing.
General Note
It is recommended that sun protection and hats be worn all year round. Good sunglasses |
RELIGIONS | Christianity; Hindu and Muslim minorities. Traditional beliefs in rural areas. |
BUSINESS HOURS | 08 00hrs – 17 00hrs/18 00hrs
On saturdays government offices are closed but the commercial sector opens in the morning until 12:30 pm/ 1:00 pm.
Some retail outlets opens on Sunday mornings |
BANKING HOURS | 0800 - 1500 Monday to Friday.
0800 - 1130 Saturday. |
WEIGHTS & MEASURES | the metric system is used. |
ELECTRICITY | 220/240 Volts AC; 50 Hz |
Public Holidays (2010)
-
1 January (New Year’s Day)
-
2 April (Good Friday)
-
3
April (Easter Saturday)
-
4
April (Easter Sunday)
-
5
April (Easter Monday)
-
18
April (Independence Day)
-
1
May (Worker’s Day)
-
25
May (Africa Day)
-
9
August (Heroes'
Day)
-
10
August (Defence Forces'
Day)
-
22
December (National Unity Day)
-
25
December (Christmas Day)
-
26 December
(Boxing Day)
-
27
December (Public Day)
Many companies close for one to two weeks over the Christmas/New Year period. Telecommunications
Zimbabwe has three cellular network operators through which roaming facilities are available. (If you wish to bring you cellular telephone along it is advisable to check with your local cellular provider as to whether or not they have roaming facilities in Zimbabwe).
Pay as you go cards are also available from the cellular companies in Zimbabwe.
Access to the Sea Although Zimbabwe is landlocked it enjoys easy access to the sea-ports of Beira and Maputo in Mozambique and Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London in South Africa.
Economic Organisations
SADC
Zimbabwe is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that facilitates and co-ordinates development projects in Southern Africa. Other SADC member states are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
COMESA
Zimbabwe is also a member of the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) – another regional Organisation set up to encourage trade by reducing and eventually eliminating trade barriers and to create a common market. Zimbabwe and eight other countries namely Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Sudan and Zambia have now formed a Free Trade Area under COMESA. Other member states are Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Swaziland, and Uganda.
Other UN, ADB, WB, IMF. |
