View source for Geography of Zimbabwe

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{refimprove|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox country geography
|name = Zimbabwe
|map = [[File:Zi-map.png|250px]]<br><br>[[File:LocationZimbabwe.svg|240px]]
|map size = 
|continent = [[Africa]]
|region = [[Southern Africa]]
|coordinates = {{coord|20|S|30|E|type:country_region:ZW|display=inline,title}}
|area ranking = 60th
|km area = 390,757
|percent land = 99.00
|percent water = 1.00
|km coastline = 0
|borders =  3,066&nbsp;km <br> ([[Botswana]] 813 km, [[Mozambique]] 1231 km, [[South Africa]] 225 km, [[Zambia]] 797 km)
|highest point = [[Inyangani]]<br> 2,592 m (8,504 ft)
|lowest point = junction of the [[Runde River|Runde]] and [[Save River (Africa)|Save]] rivers. 162 m (531 ft)
|longest river = [[Zambezi River]] <br> 2,650 km
|largest lake = [[Lake Kariba]] <br> 7,770 km<sup>2</sup>
|climate = 
|terrain = 
|natural resources = 
|natural hazards = 
|environmental issues = 
}}
{{MapLibrary|Zimbabwe_sat.png|Zimbabwe}}

[[Image:Zimbabwe Topography.png|thumb|Topography of Zimbabwe]]
[[Image:ZimbabweOMC.png|thumb|Zimbabwe's cities, main towns, selected villages and archaeological sites, rivers and its highest point]]
[[Zimbabwe]] is a [[landlocked]] country in [[southern Africa]] lying north of the [[Tropic of Capricorn]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zimbabwe climate: average weather, temperature, precipitation, when to go, what to pack |url=https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/zimbabwe |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=www.climatestotravel.com}}</ref> During [[summer]], the whole country experiences warm temperatures as a result of the sun being directly overhead. It straddles an extensive high inland plateau that drops northwards to the [[Zambezi]] valley where the border with [[Zambia]] is and similarly drops southwards to the [[Limpopo River|Limpopo]] valley and the border with [[South Africa]]. 

==Area and boundaries==
; Area:
:* Total: 390,757 km²
:**''country rank in the world:'' 60th
:* Land: 386,850 km²
:* Water: 3,910 km²

; Area comparative
:* Australia comparative: slightly less than half the size of [[New South Wales]]
:* Canada comparative: slightly smaller than [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]
:* United Kingdom comparative: approximately {{sfrac|3|5}} larger than the United Kingdom
:* United States comparative: slightly larger than [[Montana]]
:* [[European Union|EU]] comparative: approximately {{sfrac|1|10}} larger than [[Germany]]
; Land boundaries:

The country has borders with [[Botswana]] (813&nbsp;km), [[Mozambique]] 1,231&nbsp;km, [[South Africa]] (225&nbsp;km), [[Zambia]]  797&nbsp;km and almost meets [[Namibia]] at its westernmost point.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-24 |title=Zimbabwe Maps & Facts |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/zimbabwe |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Climate ==
The climate varies markedly with altitude with the Eastern Highlands at {{convert|1878|m|ft|0|disp=or}} above sea level being much wetter and cooler than lower altitudes. There is a dry season, including a short cool season during the period May to September, when the whole country has very little rain. The rainy season is typically a time of heavy rainfall from November to March. The whole country is influenced by the [[Intertropical Convergence Zone]] during January. In years when it is poorly defined there is below-average rainfall and a likelihood of serious drought in the country, as happened in 1983 and 1992. When it is well defined rainfall is average or well above average, as in 1981 and 1986. Zimbabwe’s climate can be categorised into three regions, hot region (lowveld and part of the middleveld), warm region (rest of the middleveld and high veld) and the cool region (Eastern Highlands){{citation needed|date=May 2022}}<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Nhandara |first1=E.S. |title=GEOGRAPHY TODAY PHYSICAL |last2=Mutsvangwa |first2=L. |last3=Shumbayawonda |first3=W. |publisher=ZIMBABWE PUBLISHING HOUSE |year=1991 |isbn=0908300360 |edition=1ST |location=HARARE ZIMBABWE |language=ENGLISH |display-authors=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ngwazikazana |first=P |title=FOCUS ON GEOGRAPHY |publisher=COLLEGE PRESS |year=2018 |isbn=9781779301093 |edition=1ST |location=HARARE, ZIMBABWE |pages=PP=16 |language=ENGLISH}}</ref>

