Zimbabwe is a landlocked nation in southern Africa, between the Limpopo and Zambezi Rivers. Situated on a rolling plateau more than 300 metres above sea level, it has a sub-tropical climate, with warm sunny days. Annual rainfall varies from 1000mm in the eastern highlands to less than 300mm in the semi-arid lowlands.

Zimbabwe has a population of over 12.4 million (2006). Its main ethnic groups are the Shona and the Ndebele. There are much smaller groups of British and Asian origin. English is the official language, though Shona, Ndebele and other languages are spoken by various groups. Almost one-third of the people live in urban centres, the largest of which are Harare (1.2 million) and Bulawayo.

About 45 per cent of Zimbabweans are Christians. Many people retain aspects of their traditional religions, believing in the influence of ancestral spirits.

Bantu-speaking people entered this region from the north between the fifth and the tenth centuries, and pushed the previous inhabitants towards the Kalahari Desert. Extensive stone remains such as Great Zimbabwe are evidence of the skilled artisans of pre-colonial civilisations. When Portuguese explorers arrived in the 1500s, they found the Mutapa Empire controlling most of present-day Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The British South Africa Company, formed by entrepreneur Cecil Rhodes, arrived in the 1890s, aiming to dig for gold and other minerals. The Shona and the Ndebele peoples resisted the British invasion. The first chimurenga (war of liberation) was quelled in 1897. The British colony of Rhodesia was divided into Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) in 1911. Black people were excluded from the best land, forced into low-paid work for white farmers, manufacturers and mining companies, and not allowed to vote.

In 1965, Prime Minister Ian Smith proclaimed Rhodesia's independence, but denied blacks a political role. Britain refused to recognise this step. Civil war and economic and political pressures finally led to negotiations for majority rule. In 1980, Zimbabwe became independent and Robert Mugabe was elected as leader. Mugabe has remained in power, strengthening his position by uniting his party with its main rival.

Since 2000, Zimbabwe has experienced precipitous hyperinflation. By May 2006, inflation had surpassed 1,000%, by far the world's highest. Unemployment was estimated at 70% to 80%. According to the World Health Organization, Zimbabwe now has the world's lowest life expectancy.