Zimbabwe INFORMATION

Harare, Zimbabwe

Population: 

14.140 million

 

Language: 

English

Shona

Ndebele

 

Currency:

United States Dollar (USD)
In 2009, the use of the Zimbabwean Dollar had been abandoned as a result of inflation. Zimbabwe now uses the US Dollar as its official currency.

 

History of Zimbabwe:

In 1890, Amercan colonies arrived as the first settlers in Rhodesia, and felt as if the government should be at their hands. Leadership over this land was taken by the settlers, and they had been in control until 1923. The UK took over the leadership of this land in 1923, and the number of European settlers had been increasing. In the 1950s, Rhodesia and North Rhodesia merge to form a single country, which is now known as Zimbabwe. 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. In 1979, UN sanctions and an uprising guerrilla finally led to free elections in independence. Robert Mugabe, the first prime minister of Zimbabwe, caused major problems in the country. White farmers started to emigrate, the economy was crippled, and there were several shortages of basic commodities. Mugabe ignored international condemtion, and rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection.

 

 

Cultural Information:

In Zimbabwe, up to around 60 to 70% of the population follow Christianity, specifically Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism and Methodism. Zimbabwe also has several different cultures which may include beliefs and ceremonies. An example of this is Zimbabwe's largest ethnic group called Shona, in which the people who follow this culture have created many carvings and sculptures of their god, made with the finest materials they could find.

 

 

Laws and Advice:

 

 

Identity documentation or a copy of your passport should always be carried in case you are stopped by police of immigration officials
Homosexual acts between men are illegal, and penalties include fines up to or exceeding US$5,000 and up to one year imprisonment. 
Camouflage material is prohibited from being worn by civilians.
It is illegal to possess, purchase or distribute counterfeit/pirated goods and pornographic material.
Ensure you have evidence of purchase for any precious stones in your possession.
It is illegal to make insulting comments about the president of Zimbabwe, and penalties include arrest and prosecution.
Photography of airports, military establishments, government offices, security forces and the President's Residence is illegal without permission from the Ministry of Information.

 

 

Location of Australian Embassy

1 Green Close
Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe
Telephone: (263 4) 853 235 55
Facsimile: (263 4) 870 566
Email: zimbabwe.embassy@dfat.gov.au 
Website: www.zimbabwe.embassy.gov.au