===Examples===
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Harare (1961–1990, extremes 1897–present)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|collapsed = Yes
|Jan record high C = 33.9
|Feb record high C = 35.0
|Mar record high C = 32.3
|Apr record high C = 32.0
|May record high C = 30.0
|Jun record high C = 27.7
|Jul record high C = 28.8
|Aug record high C = 31.0
|Sep record high C = 35.0
|Oct record high C = 36.7
|Nov record high C = 35.3
|Dec record high C = 33.5
|year record high C = 36.7
|Jan high C = 26.2
|Feb high C = 26.0
|Mar high C = 26.2
|Apr high C = 25.6
|May high C = 23.8
|Jun high C = 21.8
|Jul high C = 21.6
|Aug high C = 24.1
|Sep high C = 28.4
|Oct high C = 28.8
|Nov high C = 27.6
|Dec high C = 26.3
|year high C = 25.5
|Jan mean C = 21.0
|Feb mean C = 20.7
|Mar mean C = 20.3
|Apr mean C = 18.8
|May mean C = 16.1
|Jun mean C = 13.7
|Jul mean C = 13.4
|Aug mean C = 15.5
|Sep mean C = 18.6
|Oct mean C = 20.8
|Nov mean C = 21.2
|Dec mean C = 20.9
|year mean C = 18.4
|Jan low C = 15.8
|Feb low C = 15.7
|Mar low C = 14.5
|Apr low C = 12.5
|May low C = 9.3
|Jun low C = 6.8
|Jul low C = 6.5
|Aug low C = 8.5
|Sep low C = 11.7
|Oct low C = 14.5
|Nov low C = 15.5
|Dec low C = 15.8
|year low C = 12.3
|Jan record low C = 9.6
|Feb record low C = 8.0
|Mar record low C = 7.5
|Apr record low C = 4.7
|May record low C = 2.8
|Jun record low C = 0.1
|Jul record low C = 0.1
|Aug record low C = 1.1
|Sep record low C = 4.1
|Oct record low C = 5.1
|Nov record low C = 6.1
|Dec record low C = 10.0
|year record low C = 0.1
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm = 190.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 176.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 99.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 37.2
|May precipitation mm = 7.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 1.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 2.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 2.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 6.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 40.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 93.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 182.7
|year precipitation mm = 840.6
|unit precipitation days=
|Jan precipitation days = 17
|Feb precipitation days = 14
|Mar precipitation days = 10
|Apr precipitation days = 5
|May precipitation days = 2
|Jun precipitation days = 1
|Jul precipitation days = 0
|Aug precipitation days = 1
|Sep precipitation days = 1
|Oct precipitation days = 5
|Nov precipitation days = 10
|Dec precipitation days = 16
|year precipitation days = 82
|Jan humidity = 76
|Feb humidity = 77
|Mar humidity = 72
|Apr humidity = 67
|May humidity = 62
|Jun humidity = 60
|Jul humidity = 55
|Aug humidity = 50
|Sep humidity = 45
|Oct humidity = 48
|Nov humidity = 63
|Dec humidity = 73
|year humidity = 62
|Jan sun = 217.0
|Feb sun = 190.4
|Mar sun = 232.5
|Apr sun = 249.0
|May sun = 269.7
|Jun sun = 264.0
|Jul sun = 279.0
|Aug sun = 300.7
|Sep sun = 294.0
|Oct sun = 285.2
|Nov sun = 231.0
|Dec sun = 198.4
|year sun = 3010.9
|Jand sun = 7.0
|Febd sun = 6.8
|Mard sun = 7.5
|Aprd sun = 8.3
|Mayd sun = 8.7
|Jund sun = 8.8
|Juld sun = 9.0
|Augd sun = 9.7
|Sepd sun = 9.8
|Octd sun = 9.2
|Novd sun = 7.7
|Decd sun = 6.4
|yeard sun = 8.2
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]],<ref name = WMOharare >
{{cite web
|url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/130/c00263.htm
|title = World Weather Information Service – Harare
|publisher= World Meteorological Organization
|access-date = 10 June 2016}}</ref> NOAA (sun and mean temperature, 1961–1990),<ref name = NOAAharare>
{{cite web
|url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/ZI/67775.TXT
|title = Harare Kutsaga Climate Normals 1961–1990
|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200713124345/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/ZI/67775.TXT
|archive-date = 2020-07-13
|url-status = dead
|access-date = 10 June 2016}}</ref> 
|source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (humidity, 1954–1975),<ref name = harareDWD>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_677750_kt.pdf
|title = Klimatafel von Harare-Kutsaga (Salisbury) / Simbabwe
