Zimbabwe FAQ

These questions are compiled from those most frequently asked about Zimbabwe on Google.

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Geography and location

• Where is Zimbabwe located in Africa?
• Is Zimbabwe in South Africa?
• Is Zimbabwe in East Africa?
• Where is Great Zimbabwe?
• Where is Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe?
• Where is Harare in Zimbabwe?
• Where is the capital of Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe is a country generally considered part of Southern Africa, not East Africa. It’s not part of South Africa, which is a separate country. Its capital city is Harare. The second city is Bulawayo. Famous tourist sites include Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe (near Masvingo). Zimbabwe is bordered by Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana, and South Africa.

Basic facts and identity

• What is Zimbabwe famous for?
• What is the national animal of Zimbabwe?
• Which language is spoken in Zimbabwe?
• What languages are spoken in Zimbabwe?
• Do people in Zimbabwe speak Swahili?

Zimbabwe is an independent country in Southern Africa. Its national animal is the sable antelope, Which features on the National Coat of Arms. There are 16 languages officially spoken in Zimbabwe, but the main ones are Shona, Ndebele, and English.Swahili is not generally spoken in Zimbabwe, it is more common in East Africa.

History, colonialism, and politics

• Was Zimbabwe a British colony?
• Was Zimbabwe colonised?
• Who did Zimbabwe gain independence from?
• Did Zimbabwe used to be Rhodesia?
• Did Zimbabwe have apartheid?
• Was Zimbabwe communist?
• Was Zimbabwe socialist?

Zimbabwe was colonised by Britain, and was then known as Southern Rhodesia and then Rhodesia. It gained independence in 1980, which is when its name changed to Zimbabwe. After independence, the government adopted some socialist policies, but it never became an official communist state. Instead, it has remained a presidential republic.
Zimbabwe has never had the same formal apartheid system as South Africa once had.

Independence and national dates

• When is Zimbabwe Independence Day?
• When did Zimbabwe gain independence?
• When was Zimbabwe’s independence?

Zimbabwe became an independent republic on April 18, 1980. The anniversary of that date is celebrated as Zimbabwe Independence Day each year. It’s a major public holiday.

Safety and travel

• Is Zimbabwe safe?
• Is Zimbabwe safe to travel to?
• Is Zimbabwe safe to visit?
• How much money should I take to Zimbabwe?
• What currency should I take to Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe is generally considered to be safe for travelling and tourism. As in anywhere in the world, travellers should be vigilant against petty crime. The most useful currency to take is U.S. dollars, and it’s good to have small denomination notes for everyday spending.

Currency and money

• Does Zimbabwe use US dollars?
• What currency does Zimbabwe use?
• How much is the Zimbabwe dollar to USD?
• How much is a Zimbabwe dollar worth?
• Does Zimbabwe have a currency?
• Did Zimbabwe change its currency?
• What is the Zimbabwe currency called?
• Why does Zimbabwe use the US dollar?
• Should I buy Zimbabwe currency?
• Will Zimbabwe’s currency revalue?
• Are Zimbabwe dollars worth anything?
• Are Zimbabwe banknotes worth anything?
• Are Zimbabwe bonds worth anything?
• Did Zimbabwe revalue its currency?

Zimbabwe has had multiple currencies in recent decades. Since the hyperinflation in the late 2000s, a multi-currency system was introduced and the US dollar was widely used. However, most of the other currencies are now more collectors’ items than usable money. The two currencies most useful now are the US dollar and the ZiG.

Inflation and hyperinflation

• Why is Zimbabwe’s inflation so high?
• Why did Zimbabwe’s currency collapse?
• Why did Zimbabwe have hyperinflation?
• Did Zimbabwe have hyperinflation?
• When was Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation?
• How did Zimbabwe recover from hyperinflation?

Zimbabwe experienced severe hyperinflation between 2007 and 2009, one of the worst ever in the world. The crisis ended when the country adopted the use of the US dollar, which allowed prices to stabilise. Despite this, there have been bouts of high inflation since then.

Citizenship and law

• Does Zimbabwe allow dual citizenship?
Zimbabwe, under its current constitution, allows dual citizenship for its citizens by birth. There may be different rules for people who became citizens through naturalisation.

Sport

• When did Zimbabwe start playing cricket?
Zimbabwe has been playing cricket since the late 1800s. It became a member. It gained Test status in 1992. Cricket remains one of the most popular sports in Zimbabwe.