Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe. It lies at an altitude of 1,483m (4,865 feet) in the northeastern part of the country and has a temperate climate.

It was founded in 1890. Harare was earlier called Salisbury after Lord Salisbury, the British Prime minister. This grew into a municipality in 1897. After the creation of the railway from Beira, Mozambique, this city grew significantly. Harare, or rather Salisbury, was the colony capital of Southern Rhodesia, of the Federation of Rhodesia - which lasted for a short time - and Nyasaland, which lasted from 1953 to 1963. It was also the capital Rhodesia from 1965 to 1979. In 1980, the government of independent Zimbabwe renamed it as Harare and made it their capital.

Harare is the commercial and industrial center of Zimbabwe. It is also a transportation center, serving as a junction for air, road and rail travel. There are important gold mines in the surrounding areas. Moreover, agricultural produce from the surrounding areas, like Victoria tobacco, come to Harare for distribution.

Harare supports a population of over 680,000. The city contains many churches, libraries and museums, as well as the University of Zimbabwe and the national archives.

[ Western Africa - Northern Africa - Eastern Africa ]
[ Central Africa - Southern Africa - the African Islands ]

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