Zimbabwe
20 00 S, 30 00 E
lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m
highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m
total: 3,066 km
border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km
recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare
coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals
arable land: 8.24%
permanent crops: 0.33%
other: 91.43% (2005)
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
Although located in the tropics, temperate conditions prevail all year, as the climate is moderated by altitude and the inland position of the country. The hot and dry season is from September to October, and the rainy season from November to March. The best months to visit are April to May and August to September. Night-time temperatures can fall below freezing.
Required clothing
Light- to mediumweights with warmer clothes for evenings and rainwear for the wet season.
time difference: UTC+2
