|
 |
|
|
|
Rhodesia Factbook
National Flag
Introductory Statistics
Conventional long form: Republic of Rhodesia
Conventional short form: Rhodesia
Local long form: Republic of Rhodesia
Local short form: Rhodesia
Former names: Southern Rhodesia, Federation of Zambezia Rhodesia
Head of State: President Robert Goode (since 2011)
Head of Government: Prime Minister John Napier (since 2006)
Government type: Parliamentary republic
History
Founded as a colony in 1889, Rhodesia has a complex history that can be summed up in a single word: struggle. Indeed, the years prior to 1965 (the year of independence) have come to be known as the Great Rhodesian Struggle. Such hardships have nowadays come to define Rhodesians as a hardy and durable people and it is firmly apart of their national character.
Throughout its history, Rhodesia has worked hard to find and define its national identity. Founded as a white colony in a black continent, successive governments tried to carve a homeland for the settler populations. After decades of pushing for self-determination, Southern Rhodesia was founded on 1 October 1923. The white-minority governments, although democratic, struggled to survive under the pressures of the black majority demanding native rule. The nation, through hard work and determination became known for its booming agricultural economy, earning it the long-lived moniker "the breadbasket".
In 1953, Southern Rhodesia was merged with its northern neighbours, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, into the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The Federation was an attempt by the colonial powers to bring around a gradual transition to black-majority rule in the two nations. However, after a decade of federation, it became clear that the government of Southern Rhodesia was not willing to surrender its history after such hardships to create their new homeland.
The Federation broke down with the independence of Nyasaland (later Maravi) in 1963. The country was renamed the Federation of Zambezia Rhodesia but this would not last. Northern Rhodesia (later Zambezia), had been granted independence in 1963, effective in 1964. Bitter that they too had not been granted independence by the colonial powers, Southern Rhodesia (now calling itself simply "Rhodesia") embarked on a course that would prove the most enduring test on the people. In 1964, electors approved a republican constitution and the country severed its links with the colonial powers.
That same year, the Governments of Zambezia and Rhodesia began negotiating with each other over their futures. The white-minority government of Rhodesia refused to relinquish the land it had fought hard for and likewise, the Zambezians would not cut a deal that excluded the black-majority. After months of non-stop wrangling, an historic agreement was reached in October 1964. Both governments formally agreed to dissolve the federation following an agreement which became known as the "Partition".
As an independent republic, Rhodesia began an extensive but ultimately successful campaign to increase the settler population and secure the nation as a white homeland on a black continent. Between 1965 and 1995, the population of Rhodesia boomed as mainly working-class families, who were disadvantaged in their home countries, were encouraged to uproots and leave for a better life in Rhodesia. The economy played a pivotal role in the country's survival. Big businesses were encouraged to settle in the nation and over the years, this led to a transformation from a primarily agricultural economy, to an industrial and later financial economy.
Geography
Land Area: 390,757 km²
Highest point: Mt. Inyangani, 2,592m (8,504 ft)
Climate: Semi-tropical, with high rainfall in summer and little in winter. Occasionally prone to long dry spells and rarely, droughts.
Economy
Economic System: Rhodesia has long had a history of free-market economics. The government plays a small role as a regulator in the economy, although there are a few sizeable government-owned enterprises (mainly energy and mineral management companies).
Currency: Rhodesian dollar (RHD) - R$
Exchange Rate: NS$1 = R$0.62, R$1 = NS$1.61
Inflation Rate: 2.2%
GDP: R$247 billion (~NS$397 billion)
GDP per capita: R$18,286
Median income: R$21,462
Income tax rate:- <R$6,874 = 0%
- R$6,874 - R$13,036 = 20%
- R$13,036 - R$19,554 = 26%
- R$19,554 - R$29,331 = 32%
- R$29,331 - R$43,996 = 40%
- >R$43,996 =50%
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
Industries: Commerce, mining (minerals, metals, ores), natural gas, auto-mobile assembly, chemicals, foodstuffs, machinery, textiles.
Agricultural Products: grains, cereals
Military
Branches: Rhodesian Army (RA), Rhodesian Air Force (RAF), Rhodesian Special Forces (RSF), Rhodesian Territorial Army (RTA), Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).
Current Personnel:- RAF = 9,950
- Army = 30,350
- RSF = ~650
- RTA = 206,000
- CIO = 8,650
- Total = 255,600
Military personnel per 1000: 30.4
Military Expenditure (% of GDP): 2.0%
Military Expenditure: R$4.9 billion
Government and Political Structure
Official Name: Republic of Rhodesia
Government Type: Parliamentary republic, constitutional democracy
Capital: Salisbury
Administrative Divisions: 8 provinces, 2 city-provinces
Settlement: - Colony - 1889
- Self-governing colony - 1 October 1923 (Independence Day)
- Republic - 2 May 1965 (Rhodesia Day)
Constitution: Constitution of Rhodesia Act 1964
Legal System: Based primarily on English common law.
Suffrage: Universal, 18 years and over
Executive Branch: the President, a largely ceremonial post, is elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); following legislative elections, the President appoints the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition as the Prime Minister. The Cabinet is made up of Ministers chosen by the Prime Minister and appointed by the President.
Judicial Branch: the Supreme Court is made up of 9 Justices. Justices are nominated by the Prime Minister, approved by the Senate and appointed for life by the President.
Legislative Branch: bicameral Parliament of Rhodesia: an upper house, the Senate, made up of 63 appointed Senators; a lower house, the House of Assembly, made up of 128 elected Members of Parliament (MPs).
People and Population
Total Citizen Population: 8,396,760 (January 2011 est.)
Median Age: 36.8 overall; 36.0 for males and 37.6 for females
Annual Population Growth: 2.1%
Life Expectancy at Birth: Overall 80.2; 78.2 for males and 82.2 for females
Demonym: Rhodesian(s)
Ethnic Groups: Anglo-Celtic, Afrikaner, other European, African
Religions: mostly Christianity (Anglicanism, other protestantism, Roman Catholicism)
Official Languages: English (recognised minority languages: Afrikaans, Ndebele, Portguese, Shona)
Literacy: 99.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
, |
 |
Track this topic
Receive email notification when a reply has been made to this topic and you are not active on the board.
Subscribe to this forum
Receive email notification when a new topic is posted in this forum and you are not active on the board.
Download / Print this Topic
Download this topic in different formats or view a printer friendly version.
[ Script Execution time: 0.0113 ] [ 13 queries used ] [ GZIP Enabled ]
|
Close Topic Options
