Top5 Amazing Facts About Zimbabwe That Will Shock You

In this article we will explore amazing facts about Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a unique country often overlooked when people think of Africa. It is landlocked and does not have long sandy beaches but is rich in majestic rivers, natural wonders, and a diverse culture. The country covers an area of 150,870 square miles and is located between the Zambezi River to the north and the Limpopo River to the south. It is bordered by Mozambique to the east, South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, and Zambia to the north.

One interesting feature is the Caprivi Strip at Zimbabwe’s far western corner, where Zimbabwe and Namibia are very close but do not share a land border. A short boat ride across the Zambezi River connects the two countries. Zimbabwe has a population of about 17 million people and is notable for having an impressive 16 official languages, making it one of the most multilingual countries in the world. This diversity means that many people in Zimbabwe need to know multiple languages to communicate effectively. So let’s begin.

5) Rhodesia or Zimbabwe

One of the amazing facts about Zimbabwe is that before 1980, Zimbabwe was named Rhodesia, after British colonist Cecil Rhodes. Rhodesia included what are now Zimbabwe and Zambia, with Zambia formerly known as North Rhodesia and Zimbabwe as South Rhodesia. Since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, many older people, especially outside Zimbabwe, still refer to it as Rhodesia.

4) Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park is one of the amazing facts about Zimbabwe, named after the Shona word for “four,” spans 219,600 hectares in Northern Zimbabwe. It is named for the four main pools formed by the Zambezi River’s meanderings. The southern part of the Zambezi runs through the park, causing occasional floods that attract wildlife and make it a popular tourist destination. The park, which includes the Sapi and Chewore Safari areas, became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. It was also voted as the top traveler’s choice safari destination among Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

3) Largest Tobacco Producers

One of the amazing facts about Zimbabwe is that Zimbabwe is one of the largest tobacco producers globally and the top producer of tobacco leaf in Africa. It exports 98% of its tobacco, primarily due to the many tobacco manufacturing industries that produce enough cigarettes to meet domestic demand. In the 2020 season, Zimbabwe exported tobacco worth $728 million, making it the country’s biggest export and a key part of its agricultural sector. The high number of tobacco producers and growers significantly impacts the economy and creates jobs.

2) Misheck Nyandoro

One of the amazing facts about Zimbabwe is that in Zimbabwe, a man named Misheck Nyandoro has married 16 wives and has 151 children over the past 38 years, with plans to have 30 wives and 200 children. At 70 years old, he is known as the man with the most wives in the country. He lives with his family on a 0.36 square mile plot near the mountains in Northern Zimbabwe. Surprisingly, Nyandoro claims his daily routine is to pamper his wives and that he has organized visits to each wife’s bedroom, emphasizing that he does not work for money but rather fulfills his responsibilities to them. 

Nyandoro chooses to marry younger girls, believing they are healthier and can have more children. He states that his wives are very happy, but there’s curiosity about why young girls would marry an older man. While some may think it is for financial reasons, this is only a small part of the answer. What do you think ?

1) Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is one of the amazing facts about Zimbabwe. It is recognized as the largest waterfall in the world, located on the Zambezi River, which forms a natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Originally named Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders,” it was renamed by the explorer Dr. David Livingstone in honor of Queen Victoria of England. Although it is not the tallest or widest waterfall globally, with a height of 354 feet (about a 35-story building) and a width of 5,604 feet (nearly as wide as 19 football fields), it is considered the largest when accounting for both height and width. 

The powerful cascade of water produces sounds that can be heard from 25 miles (40 km) away, and the mist rises to about 1,300 feet (400 m), which is nearly the height of the Empire State Building. Victoria Falls is often referred to as the adventure capital of the world, providing numerous thrilling activities like whitewater rafting, exploring the Victoria Bridge, cruising the Zambezi River, and bungee jumping. On special nights, visitors can see a moonbow, a unique phenomenon where moonlight creates a rainbow in the mist at night.