Zimbabwe, officially known as the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It shares borders with Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. The country has a total area of 390,757 square kilometers (150,872 square miles) and is characterized by high plateaus and mountains in the eastern region. Zimbabwe gained international recognition and achieved independence on April 18, 1980, following a long period of colonial rule and a 15-year period of white-dominated minority rule. The capital city of Zimbabwe is Harare, formerly known as Salisbury. The country operates under a parliamentary democracy, with the president serving as the chief of state and the prime minister as the head of government. With an estimated population of 15,464,000 in 2023, Zimbabwe’s economy is a mixed one, with limited private freedom and significant government control. It is a member of regional organizations such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Zimbabwe’s rich history, diverse geography, and political system make it a significant country on the African continent.