Geography of Zimbabwe
Location
Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia.
Geographic Coordinates
20 00 S, 30 00 E
Geographical Area
Land
386,670 Sq Km.
Water
3,910 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
3,066 Km.
Border Countries
Botswana
813 Km.
South Africa
225 Km.
Zambia
797 Km.
Mozambique
1,231 Km.
Length of Coastline
Unknown
Terrain
Mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east.
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m
Highest Point
Inyangani 2,592 m
Natural Resources
Coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals.
Land Use
Arable Land
8%
Permanent Crops
0%
Other
91%
Irrigated Land
1,740 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare.
Environmental 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.
