Today is the Independence Day of Zimbabwe. That is why we have decided to bring this country closer to you asking our Zimbabwean students to create a list of 10 facts about their home country. Did you know all of them?
1. Languages
The country with the most official languages in the world is Zimbabwe with 16, it’s a Guinness World Record. These are: Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa. If you want to know more about the languages of Zimbabwe, make sure to read this article.
2. Independence
Zimbabwe was one of the last few African states to attain independence from British colonial rule in 1980. We celebrate independence on the 18th of April every year.
3. Victoria Falls, the world’s largest waterfall
Victoria Falls is one of original the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Stretching 1.7 kilometres wide and shared by the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls are formed as the full width of the Zambezi River plummets into a 108-metre high cleft. During the wet season, the spray from the falls can be seen nearly 50 kilometres away, hence the local name Mosi-oa-Tunya (the ‘Smoke that Thunders’).
4. We have the world’s biggest man-made lake
Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake and reservoir by volume. It lies 1,300 kilometres upstream from the Indian Ocean, along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
5. King Solomon’s gold mines
Zimbabwe is believed to be the location of Ophir, the ancient wealthy country from which King Solomon got ivory, gold, and such other precious items. Great Zimbabwe was an ancient Shona city stood at the hub of a vast trade network in Southern Africa, trading in Gold and Iron with Portuguese and Indian traders.
6. Zimbabwe is a top producer of Tabaco
Zimbabwe is one of the top 10 producers of Tobacco in the world. Only 20% of the population consume cigarettes and most of the tobacco produced is sold abroad.
7. We love the Flame Lilly
The Flame Lilly is the national flower of Zimbabwe. It is listed as a protected plant under the Parks and Wildlife Act, so unlicensed cultivation, harvesting and trade in it is illegal.
8. Large Elephant population
After Botswana Zimbabwe has the second-largest elephant population in the world at more than 85,000.
9. Zimbabwe is larger than Germany in terms of area
Zimbabwe is approximately 390,757 sq. km, while Germany is approximately 357,022 sq. km, making Germany 91.37% the size of Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, the population of Zimbabwe is ~ 14 million people (66.8 million more people live in Germany). It’s safe to say Germany has way more people
10. Rock paintings
Zimbabwe has southern Africa’s highest concentration of rock art, and there are thousands of sites all over the country. The rock art was drawn by the inhabitants of the land and it shows their way of life in those ancient times. The oldest of these rock paintings date back 7000 years.
Happy Independence Day, Zimbabwe!
