Harare

Geography

Harare ( formerly Salisbury), estimated population 1,485,615 (1992), is the capital of Zimbabwe. The city is Zimbabwe's largest and its administrative, commercial, and communications centre. It is a trade centre for tobacco, maize, cotton, and citrus fruits. Manufactures include textiles, steel, and chemicals. Gold is mined in the area. Harare is located at 17°51′50″S, 31°1′47″E.

Despite the renaming of the city, some suburbs have retained their European names, such as Warren Park 'D', Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant, Tynwald, Rotten Row and Rietfontein.

Harare is famous for its beautiful jacaranda-lined streets, especially in the low density "Avenues" suburbs to the immediate north of the city centre.

Harare is the site of the University of Zimbabwe.

History

The city was founded in 1890 as a fort by the Pioneer Column, a mercenary force organized by Cecil Rhodes. The city was originally named Salisbury after the 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, then British prime minister. It became a city in 1935. Salisbury was the capital of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland from 1953 to 1963.

The name of the city was changed to Harare on April 18th, 1982, the second anniversary of Zimbabwean independence, taking its name from the Shona chieftain Neharawa. On March 8, 2004, Zimbabwe forces captured 64 nonuniformed armed fighters of various nationalities on an aircraft in Harare. Zimbabwe officials indicated the passage of American-funded covert fighters through African airports is commonplace. Officials said the incursions amounted to a violation of Zimbabwe's sovereignty.

Recently Harare has been adversely affected by the political and economic crisis that is currently plaguing Zimbabwe, after the contested 2002 Presidential election and 2005 parliamentary elections.

In May 2005, the Zimbabwean government destroyed the shantytowns by demolition. This caused a sharp reaction in the international community because it took place without notice nor proposal for alternative housing to the 700,000 people moved and affected by the demolition campaign. The government cited a rise of criminality and disease. The UN had decided to mobilize an international humanitarian aid, but the offer was declined by the authorities of the country, who stated that external assistance was not necessary.