Harare

Harare is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe. It covers an area of 982.3 km² and has a population of over 1.8 million people. The city is located in north-eastern Zimbabwe on a plateau at an elevation of 1,483 metres above sea level.

Harare was founded in 1890 by a small military force and was originally named Fort Salisbury. It was later renamed Harare in 1982 to honor the country's independence. Today, Harare is an important center for commerce, government, and many other activities, including healthcare, education, and culture.

The city has hosted major international events and is home to the African headquarters of the World Health Organization. Harare is also known for its football club, Dynamos FC, which has won many titles in Zimbabwean football.

History

See also: Timeline of Harare

"Fort Salisbury" redirects here; not to be confused with Fort at Salisbury Point.

Early colonial history

The Pioneer Column, a group of settlers led by Cecil Rhodes, started the city on September 12, 1890, as a fort. They called it Fort Salisbury after The 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time. Later, the city became simply known as Salisbury. A polo club began there in 1896. Salisbury became an official municipality in 1897 and a city in 1935.

When the city was first built, the area had poor drainage. The first buildings were along a stream, where an important road now runs. The first well-drained area was named Causeway, and today it holds many important government buildings, like the Senate House. After a change in leadership in 1988, the President’s office moved there.

Salisbury was the center for the British colony of Southern Rhodesia starting in 1923.

Post-war period

After the Second World War, Salisbury grew quickly because it became the capital of a larger group of countries. This brought new people and ideas from Great Britain, Southern Africa, and parts of Southern Europe. Many new homes were built, but some areas, especially Highfield, became very crowded.

1960s and 1970s

In 1963, the group of countries led by Salisbury broke apart. In 1965, Ian Smith declared Rhodesia independent, keeping Salisbury as its capital. Later, it became Zimbabwe Rhodesia, and finally, in 1980, it was recognized as the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Post-independence years

After Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, the city grew with new schools, hospitals, and businesses. The city was renamed Harare in 1982, after a nearby village. Important buildings like the Eastgate Centre and the New Reserve Bank Tower showed this growth.

Harare hosted important meetings, like a major international event in 1986 and a meeting of leaders from many countries in 1991.

Economic difficulties and challenges

In the early 2000s, Harare faced hard times with economic troubles. Services like cleaning streets and fixing roads became rare in poorer areas. In 2005, the government removed many informal homes, saying it was to reduce crime and disease.

Economic uncertainty

In 2010, a tall building called Joina City Tower opened after many delays. At first, not many people used it, but by 2013, more offices and shops were filling up.

In 2017, a big protest in Harare led to the end of long-time leader Robert Mugabe.

Contemporary Harare

Since the 2000s, Harare has grown again, with new homes and businesses on the edges of the city. Some older areas have become more expensive. Despite these changes, many people still struggle to find jobs.

In 2020, Harare was given a rank among world cities. In 2026, heavy rains caused flooding in many parts of Harare.

Demographics

As of 2026, Harare has a population of 2,504,409 in its metropolitan area. About 90% of the people in Harare are Shona-speaking people of African descent. The city is also home to many Ndebele and Kalanga people, as well as many white Zimbabweans.

Harare has had a large Black Zimbabwean population since it was founded. Most came from across the country looking for better chances. In the past, African residents made up about half of the city's population. Since 1980, this number has grown to about 90%, while the number of white people has gone down. Other groups, like Asians and Coloured Zimbabweans, have stayed the same or grown only a little.

As of the 2022 census, there were about 81,734 immigrants living in Harare. Many come from places like Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Zambia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, parts of East Africa, and China. A lot of Malawians live in areas like Highfields and Mbare.

Geography

Topography

Harare sits on a higher part of a big flat area called the Highveld in Zimbabwe. It is quite high up, about 1,483 metres or 4,865 feet above sea level. The land around Harare looks like a wild park. The soil changes in different parts of the city. In the north and middle areas, the soil is a reddish-brown colour and feels grainy. In the south, the soil is more grey with sand over lighter soil.

Suburbs

Harare is split into different parts called suburbs. Outside the main city, there are other smaller areas like Epworth, Mount Hampden, Norton, Ruwa, and Chitungwiza, all part of the bigger Harare area.

The middle of Harare, called the central business district, has wide streets and many different kinds of buildings, old and new. You can see important places like Africa Unity Square, Harare Gardens, the National Gallery, and government buildings there. Causeway is a busy road with many important offices and places.

In the north and north-east, Harare has richer neighbourhoods with bigger houses, often called “dales” because of names like Avondale and Borrowdale. These areas have homes with three or more bedrooms, usually for families.

Climate

Harare has a cool climate because it is high up and the air is moving from the south-east. The yearly temperature averages around 18°C, which is quite mild. The city has three main seasons: a warm, wet time from November to March or April; a cool, dry time from May to August; and a warm, dry time in September and October. Rain falls mostly from October to April, and the city can sometimes have heavy storms in the rainy season. The weather supports trees and plants, including special trees like the msasa, jacaranda, and flamboyant that add colour to the city.

