Zimbabwe

 **Zimbabwe's Flag: **
 *  **Has seven equal stripes**
 * **Green, Yellow, Red , and Black **
 * **White isosceles triangle edged by black with its base on the hoist side **
 * **Has a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing the countries history**
 * **Has a five-pointed star in the center of the triangle behind the bird which symbolizes peace**
 * **Green symbolizes agriculture **
 * ** Yellow symbolizes mineral wealth **
 * **Red symoblizes blood shed to achieve independence**
 * **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Black symbolizes the native people **

**<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Zimbabwe's Location: **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Capital **: Harare
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Total: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">390,757 sq km **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span class="category_data" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Land: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">386,847 sq km **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Water:** <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">3,910 sq km
 * <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span class="category_data">**Country comparison to the World:** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">67
 * <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span class="category_data"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Slightly larger than Montana**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Land Boundaries: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-weight: normal;">3,066 km **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Border Countries:**
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Botswana 813 km
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Mozambique 1,231 km
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">South Africa 225 km
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Zambia 797 km
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Terrain:**
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Zimbabwe's Population:** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">11,392,629
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Country comparison to the World: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">74
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Population growth rate: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1.53%
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Birth rate: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">31.49 births/1,000 population
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Age: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">0-14 years: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">43.9% (male 2,523,119/female 2,473,928) [[image:1242930261tn.jpg align="left" caption="Ndebele Man "]]
 * <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">15-64 years: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">52.2% (male 2,666,928/female 3,283,474)
 * <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">65 years and over: <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">3.9% (male 194,360/female 250,820)
 * <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Deaths: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">16.19 deaths/1,000 population
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Infant mortality rate: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">32.31 deaths/1,000 live births
 * <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Male: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">34.9 deaths/1,000 live births
 * <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Female: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">29.64 deaths/1,000 live births
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Life expectancy at birth: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">45.77 years
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Literacy:**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Definition - <span class="category_data" style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: top;">age 15 and over can read and write English


 * <span style="color: #ffff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Zimbabwe's Religions: **
 * Syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%
 * Christian 25%
 * Indigenous beliefs 24%
 * Muslim and other 1%

**<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Languages in Zimbabwe: **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-weight: normal;">English (official),
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-weight: normal;">Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele),
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-weight: normal;">Numerous but minor tribal dialects


 * <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Government Type in Zimbabwe: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**President:** Robert Mugabe [[image:zim_pres.jpg width="328" height="263" align="right" caption="Zimbabwe's President: Robert Mugabe"]]
 * <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Presidential term: ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-weight: normal;"> six years.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Prim Minister:** Morgan Tsvangirai
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Senate seats:** 93
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">60 directly elected members
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">16 traditional chiefs
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">10 provincial governors
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">7 presidential appointees
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**House of Assembly:** 210 members
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Directly elected.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Parliament's members serve five-year terms
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Voting age is 18
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Government Type:** parliamentary democracy

<span style="color: #ffff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Economy in Zimbabwe:**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">GDP per capita
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">$200
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 24px;">Comparison to the World:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 24px;">229
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Imports(commodities)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">machinery
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">transport equipment
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">other manufactures
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">chemicals
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">fuels
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Exports(commodities)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">platinum
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">cotton
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">tobacco
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">gold
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">ferroalloys
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">textiles/clothing
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Currency/exchange rate
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 16px;">Zimbabwean dollars (ZWD) per US dollar - NA (2008 est.)[[image:ZimMoney.jpg align="right" caption="Money in Zimbabwe"]]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 16px;">30,000 (2007),
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 16px;">162.07 (2006)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 16px;">77.965 (2005)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 16px;">5.729 (2004)


 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Economy Overview of Zimbabwe: **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-weight: normal;">
 * The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable fiscal deficit, an overvalued official exchange rate, hyperinflation, and bare store shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has badly damaged the commercial farming sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs, turning Zimbabwe into a net importer of food products. The EU and the US provide food aid on humanitarian grounds. Badly needed support from the IMF has been suspended because of the government's arrears on past loans and the government's unwillingness to enact reforms that would stabilize the economy. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe routinely prints money to fund the budget deficit, causing the official annual inflation rate to rise from 32% in 1998, to 133% in 2004, 585% in 2005, past 1,000% in 2006, and 26,000% in November 2007, and to 11.2 million percent in 2008. Meanwhile, the official exchange rate fell from approximately 1 (revalued) Zimbabwean dollar per US dollar in 2003 to 30,000 per US dollar in September 2007.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 10px;"> <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Zimbabwe's Climate:**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Zimbabwe has a pleasant and mild climate
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Temperatures increase as altitude decreases
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Winter (May to August) highs average
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">55 to 73°F (13–23°C)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Summer (November to March) highs range from
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">77 to 86°F (25–30°C)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Summer is the rainy season
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Some places in the Lowveld can reach above 100°F (38°C)

<span style="color: #ffff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Tourist Information of Zimbabwe:**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The concept of time is more flexible in the village than in the city
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">People generally expect guests to arrive on time.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Unannounced visits are common in villages
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">First calls out a greeting and asks permission to enter the home
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Zimbabweans strive to make guests comfortable
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Hosts always offer refreshments
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">soft drinks
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">tea and
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">snack
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Refusing refreshments or meals is impolite
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Hosts appreciate a small gift and may also give departing visitors a gift (like garden produce)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Rural hosts accompany guests much of the way home
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Urban hosts at least go to the front gate
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Inviting friends or relatives for afternoon tea is popular
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">People also enjoy having guests over for dinner
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Zimbabweans greet strangers with a single handshake use
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">longer handshake with friends
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">As a sign of respect
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">one might support the extended right arm with the left hand.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Rural Shona usually show additional respect
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A series of slow, patterned hand claps.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Common Shona greetings
 * <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Mhoroi // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"> (Hello)
 * <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Mangwanani // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"> (Good morning)
 * <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Masikati // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"> (Good afternoon)
 * <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Manheru // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"> (Good evening)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">However, a simple greeting is not sufficient
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Inquiries about one's family follow
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">If asked <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Makadii? // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> (Shona for “How are you?”)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">one replies <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Tiripo kana makadiiwo // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> (We are fine if you are fine)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The person is often answering for the family in this group-oriented society
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">In Ndebele, a typical response to the phrase <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Siyabonga, linjani? // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> (Hello, how are you?)
 * <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sekona singabusalina // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> (I am fine)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Children are addressed by first name.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Rural parents may be referred to by their oldest child's name
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">prefix <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Mai- // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"> means “mother of”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">prefix <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Baba- // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"> means “father of”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">parents of Ngoni would be addressed as <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">MaiNgoni // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"> (mother of Ngoni)
 * <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">BabaNgoni // <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"> (father of Ngoni)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Parents are respected and obeyed
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">The elderly are addressed as “grandmother” or “grandfather”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Any elderly person must be shown great respect
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">greeted first
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">obeyed by children
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 18px;">Urban adults address each other by first and last name, adding a professional title if appropriate
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">Items are passed and accepted with both hands
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">Shona may clap hands as a gesture of gratitude or politeness
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">Women and girls, especially in rural areas
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">may add a curtsy
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">Respect is shown by physically lowering oneself
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">so people sit when they converse (women sit on floor mats; men are higher up on stools or chairs)
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">One does not rise when an elder enters the room
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">Making direct eye contact with an elder is considered rude
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">Public displays of affection are inappropriate
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">Friends of the same sex may walk holding hands
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 29px;">Personal space is limited
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Zimbabweans eat breakfast before work and their main meal in the evening
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lunch is usually light
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">While urbanites may use Western utensils at times
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">most people normally eat with the fingers of their right hand
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Everyone washes his or her hands before and after a meal
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">using a washbasin passed from person to person
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">It is customary that a younger person pours water for an older person
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Rural families may eat from a communal dish, depending on the food
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Rural families eat together
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">but children eat separately if guests are present
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Chicken is a favorite but expensive meat
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Beef is more desirable but even harder to attain
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">When guests are present
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">they are served first and given some meat with their meal
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">One claps softly and says <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">**//<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Ndaguta //** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(I am satisfied) after a meal to show respect
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">indicate one has been well provided for
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Many families cook over a small fire or paraffin stove

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Places to Visit in Zimbabwe:**
 * Victoria Falls [[image:victoria_falss_2.jpg align="right" caption="Victoria Falls"]]
 * Bulawayo
 * Hwange National Park
 * Eastern Highlands
 * Harare
 * Lake Kariba Masvingo

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Military Expenditures of Zimbabwe:**
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 16px;">3.8% of GDP (2006)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 16px;">Country Comparison to the World:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 16px;">35


 * <span style="color: #ffff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Zimbabwe Backround: **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: 16px;">The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the [British] South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign, which began in 2000, caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. The ruling ZANU-PF party used fraud and intimidation to win a two-thirds majority in the March 2005 parliamentary election, allowing it to amend the constitution at will and recreate the Senate, which had been abolished in the late 1980s. In April 2005, Harare embarked on Operation Restore Order, ostensibly an urban rationalization program, which resulted in the destruction of the homes or businesses of 700,000 mostly poor supporters of the opposition. President MUGABE in June 2007 instituted price controls on all basic commodities causing panic buying and leaving store shelves empty for months. General elections held in March 2008 contained irregularities but still amounted to a censure of the ZANU-PF-led government with significant gains in opposition seats in parliament. MDC opposition leader Morgan TSVANGIRAI won the presidential polls, and may have won an out right majority, but official results posted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Committee did not reflect this. In the lead up to a run-off election in late June 2008, considerable violence enacted against opposition party members led to the withdrawal of TSVANGIRAI from the ballot. Extensive evidence of vote tampering and ballot-box stuffing resulted in international condemnation of the process. Difficult negotiations over a power sharing agreement, allowing MUGABE to remain as president and creating the new position of prime minister for TSVANGIRAI, were finally settled in February 2009.