|work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
|publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
|language = de
|access-date = 10 June 2016}}</ref> Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)<ref name = hararemeteoclimat>
{{cite web 
|url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=944
|title = Station Harare 
|publisher = Meteo Climat 
|language = fr 
|access-date = 10 June 2016}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location=Bulawayo (1961-1990 normals)
|metric first=Yes
|single line=Yes
|collapsed = Yes
|Jan record high C = 36.7
|Feb record high C = 34.4
|Mar record high C = 35.6
|Apr record high C = 33.0
|May record high C = 30.6
|Jun record high C = 28.3
|Jul record high C = 28.3
|Aug record high C = 32.2
|Sep record high C = 35.0
|Oct record high C = 36.7
|Nov record high C = 37.2
|Dec record high C = 35.2
|year record high C = 37.2
|Jan high C = 27.7
|Feb high C = 27.2
|Mar high C = 27.1
|Apr high C = 25.9
|May high C = 24.1
|Jun high C = 21.6
|Jul high C = 21.5
|Aug high C = 24.4
|Sep high C = 27.9
|Oct high C = 29.4
|Nov high C = 28.7
|Dec high C = 27.7
|year high C = 26.1
|Jan mean C = 21.8
|Feb mean C = 21.2
|Mar mean C = 20.6
|Apr mean C = 18.7
|May mean C = 16.0
|Jun mean C = 13.7
|Jul mean C = 13.8
|Aug mean C = 16.4
|Sep mean C = 19.9
|Oct mean C = 21.6
|Nov mean C = 21.7
|Dec mean C = 21.4
|year mean C = 18.9
|Jan low C = 16.5
|Feb low C = 16.2
|Mar low C = 15.3
|Apr low C = 13.0
|May low C = 9.9
|Jun low C = 7.4
|Jul low C = 7.2
|Aug low C = 9.1
|Sep low C = 12.4
|Oct low C = 15.0
|Nov low C = 16.0
|Dec low C = 16.3
|year low C = 12.9
|Jan record low C = 10.0
|Feb record low C = 9.4
|Mar record low C = 8.4
|Apr record low C = 3.5
|May record low C = 0.0
|Jun record low C = -3.9
|Jul record low C = 0.0
|Aug record low C = 0.0
|Sep record low C = 1.4
|Oct record low C = 6.9
|Nov record low C = 7.2
|Dec record low C = 8.9
|year record low C = -3.9
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 117.8
|Feb rain mm = 104.6
|Mar rain mm = 51.4
|Apr rain mm = 33.3
|May rain mm = 7.0
|Jun rain mm = 2.2
|Jul rain mm = 1.0
|Aug rain mm = 1.4
|Sep rain mm = 7.0
|Oct rain mm = 38.4
|Nov rain mm = 91.1
|Dec rain mm = 120.3
|year rain mm = 575.5
|Jan rain days = 10
|Feb rain days = 8
|Mar rain days = 5
|Apr rain days = 3
|May rain days = 1
|Jun rain days = 1
|Jul rain days = 0
|Aug rain days = 0
|Sep rain days = 1
|Oct rain days = 4
|Nov rain days = 8
|Dec rain days = 10
|year rain days = 51
|Jan humidity = 69
|Feb humidity = 71
|Mar humidity = 70
|Apr humidity = 62
|May humidity = 56
|Jun humidity = 54
|Jul humidity = 48
|Aug humidity = 43
|Sep humidity = 41
|Oct humidity = 43
|Nov humidity = 55
|Dec humidity = 63
|year humidity = 56
|Jan sun = 244.9
|Feb sun = 212.8
|Mar sun = 251.1
|Apr sun = 252.0
|May sun = 279.0
|Jun sun = 267.0
|Jul sun = 288.3
|Aug sun = 300.7
|Sep sun = 288.0
|Oct sun = 272.8
|Nov sun = 237.0
|Dec sun = 226.3
|year sun = 3119.9
|Jand sun = 7.9
|Febd sun = 7.6
|Mard sun = 8.1
|Aprd sun = 8.4
|Mayd sun = 9.0
|Jund sun = 8.9
|Juld sun = 9.3
|Augd sun = 9.7
|Sepd sun = 9.6
|Octd sun = 8.8
|Novd sun = 7.9
|Decd sun = 7.3
|yeard sun = 8.5
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name= BulawayoWMO>{{cite web
| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=950
| title = World Weather Information Service – Bulawayo
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 25 October 2015}}</ref> NOAA (sun and mean temperature, 1961–1990)<ref name = NOAAbluaywao>
{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/ZI/67965.TXT
| title = Bulawayo Airport Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210302170223/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/ZI/67965.TXT
| archive-date = 2021-03-02
| url-status = dead
| access-date = 10 June 2016}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes and humidity)<ref name = bulaywaoDWD>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_679640_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Bulawayo (Goetz-Observatorium) / Simbabwe
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = 13 May 2016}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Mutare
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|width = auto
|collapsed = yes
|Jan high C = 27.6
|Feb high C = 26.8
|Mar high C = 26.3
|Apr high C = 25.2
|May high C = 23.7
|Jun high C = 21.4
|Jul high C = 21.2
|Aug high C = 23.2
|Sep high C = 26.1
|Oct high C = 27.0
|Nov high C = 27.5
|Dec high C = 27.1
|year high C = 25.3
|Jan low C = 17.5
|Feb low C = 16.3
|Mar low C = 15.6
|Apr low C = 13.9
|May low C = 10.6
|Jun low C = 8.0
|Jul low C = 7.6
|Aug low C = 9.3
|Sep low C = 12.2
|Oct low C = 14.6
|Nov low C = 16.1
|Dec low C = 16.9
|year low C = 13.2
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 153.5
|Feb rain mm = 164.5
|Mar rain mm = 88.4
|Apr rain mm = 31.8
|May rain mm = 12.4
|Jun rain mm = 8.9
|Jul rain mm = 5.8
|Aug rain mm = 6.0
|Sep rain mm = 20.2
|Oct rain mm = 45.9
|Nov rain mm = 86.4
|Dec rain mm = 167.0
|year rain mm = 790.8
|unit rain days = 
|Jan rain days = 13
|Feb rain days = 11
|Mar rain days = 10
|Apr rain days = 4
|May rain days = 3
|Jun rain days = 2
|Jul rain days = 2
|Aug rain days = 2
|Sep rain days = 2
|Oct rain days = 5
|Nov rain days = 8
|Dec rain days = 12
|year rain days = 74
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name= MutareWMO>{{cite web
| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=954
| title = World Weather Information Service – Mutare
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 25 October 2015}}</ref>
|date=July 2011
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Hwange (1961–1990)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|width = auto
|collapsed = yes
|Jan high C = 29.2
|Feb high C = 28.9
|Mar high C = 28.8
|Apr high C = 27.9
|May high C = 26.2
|Jun high C = 24.0
|Jul high C = 24.1
|Aug high C = 26.9
|Sep high C = 30.9
|Oct high C = 32.1
|Nov high C = 31.7
|Dec high C = 29.7
|year high C = 28.4
|Jan low C = 18.1
|Feb low C = 17.7
|Mar low C = 16.8
|Apr low C = 13.4
|May low C = 8.7
|Jun low C = 4.9
|Jul low C = 4.6
|Aug low C = 7.2
|Sep low C = 12.1
|Oct low C = 16.0
|Nov low C = 17.5
|Dec low C = 18.0
|year low C = 12.9
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 145.1
|Feb rain mm = 128.9
|Mar rain mm = 57.1
|Apr rain mm = 20.3
|May rain mm = 2.6
|Jun rain mm = 0.1
|Jul rain mm = 0.0
|Aug rain mm = 0.6
|Sep rain mm = 1.6
|Oct rain mm = 21.4
|Nov rain mm = 55.8
|Dec rain mm = 126.5
|year rain mm = 560.0
|Jan rain days = 12
|Feb rain days = 10
|Mar rain days = 7
|Apr rain days = 3
|May rain days = 1
|Jun rain days = 0
|Jul rain days = 0
|Aug rain days = 0
|Sep rain days = 1
|Oct rain days = 3
|Nov rain days = 7
|Dec rain days = 12
|year rain days = 56
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name= HwangeWMO>{{cite web
| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=965
| title = World Weather Information Service – Hwange
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 13 May 2016}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Gweru (1961–1990)
|single line = Yes
|metric first = Yes
|width = auto 
|collapsed = Yes 
|Jan high C = 26.3
|Feb high C = 25.8
|Mar high C = 25.8
|Apr high C = 24.7
|May high C = 22.9
|Jun high C = 20.6
|Jul high C = 20.5
|Aug high C = 23.3
|Sep high C = 26.8
|Oct high C = 28.3
|Nov high C = 27.4
|Dec high C = 26.3
|year high C = 24.9
|Jan low C = 15.3
|Feb low C = 15.1
|Mar low C = 13.8
|Apr low C = 11.3
|May low C = 7.6
|Jun low C = 4.9
|Jul low C = 4.5
|Aug low C = 6.5
|Sep low C = 10.0
|Oct low C = 13.1
|Nov low C = 14.5
|Dec low C = 15.1
|year low C = 11.0
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 139.1
|Feb rain mm = 124.8
|Mar rain mm = 55.9
|Apr rain mm = 29.0
|May rain mm = 7.7
|Jun rain mm = 1.9
|Jul rain mm = 1.0
|Aug rain mm = 1.9
|Sep rain mm = 9.3
|Oct rain mm = 35.1
|Nov rain mm = 96.2
|Dec rain mm = 159.4
|year rain mm = 661.3
|unit rain days =
|Jan rain days = 12
|Feb rain days = 10
|Mar rain days = 7
|Apr rain days = 3
|May rain days = 1
|Jun rain days = 1
|Jul rain days = 0
|Aug rain days = 0
|Sep rain days = 1
|Oct rain days = 4
|Nov rain days = 9
|Dec rain days = 12
|year rain days = 60
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name= GweruWMO>{{cite web
| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=953
| title = World Weather Information Service – Gweru
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 25 October 2015}}</ref>
|date=October 2015
}}

