Zimbabwe Capital City, About Harare Tourism and Travel

(Zimbabwe, ZW, Southern Africa)

Known as the 'Sunshine City', Harare is one of Southern Africa's wealthiest capitals. It is also the largest urban centre in Zimbabwe. Situated in the north-eastern part of the country, Harare is known for its good weather, and beautiful parks and gardens. Everyday city life is set against a richly multi-cultural backdrop.

The present-day city of Harare is derived from its earliest Shona inhabitants. Under the leadership of their chief Neharawe, they settled and controlled the marshes that surrounded the Kopje.

In 1890, the British South Africa Company arrived in Harare and seized control of the area. Renamed Fort Salisbury in honour of the British prime minister at that time, the settlement was seen by the new colonists as an ideal place to set up farms and a plentiful source of gold.

Tourism and General Information

In 1897, the city was named as a municipality. With the arrival of the railway from Mozambique, Harare grew at quite a pace. In 1935, it was officially declared a city. Between 1953 and 1963, Salisbury was also the capital of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and from 1965 to 1979, the capital of Rhodesia.

Following Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, the city was renamed Harare. It was kept on as the capital and seat of government of independent Zimbabwe.

Harare is the hub around which Zimbabwe's industry and commerce revolve. The city itself is home to over 1.5 million people. Located atop the Highveld plateau, Harare is a well-planned city. It has a mixture of high-rise office blocks and historic buildings that date back to colonial times. Interspersed are tree-lined avenues, and numerous green spaces and sculptures.

Greater Harare consists of the city centre and residential suburbs, such as Mount Pleasant, Borrowdale and Avondale. The latter was established in the early years of the 20th century. Industrial suburbs include Workington, Graniteside and Southerton.

Top tourist attractions in Harare include the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, the Harare Gardens, the National Botanical Gardens and the Mukuvisi Woodlands.