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).

Population
	11,515,000
	(1996 official estimate)
Population Density
	29 people/sq km
	(76 people/sq mi)
	(1996 official estimate)
Urban/Rural Breakdown
	27%Urban
	73%Rural
Largest Cities
	Harare1,184,169
	Bulawayo   620,936
	Chitungwiza   274,035
	Mutare     31,808
	Gweru   124,735
	KweKwe     94,982
	(1992 census)
Ethnic Groups
	71%Shona
	16%Ndebele
	13%Other
	including Nyanjas, Europeans, and Asians
Languages
Official Language
	English
Other Languages
	Shona, Ndebele, other local languages
Religions
	44%Christianity
	40%orthodox beliefs
	16%Other
	including Hinduism and Islam