Beachcomber

The fortunes of Zimbabwe have for more than two decades been tied to President Robert Mugabe, the pro-independence campaigner who wrested control from a small white community and became the country's first black leader.

• Full name: Republic of Zimbabwe
• Population: 13.3 million (UN, 2007)
• Capital: Harare
• Area: 390,759 sq km (150,873 sq miles)
• Major language: English (official), Shona, Sindebele
• Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
• Life expectancy: 44 years (men), 43 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 Zimbabwe dollar = 100 cents
• Main exports: Tobacco, cotton, agricultural products, gold, minerals
• GNI per capita: US $340 (World Bank, 2006)
• Internet domain: .zw
• International dialling code: +263