I.

Introduction

Zimbabwe, officially Republic of Zimbabwe, landlocked republic, southern Africa, bordered on the north-west by Zambia, on the north-east and east by Mozambique, on the south by South Africa, on the south-west by Botswana, and on the west by Botswana and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia. It was formerly the British colony of Southern Rhodesia (later Rhodesia).

The white government of the territory declared unilateral independence in 1965, adopting a republican form of government in 1970, and precipitating a war with black nationalist groups seeking independence under majority rule. In April 1980, following multi-party elections, Rhodesia became formally independent as the Republic of Zimbabwe. The total area of the country is 390,759 sq km (150,873 sq mi). The capital of Zimbabwe is Harare.