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Along the eastern border is a mountainous range, the Eastern Highlands, which rises to a maximum elevation of 2,592 m (8,504 ft) at Inyangani. Apart from the Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe’s terrain is predominantly gently undulating, except for a narrow belt of rugged hills associated with fault lines along the Zambezi valley. There is also the Great Dyke, made up of hard, intrusive rocks, which runs some 480 km (298 mi) roughly north-south through the centre of Zimbabwe, and gives rise to prominent ranges of hills; the Great Dyke contains many of Zimbabwe’s rich mineral deposits.
A Rivers and Lakes
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A number of short rivers rise in the Highveld. Of these rivers the Shangani and Sanyati flow north, and the Sabi and Lundi flow south. Just downstream from the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi is Lake Kariba, which was formed behind the Kariba Dam. It is one of the world’s largest artificial lakes and lies astride the country’s north-western border with Zambia.
B Climate
Although Zimbabwe lies in the tropics, its climate is considerably moderated by both altitude and distance from the sea. The average temperature is 15.6° C (60° F) in July (winter), and 21.1° C (70° F) in January (summer). The average annual rainfall is about 890 mm (35 in) in the Highveld and less than 610 mm (24 in) in most parts of the Middle Veld. Most rainfall occurs between October and March. There is a tendency towards drought, though in 1997 rainfall in Zimbabwe was the highest for ten years.
C Plants and Animals
Antelope in Zimbabwe The savannas of Zimbabwe are home to a variety of wildlife. Here, a roan antelope stoops for a drink along the banks of a small stream.Bart O'Gara
The land of Zimbabwe is primarily covered with savannah; a particularly lush grass grows during the moist summers. Forests are found only in limited areas along the eastern border and in the wettest areas of the Highveld. A rich variety of wildlife includes elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, lion, hyena, crocodile, antelope, impala, giraffe, zebra, and baboon. Zimbabwe has taken a lead in wildlife conservation in Africa, and especially in the protection of the rhinoceros and elephant. It has helped pioneer new approaches to conservation, including giving local people an economic stake in the preservation of endangered species, and the development of wildlife ranching.