 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Current Happening in Zimbabwe: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">**375 take part in Exercise Golfinho**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; line-height: normal;">The Minister of Foreign Affairs Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi says beneficiaries of the SADC Multi-dimensional Brigade Size Field Training dubbed “Exercise Golfinho” must apply their skills enhance regional peace operations.Cde Mumbengegwi made the remarks at Masvingo 4 Brigade Military Headquarters, where a 375-member Zimbabwean force which took part in the SADC standby brigade training exercise were formally received.He said: “Experiences gained from all these missions, past and present, must not be put to waste, but must be used for the improvement of the way you handle operations in support of peace. Participation on Exercise Golfinho was an eye-opener for some of you, but for others it was an important platform for the continuation of refinement of skills and knowledge for the betterment of future peace support operations and tasks.”The Minister of Foreign Affairs said the experiences gained during Exercise Golfinho and those gained during similar exercises such as “Blue Hungwe”, “Blue Crane” and “Tanzanite” must be shared by members of the forces.“Over and above your normal roles as peacekeepers, you are ambassadors of your ministries. You are mirrors of the ZDF, ZRP, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other Ministries…,” added the minister.Participants in Exercise Golfinho which was held in South Africa were drawn from the military, police and civilian bodies.Representing the civilian group, Director of Communication in the Ministry of Information and Publicity Major Mutambudzi said the inclusion of civilians in SADC standby force was meant to enhance efficiency in the operation of the force.“Civilians have not been included of late and their participation helps in making the peace operation a success,” Major Mutambudzi said.SADC has joined the African Union in its endeavour to ensure that peace, stability and development take priority, by forming a SADC standby force within its organ on politics, defence and security cooperation.SADC standby concept is part of the African Peace and Security Architecture which is guided by the UN peacekeeping framework.In terms of the AU peace-keeping framework, the regional economic blocks including SADC are required to establish regional standby brigades as an ultimate goal to establish the AU standby force by 2010.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">** Education: ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Expenditures
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4.6% og GDP
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Country Comparison to the World:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">84
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">School Life(primary to tertairy education)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Total:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">9 Years
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Male:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">9 Years
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Female
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">9 Years

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Christianity was introduced by the Portuguese explorers || European slave traders establish coastal ports for the increasing traffic in slaves destined for the Americas || Northern Rhodesia became Zambia Southern Rhodesia became known as Rhodesia || 1970-1974 Civil War between government troops and black guerrillas || April: Abel T. Muzorewa became the first black Prime Minister 31 May: Zimbabwe proclaimed independence 1 June: The nation of Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, was formed ||
 * <span style="color: #ffff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Zimbabwe's Timeline: **
 * || || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">700AD ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Arabian and Persians trade with ivory, rhino horn, gold, shells and slaves ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1000 AD ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Shona people began their rule and built a city called Zimbabwe ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1400s ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Karanga branch of the Shona established the Mwanamutapa Empire ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1500's ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Rowzi branch rebelled and formed the Changamire Empire
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1830s ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Nguni people from the south defeated the empire
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1888 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lobengula, the ruler, signed an agreement that granted mineral rights to the British South African Company ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1893 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The British South African Company occupied the region and called the territory Rhodesia ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1897 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Great Britain recognized southern and northern Rhodesia as separate territories ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1923 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British Colony ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1953 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Great Britain set up the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which included the territories of Southern and Northern Rhodesia ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1963 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1964 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1965 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">11 November: Prime Minister, Ian Smith, declared Rhodesia independent. Great Britain declared this action illegal and banned trade with Rhodesia ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1966 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The United Nations imposed sanctions on Rhodesia ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1969 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A new constitution was introduced to prevent black Africans from ever gaining control of the government ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1970 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2 March: Rhodesia declares itself a republic
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1977 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1977-1979 Prime Minister Smith began to make plans to establish a new government with a majority of black leaders ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1979 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">April: Election resulted in a majority of black leaders
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1980 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">18 April: Great Britain recognized the country's independence and Rhodesia's name was officially changed to Zimbabwe ||
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> || **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2000 ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">February: In a referendum Zimbabwe voters rejected a new constitution which included provisions that called for redistribution of white-owned farmland to blacks ||

Sources:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=1&wmn=Africa&cid=180&cn=Zimbabwe
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[]