Economy

Harare is the main financial and business hub of Zimbabwe. It handles trade in important crops like tobacco, maize, cotton, and citrus fruits. The city also makes products such as textiles, steel, and chemicals, and trades valuable minerals like gold, diamonds, and platinum.

In the 2000s and early 2010s, Harare saw a big increase in building, especially in the richer northern areas. This growth slowed down because of higher interest rates in 2019 and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many skilled people have left Harare for other countries, looking for better opportunities, which has made it harder for the city to grow. Despite these challenges, Harare still has strong infrastructure and educated people compared to many other cities in Africa and Latin America.

Transportation

Harare is a city that grew quickly after the country became independent. Because of this, it mainly has roads for cars and not many good public transportation choices. Many people use informal minibus taxis to get around. There are also ridesharing apps like GTaxi and Hwindi, but they are often too expensive for everyday use. Bus services exist but mostly connect different cities rather than places within Harare.

Harare has different types of taxis. Some are metered taxis that you need to call ahead, and others are share taxis called "kombis" that many people use daily. Currently, Harare does not have any passenger train services. In the past, there were trains to places like Mutare and Bulawayo, but these stopped running during the COVID-19 pandemic and haven’t started again. Long-distance buses connect Harare to many parts of Zimbabwe. The city is also linked by a major highway to Lusaka and Beira. The largest airport in Zimbabwe, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, serves Harare.

Education

Harare is home to the University of Zimbabwe. Founded in 1952, it is the oldest and largest university in the country. The university offers many programs for students who are studying for the first time and for those who want to learn more after finishing their first studies. Many students attend the university, with most studying for their first degrees and some working on advanced studies.

Sports

Harare is known as Zimbabwe's main city for sports. It has many places to watch and play sports, and lots of people enjoy taking part. The city has more professional sports teams than any other city in Zimbabwe.

Football is the most popular sport in Harare. Many players from the city have gone on to play in big leagues around the world. Cricket and rugby are also popular, especially among families who can afford them.

In 1995, Harare hosted most of the All-Africa Games, sharing the event with other cities in Zimbabwe. It also hosted some matches during the 2003 Cricket World Cup and the ICC Cricket 2018 World Cup Qualifier matches.

Harare has important sports places like Harare Sports Club Ground, where many cricket matches happen. The city is also home to famous football clubs and two main stadiums: National Sports Stadium and Rufaro Stadium.

Popular teams

The following table shows the major sports teams in the Harare area.

Media

Harare is home to many of Zimbabwe's most important news sources. The Herald is the city's oldest newspaper, started in 1893. Over time, it has been closely controlled by the government.

Other newspapers in Harare are more independent. These include The Financial Gazette, known for its pink pages, Zimbabwe Independent, known for its investigative work, and NewsDay, among others. There are also many online news sites.

The main free TV channel in Harare is owned by the government, but new private channels are starting to appear. Many families watch satellite TV for entertainment and news. Harare has many radio stations, both government-run and private, offering music, talk shows, and sports in English, Shona, and Ndebele.

Notable institutions

Harare is home to many important places. Some of these include 44 Harvest House, the Eastgate Centre, and Econet Wireless. Other notable spots are Gwanzura, Mbare Musika, and Parirenyatwa Hospital. The city also has the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, St. George's College, Harare, Sam Nujoma Street, and the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.

Culture

Harare has a lively cultural scene that includes music, art, and theatre. Many artists and writers have used their work to speak out about important issues, and people in the city support these efforts. The city hosts the Harare International Festival of the Arts, which has featured famous performers from around the world.

Harare has several interesting museums and monuments. The National Gallery of Zimbabwe shows beautiful stone sculptures, while the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences tells the story of Southern Africa's past. There are also places to learn about the country's history and honor those who have served it. The Chapungu Sculpture Park displays wonderful works by local sculptors, and the Eastgate Centre is a unique shopping mall with special design features. The city is also home to several pipe bands, adding to its musical traditions.

Green spaces

Harare is known as Zimbabwe's "Sunshine City" because it has many parks and outdoor spaces. These parks and gardens are spread throughout the city, especially near the main area, and they feature many different kinds of plants and trees, beautiful paths for walking, and streets lined with trees.

Some of the well-known green spaces in Harare include the National Botanical Gardens, which grows plants from Southern Africa, the Royal Harare Golf Course, Cleveland Dam Recreational Park, and Mukuvisi Woodlands, which has animals like zebras and giraffes along with many native plants. There are also other nice places nearby, such as Lake Chivero Dam and Recreational Park.

Places of worship

Harare has many places where people can worship, and most of them are Christian churches and temples. Some of the Christian groups with places of worship in Harare include the Kingdom Prosperity Ministries, Assemblies of God, Baptist Convention of Zimbabwe, Reformed Church in Zimbabwe, Church of the Province of Central Africa, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Harare, and The United Methodist Church.

Sister cities

Harare works together with several towns around the world in friendly partnerships. These towns include:

• Cincinnati in the United States
• Guangzhou in China
• Kazan in Russia
• Lago in Italy
• Maputo in Mozambique
• Munich in Germany
• Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand
• Nottingham in the United Kingdom
• Prato in Italy
• Windhoek in Namibia

Notable

Kirsty Coventry served as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee.