It is bordered by Botswana on the west, Zambia on the north, Mozambique on the east, and South Africa on the south.
It has an estimated population of 13 million people.
Since independence from the United Kingdom in 1980, Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) has been the only ruler and has thus dominated the country’s political platform.
In recent years, the country has been gripped by a crisis over governance characterised by serious erosion of citizens’ basic rights and policy failures of monumental proportions.
Most notably, the chaotic land redistribution campaign that began in 2000 has captured international headlines.
More recently, in 2005, the demolition of houses and business premises code named “Operation Murambatsvina” (Restore Order) has compounded the very social challenges that government reportedly sought to address as it created new ones.
Against evidence that the majority affected are poor people, the action appears to serve exclusionary desires and unfortunately echoes actions of the previous colonial government.
Economic situation
Zimbabwe is one of the low income countries in Africa according to the World Development Report (WDR), 2006.
The report also reveals that 56.1 per cent of the total population lives below the US$1-a-day poverty line.
At independence, Zimbabwe had an impressive socio-economic programme with the highest education standards and best health delivery system in Africa.
Though the first ten years of independence were prosperous, this changed following the adoption of the unpopular World Bank supported structural adjustment programs which failed dismally in their attempt to develop the economy.
Social situation
With the advent of HIV and AIDS, poverty and social exclusion are worsening in Zimbabwe.
Poverty is no longer just a rural phenomenon but also increasingly urban.
Forced population displacements due to Operation Murambatsvina in urban areas and migration to the Diaspora associated with the deteriorating living standards and declining economic and political governance in Zimbabwe have seen further disintegration of livelihoods and extended family coping mechanisms.
Meanwhile, frequent droughts, chaotic land reforms and hyperinflation, have turned the country from a net exporter into a perpetual net importer of staple food.