== Terrain ==
Much of the country is on a plateau with a higher central plateau (high veld) forming a watershed between the [[Zambezi]] and [[Limpopo River|Limpopo river]] systems. The flattish watershed region is part of an ancient [[etchplain]] called the [[African Surface]] covers large swathes of the continent.<ref name=Romer2010>{{cite journal |last1=Römer |first1=Wolfgang |date=2010 |title=Multiple planation surfaces in basement regions: Implications for the reconstruction of periods of denudation and uplift in southern Zimbabwe |journal=[[Geomorphology (journal)|Geomorphology]] |volume=114 |issue=3 |pages=199–212 |doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.07.001 |bibcode=2010Geomo.114..199R }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Burke |first1=Kevin |last2=Gunnell |first2=Yanni |date=2008 |title=The African Erosion Surface: A Continental-Scale Synthesis of Geomorphology, Tectonics, and Environmental Change over the Past 180 Million Years |publisher=The Geological Society of America |isbn=978-0-8137-1201-7}}</ref> While the African Surface occupy the higher ground, spurs and small [[interfluve]]s a [[denudation chronology|younger]] "post-African" surface occupy lower positions with occasional [[granite dome|rock domes]], [[koppie]]s and [[tor (rock formation)|tor]]s protruding rolling or plain landscape. The Limpopo and the lower Zambezi valleys are broad and relatively flat plains. The eastern end of the watershed terminates in a north-south mountain spine, called the Eastern Highlands.<ref name=Romer2010/> The northeast-southwest oriented central uplands have been [[epeirogenic movement|uplifted]] in geologically recent times ([[Late Pliocene]] or [[Pleistocene]]) deviating the watercourse of upper Zambezi River that used to flow into the Limpopo River to the east to its current outlet at the [[Mozambique Channel]].<ref name=Moore1999>{{cite journal |last1=Moore |first1=A.E. |date=1999 |title=A reapprisal of epeirogenic flexure axes in southern Africa |journal=[[South African Journal of Geology]] |volume=102 |issue=4 |pages=363–376 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Goudie |first1=A.S.|author-link=Andrew Goudie (geographer) |date=2005 |title=The drainage of Africa since the Cretaceous |journal=[[Geomorphology (journal)|Geomorphology]] |volume=67 |issue=3–4 |pages=437–456 |doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2004.11.008 |bibcode=2005Geomo..67..437G }}</ref> The northeast-southwest upland and watershed follows the axis of an [[epeirogenic movement|epeirogenic flexure]].<ref name=Moore1999/> 

