Administrative Divisions
Provinces are constituent political entities of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe currently has ten provinces, two of which are cities with provincial status: Harare and Bulawayo. As a unitary state, Zimbabwe’s provinces only have the authority that the national government chooses to grant them. The Constitution of Zimbabwe delineates provincial governance and powers.After constitutional amendments in 1988, provinces were administered by a governor directly appointed by the President of Zimbabwe. Since the 2013 constitutional changes, there are technically no longer provincial governors, though in practice they remain in place as Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs.
Historical Context
With the establishment of Company rule in Rhodesia in the 1890s, the country was divided into two provinces: Matabeleland in the west and Mashonaland in the east. Under British colonial rule as Southern Rhodesia, the colony was divided into five provinces. Later, the Rhodesian government expanded the number of provinces to seven: Manicaland, Matabeleland North and South, Mashonaland North and South, Midlands, and Victoria (today Masvingo).
In the 1980s, Mashonaland North and South were reorganized to become three provinces (Mashonaland Central, East and West). A significant event in the formation of the modern provinces was Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. This marked the end of colonial rule and the establishment of a new government, which led to the reorganization of administrative divisions.
Zimbabwe's Provinces and Their Key Features
Here is a look at each of Zimbabwe's provinces:- Harare Province: Zimbabwe’s largest province in terms of population. With more than two million residents in 2012, it is the location of Harare, the capital city.
- Bulawayo: Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, is known for its colonial architecture, museums, and botanical gardens.
- Manicaland: Home to the Eastern Highlands, a picturesque region with lush forests, waterfalls, and national parks.
- Matabeleland North: The biggest province in Zimbabwe by area. It has a total area of 75,025 square kilometers. Matabeleland North is famous for the Hwange National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa.
- Matabeleland South: Known for its vast cattle ranches and the Matopos Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Mashonaland East: A fertile agricultural region with tea plantations and citrus orchards.
- Mashonaland Central: A mountainous province with national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
- Midlands: A diverse province with a mix of agricultural land, mining areas, and national parks.
- Masvingo: Formerly known as Fort Victoria, is a city in southeastern Zimbabwe and the capital of Masvingo Province.
- Mashonaland West: Chinhoyi, formerly known as Sinoia, is a city in north-central Zimbabwe, located approximately 115-120 km northwest of Harare. Chinhoyi Caves National Park is the most prominent and iconic landmark in Chinhoyi.
Victoria Falls Tour Itinerary - Zimbabwe Travel
Some provinces are named after specific regions or landmarks within their borders. Several provinces are named after the dominant ethnic groups that have historically lived there. In some cases, provinces are named after the primary natural resources found in the area.
Urban centers like Harare and Bulawayo grew rapidly after independence in 1980, drawing youth in search of education and employment.
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Zimbabwe's Natural and Cultural Highlights
A spine of the Eastern Highlands lifts the terrain, featuring peaks that reach over 2,500 m. In the lowveld to the north and east, the climate shifts to hotter, more tropical conditions, with the Zambezi River carving deep gorges and flooding the floodplains each rainy season.
The Shona, who constitute over 70 percent of the population, anchor cultural expressions in language, music, and spirituality.
Zimbabwe’s human story stretches back millennia, evidenced by the stone ruins at Great Zimbabwe (11th-15th centuries), once a hub of gold trade reaching the Indian Ocean.
Historically dubbed the “breadbasket of Africa,” its commercial farms produce tobacco, maize, and cotton. Energy often relies on hydroelectric power from Kariba Dam, but periodic droughts compromise output, leading to frequent blackouts. Road networks link major cities, yet secondary routes can degrade quickly in heavy rains.
Shona sculptors have gained international acclaim for their stone carvings, while the Ndebele continue to embellish homes with geometric mural art and beadwork. Traditional ceremonies-harvest festivals, initiation rites and ancestral offerings-provide communal anchors.
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For many visitors, Zimbabwe is synonymous with Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At peak flow, the spray can be seen from 40 km away, earning it the local name “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (The Smoke That Thunders). Adventure seekers kayak through the Batoka Gorge rapids, spot lions during dawn drives, or explore ancient ruins at Khami and Great Zimbabwe.
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