Harare

Harare is a big city in Zimbabwe.

It sits on high, flat land. This land is called a plateau.

The city used to have a different name. It was called Salisbury. Now it is named Harare.

Many people live and work here. It is a center for trade and art. It is also a place for schools.

Large buildings stand in the city. One is a tall tower for banks.

Many people visit for work.

Harare is a very important place in its land.

Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe.

It sits in the north-east part of the country. The city is on a high, flat area called a plateau.

The weather here is subtropical highland. This means it is not too hot or too cold.

Many people live in Harare. About 1,849,600 people live in the city. Even more people live in the area around it.

The city is a big center for business and art. It has many banks and schools. It is also a place for many different kinds of trade.

Harare has a long history. A group called the Pioneer Column founded it in 1890. At first, they called it Fort Salisbury. The city was renamed Harare in 1982.

This was to celebrate Zimbabwe's independence. The city has many famous buildings. One is the New Reserve Bank Tower. Another is the Parliament House. The city also has a large airport for travelers.

Harare is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe.

It sits in the north-eastern part of the country. The city is located in the Mashonaland region. It rests on a high, flat area called a plateau.

The weather here is subtropical highland. This means the temperature stays in a comfortable range. The city is part of a larger province. This province includes the city and towns like Chitungwiza, Epworth, and Ruwa.

Many people live in and around the city. The 2022 census counted 1,849,600 people in the city itself. About 2,487,209 people live in the whole metropolitan province.

Harare is a very busy place for business and trade. It is a center for finance, farming, and mining. The city also has many schools and hospitals. It is a place for art, culture, and tourism. It even has the second-highest number of embassies in Southern Africa.

Harare has a long and changing history. A group called the Pioneer Column founded the city in 1890.

They first called the place Fort Salisbury. They named it after a British Prime Minister named Lord Salisbury. The city became a municipality in 1897. Later, it officially became a city in 1935. For a long time, it was the capital of Southern Rhodesia. In 1982, the city was renamed Harare. This name comes from a village near Harare Kopje. It was named after a Shona chief named Neharawa.

There are many important buildings to see in the city.

The Parliament House is a very famous site. The New Reserve Bank Tower is another major landmark.

The city has also hosted big international events. These include the 1995 All-Africa Games and the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Some people might know the city for its sports. It is home to Dynamos FC, a famous football club. The city also has the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Harare has faced many hard times in recent years. The city dealt with economic problems and high inflation.

Some parts of the city struggled with basic services like rubbish collection. In 2011, a poll named it the least livable city in the world. However, the city has also seen periods of growth. Many people are moving to new suburbs on the edges of the city. These areas include places like Borrowdale and Mount Pleasant. The city continues to change as more people arrive.

Harare is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe. It serves as a vital hub for the nation's commerce, government, and culture. The city is located in the north-eastern part of Zimbabwe within the Mashonaland region. It sits upon a high plateau at an elevation of 1,490 meters above sea level. This elevation contributes to a subtropical highland climate.

The Harare Metropolitan Province includes the city and several municipalities, such as Chitungwiza, Epworth, and Ruwa. As of the 2022 census, the city proper had a population of 1,849,600. The entire metropolitan province is home to an estimated 2,487,209 people.

The history of the city began with the Pioneer Column. This was a small military force from the British South Africa Company. They founded the settlement on September 12, 1890.

The founders originally named the site Fort Salisbury. They chose this name to honor Lord Salisbury, who was the British Prime Minister at the time. The settlement was declared a municipality in 1897 and officially became a city in 1935.

Over time, the city's political role changed frequently. It was the seat of the Southern Rhodesian government and later the capital of the Central African Federation from 1953 to 1963.

A major turning point occurred in 1980 when Zimbabwe gained independence from the United Kingdom. On April 18, 1982, the city was officially renamed Harare. This name was taken from a village near Harare Kopje. That village was named after a Shona chief named Neharawa, whose nickname meant "he who does not sleep."

This renaming marked the second anniversary of the country's independence. Since then, the city has remained a center for many important sectors. These include finance, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and mining. It also hosts the African headquarters of the World Health Organization.

Economic shifts have significantly shaped the city's modern landscape. Following the Second World War, Salisbury experienced rapid expansion. This growth was driven by its role as a federation capital and increased immigration from Great Britain and Southern Africa. New suburbs like Alexandra Park and Mount Pleasant grew due to rising motor vehicle ownership.

However, the city also faced severe economic challenges in the early 21st century. Periods of hyperinflation and political crises caused significant hardship. In 2009, an Economist Intelligence Unit poll ranked Harare as the world's toughest city to live in. This ranking was based on factors like stability, infrastructure, and healthcare.

Despite these difficulties, Harare remains a significant international location. It holds the second-highest number of embassies in Southern Africa. The city has hosted major global events, such as the 1995 All-Africa Games and the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

It is also a center for notable architecture and art. The Eastgate Centre is an example of innovative design, and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe is a key cultural site.

Even the skyline has changed with major projects like the New Reserve Bank Tower.

The New Parliament Building was also recently completed in Mount Hampden.

Urban development in Harare is currently characterized by significant growth and change. The city has seen massive population increases compared to other Zimbabwean cities like Bulawayo or Gweru. New development is occurring on the urban fringes in areas like Borrowdale and Mount Pleasant Heights.

At the same time, inner city areas like Avondale and Belgravia are undergoing gentrification. This process involves increased investment from foreign buyers and the Zimbabwean diaspora. This trend has led to high property prices and rising rents. Some experts predict the metropolitan population could reach between 4 and 5 million by the year 2025.

Harare connects many different systems within Zimbabwe and the wider region. It acts as the primary link for regional affairs and international diplomacy. The city's economic health is closely tied to the national banking and agricultural sectors. While the city faces challenges with unemployment and infrastructure, it remains a central point for international investment. The city continues to evolve through both economic speculation and significant urban sprawl. This ongoing movement defines the modern character of the capital.