'''Elevation extremes:'''
<br>''lowest point:'' junction of the [[Runde River|Runde]] and [[Save River (Africa)|Save]] rivers 162 m 
<br>''highest point:'' [[Mount Nyangani]] 2,592 m<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mount Inyangani {{!}} mountain peak, Zimbabwe {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Inyangani |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

'''Natural resources:''' [[coal]], [[chromium]] ore, [[asbestos]], [[gold]], [[nickel]], [[copper]], [[iron ore]], [[vanadium]], [[lithium]], [[tin]], [[diamond]], [[platinum]] group metals

'''Land use:'''
<br>''arable land:'' 10.49%
<br>''permanent crops:'' 0.31%
<br>''other:'' 89.20% (2011)

'''Irrigated land:''' 1,735&nbsp;km² (2003)

'''Total renewable water resources:''' 20&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2011)

'''Natural hazards:''' droughts; floods and severe storms are rare

'''Environment — current issues:''' [[deforestation]]; [[soil erosion]]; [[land degradation]]; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd – once the largest concentration of the species in the world – has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Deena |date=2023-01-09 |title=The Biggest Environmental Problems Of 2021 |url=https://earth.org/the-biggest-environmental-problems-of-our-lifetime/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Earth.Org |language=en}}</ref>

'''Environment — international agreements: ↵'''party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, [[Desertification]], Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements.

'''Hydrology: ↵'''The country is divided into six [[drainage basin]]s. The largest are the Zambezi and the Limpopo. Western parts of [[Matabeleland]] connect to the Okavango inland drainage basin through the Nata River. Most of southern [[Mashonaland]] and adjacent parts of [[Masvingo]] drain through the [[Save River (Africa)|Save river]] into the Indian Ocean. Two smaller drainage basins cover parts of [[Manicaland]], and drain into the Indian Ocean through Mozambique. These are the Pungwe river to the north and the Buzi river to the south. [[Sediment transport]] has been studied for rivers in Zimbabwe using the [[HBV hydrology model|HBV]] [[hydrology transport model]].

Main land use type:

# Above {{convert|1050|mm|in|0|disp=or}}/annum with some precipitation in all months of the year Afforestation, fruit, tea, coffee and intensive livestock production.
# {{convert|750|to|1000|mm|in|-1}}/annum seasonally confined with well-defined dry season Large scale intensive crop and livestock production.
# {{convert|650|to|800|mm|in|0}}/annum with regular mid-season dry spells Livestock production with fodder crops. Marginal production of maize, tobacco and cotton.
# {{convert|450|to|650|mm|in|0}}/annum with periodic seasonal drought and severe rainy season dry spells. Livestock production and drought resistant crops.
# Too low and erratic for even drought resistant fodder and grain crops. Extensive livestock and/or game ranching.<ref>Source: CSO (1997, 144)</ref>

== Extreme points ==
This is a list of the extreme points of Zimbabwe, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.

* Northernmost point — unnamed location on the border with [[Zambia]] in the [[Zambezi river]] immediately north of the town of [[Kanyemba]], [[Mashonaland West]] province
* Easternmost point — unnamed location on the border with [[Mozambique]] immediately west of the Mozambican town of [[Vera, Mozambique|Vera]], [[Manicaland]] province
* Southernmost point — the [[tripoint]] with [[South Africa]] and Mozambique, [[Masvingo Province]]
* Westernmost point — the tripoint with [[Botswana]] and Zambia, [[Matabeleland North]] province, about 150 meters from the easternmost point of [[Namibia]] at what is almost a [[quadripoint]]

== Weather hazards in Zimbabwe ==
[[Weather hazards]] are conditions which are unfavorable to people and their activities that result from weather phenomena, and include any naturally occurring weather condition that has the potential to cause harm to people.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hallett |first1=S. |title=Community Resilience to Extreme Weather - Final Report |url=http://www.landis.org.uk/downloads/downloads/CREW_Final_Report.pdf |website=LandIS |publisher=Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> Most of these cannot be prevented however their effects can be mitigated. '''[[Zimbabwe]]''' is affected by various '''[[weather hazards]]''' including [[drought]]s, floods, heat wave, lightning and [[wildfire]]s over the past century. These weather hazards has affected a lot of people in Zimbabwe resulting to a number of deaths and other challenges.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/zimbabwe |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org |language=en}}</ref> Sixteen districts across six provinces [[Manicaland Province|Manicaland]], [[Mashonaland Central Province|Mashonaland Central]], [[Mashonaland West Province|Mashonaland West]], [[Mashonaland East Province|Mashonaland East]], [[Midlands]] and [[Matabeleland North Province|Matabeleland North]] in Zimbabwe have been affected by heavy rains and floods since the 2021/2022 rainy season began in October 2021. [[Tropical Storm Ana (2022)|Tropical Storm Ana]] brought heavy rains to Zimbabwe in late-January, causing floods and damage, affecting 845 houses and 51 schools.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zimbabwe: Floods and Storms I Flash Update No. 1, 3 February 2022 - Zimbabwe {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/zimbabwe/zimbabwe-floods-and-storms-i-flash-update-no-1-3-february-2022 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=reliefweb.int |date=4 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Types of weather hazards that have affected Zimbabwe. ===
The main weather hazards that have affected Zimbabwe include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org |language=en}}</ref>

* [[Drought]]
* [[Flood]]s
* [[Lightning]]
* [[Frost]]
* [[Frost|Heat wave]]
* [[Wildfire]]s<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-18 |title=8 Main Types of Weather Hazards {{!}} Meteorology |url=https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/agrometeorology/8-main-types-of-weather-hazards-meteorology/88869 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Your Article Library |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Drought ===
[[File:Near_Kariba.jpg|thumb|Climate and Weather near Kariba in Zimbabwe]]
[[Drought]] has to do with a period of abnormally [[Arid|dry weather]] which is caused little or no [[rainfall]] producing a lack of [[water]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=What is meant by the term drought? |url=https://www.weather.gov/bmx/kidscorner_drought |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.weather.gov |language=EN-US}}</ref>

==== Effects of Drought in Zimbabwe ====
In Zimbabwe droughts carry many effects which include factors leading to economic struggles. [[Inflation]] rates go up as farmers undergo crop failure and loss of [[livestock]] a well as often [[wildfire]]s. Due to drought the country is faced with serious [[Water scarcity|water shortages]] as well as outrageous [[Power outage|power cuts]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=garikaib |date=2023-01-24 |title=Floods |url=https://revision.co.zw/floods/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Free ZIMSEC & Cambridge Revision Notes |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== Mitigation ====
To limit the effects of drought the country can make use of cloud seeding, stocking of harvest in GMBs during fruitful years and/or practice irrigation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=garikaib |date=2023-01-24 |title=Drought |url=https://revision.co.zw/drought/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Free ZIMSEC & Cambridge Revision Notes |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Building and servicing dams and rivers that are no longer serving their purpose<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-15 |title=Ongoing Projects - Zinwa |url=http://zinwa.co.zw/ongoing-projects/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Floods ===
[[Flood]]ing refer to an abnormal overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally [[Drylands]]. These are caused by abnormal rainfall and [[cyclone]]s.<ref>{{Citation |last=Obeng-Odoom |first=Franklin |title=The Promised Land |date=2021-12-09 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198867180.003.0010 |work=Global Migration beyond Limits |pages=250–255 |access-date=2023-03-25 |publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/oso/9780198867180.003.0010 |isbn=978-0-19-886718-0 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==== Effects of Floods in Zimbabwe ====
The primary effects of flooding include loss of life and damage to buildings and other structures, including bridges, [[Sewerage|sewerage systems]], roadways, and canals. Floods also frequently damage power transmission and sometimes power generation. As a common after-effect of severe flooding, Zimbabwe has also faced economic hardship due to a temporary decline in [[tourism]], rebuilding costs, or food shortages leading to price increases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Floods - Causes and Effects of Flooding {{!}} Flood Protection |url=https://www.english-online.at/geography/floods/floods-and-flooding.htm |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.english-online.at}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newsday |first=The Standard and |title=Cyclone Ana hits Zim |url=https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/15080/cyclone-ana-hits-zim |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=NewsDay |language=en}}</ref>

==== Mitigation ====
In January 2022 the country's Department of Civil Protection (DCP) set up 394 evacuation centers in Manicaland province to deal with the impact of [[Cyclone Ana]]. This was the government's way of limiting the effects of the floods as it was noted that parts of Mutasa and [[Chimanimani District|Chimanimani districts]] were already receiving strong winds and heavy rains associated with the storm.<ref>{{Cite web |title=5 Cyclones To Hit Zimbabwe – ZimEye |url=https://www.zimeye.net/2022/12/10/5-cyclones-to-hit-zimbabwe/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |language=en-US}}</ref> Another way of mitigating the effects of flooding is relocating people before during and after the floods and ensuring that everyone is at safe place when the cyclone hits the area. This is seen in Zimbabwe where the authorities announced that school children from the most vulnerable areas should not go to school but stay home on the days when [[cyclone Freddy]] was expected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cyclone Freddy: Schools Shut – ZimEye |url=https://www.zimeye.net/2023/02/23/cyclone-freddy-schools-shut/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chronicle |first=The |title=Cyclone Freddy: Schools to remain closed until Tuesday |url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/cyclone-freddy-schools-to-remain-closed-until-tuesday/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=The Chronicle |date=24 February 2023 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Lightning ===
[[File:Lightening strike.jpg|thumb|Lightning ]]
[[Lightning]] is associated with weather patterns whereby there is a natural [[Electric discharge|electrical discharge]] from the [[cloud]]s which occurs for a very short period and it heats the ground or earth, it is usually accompanied by a bright flash and typical thunder. Lightning may damage a lot of things and may is dangerous to livelihood.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of lightning {{!}} Dictionary.com |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/lightning |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=www.dictionary.com |language=en}}</ref>

==== Effects of lightning in Zimbabwe ====
Lightning is very harmful; it affects both livelihood as well as the [[infrastructure]]. A number of people have been hospitalized and some died due to the effects of lightning this is evidenced when lightning bolt struck and wounded 13 male [[prisoner]]s while they were having lunch at a jail in northwestern Zimbabwe,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lightning strikes 13 Zimbabwe prisoners having lunch |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/lightning-strikes-13-zimbabwe-prisoners-having-lunch-20211123 |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> and in some areas especially [[Game Park|game parks]] a number of animals have died due to lightning.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lightning turns rainy season into a nightmare – Zimbabwe Situation |url=https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/lightning-turns-rainy-season-into-a-nightmare/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |language=en-US}}</ref> Lightning also has a record of destroying infrastructure, one family in Beitbridge were left stranded as they lost their home to lightning.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lightning strikes huts in Siyoka – Zimbabwe Situation |url=https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/lightning-strikes-huts-in-siyoka/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Mitigation ====
To prevent and reduce the effects of lightning people are advised to avoid open spaces as well as standing under tall trees and to ensure that buildings have lightning protection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lightning |url=https://palmer.co.zw/electrical/lightning/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Palmer Construction Zimbabwe |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Frost ===
[[Frost]] occurs when weather patterns changes causing a deposit of small white ice crystals formed on the ground, windows, cars or other open surfaces when the temperature falls below freezing<ref>{{Cite web |title=frost |url=https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/frost |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=education.nationalgeographic.org |language=en}}</ref>

==== Effects of Frost in Zimbabwe ====
In 2021 Zimbabwe Farmers Union director Paul Zakariya confirmed to herald that a number of farmers are affected by frost as he said they had received numerous reports of [[ground frost]] that had affected several [[crop]]s across the Zimbabwean growers hit by frosty conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Several Zimbabwean growers hit by frosty conditions |url=https://www.freshplaza.com/africa/article/9336859/several-zimbabwean-growers-hit-by-frosty-conditions/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=www.freshplaza.com |language=EN}}</ref> In some areas like [[Matobo District|Matobo]] wear frost often hits people are always affected by frostbites as they would have been affected by the cold.

==== Mitigation ====
[[Agriculture]] expert Mr Ivan Craig encouraged [[farmer]]s to reduce damage of crop to frost by growing crops that are less susceptible to frost in winter these are onion, peas, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot and winter cabbage among others. People who are in areas always affected by frost are encouraged to keep warm all the time to avoid developing [[frostbite]]s. Farmers could also construct a wall of [[Thatchgrass|thatch grass]] around the garden or burn [[cow dung]] around the field as this will help trap frost when it comes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Farmers advised on frost – Zimbabwe Situation |url=https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/farmers-advised-on-frost/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{CIA World Factbook}}

==External links==
{{Sister links}}
* Soil Maps of Zimbabwe [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311043047/http://eusoils.jrc.it/esdb_archive/EuDASM/africa/lists/czw.htm European Digital Archive on the Soil Maps of the world]
{{wikiatlas|Zimbabwe}}

{{Geography of Zimbabwe}}
{{Geography of Africa}}
{{Africa topic|Climate of}}
{{Zimbabwean topics}}

[[Category:Geography of Zimbabwe| ]]