The city of Harare

• According to the 2012 census:
• Harare has a population of 2 098 199 people.
• With a male population of: 1 011 831
• And a female population of: 1 086 368
• It is Zimbabwe’s administrative capital and largest city.
• It is the focal point of all roads, rail and air routes in Zimbabwe.
• It was established in 1890 by colonialists on Chief Neharava’s land.
• It was initially named Fort Salisbury after the then British Prime Minister.
• It was developed around the Kopje area which was further from the wet malaria infested areas of the Mukuvisi river.
• It was later moved to Causeway where there was ample land for the development of government when it was turned into the capital in 1902.
• It was granted municipal status in 1897.
• The railway line reached Harare in 1899 from Beira.
• Harare was linked with Bulawayo by rail in 1902
• It became a city in 1935.
• It was the capital of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1953-1963
• It grew rapidly after the Second World War.
• Industries sprouted up including motor assembling, trucks, radios, furniture etc.
• Harare is also Zimbabwe’s largest commercial center.
• It is also the country’s financial center where most of the banks are found.
• The structure of Harare
• Harare consists of a CBD which forms the city’s commercial hub.
• It has developed a few industrial zones mainly to the south, south west and east of the CBD.
• Most industries are also found along railway lines.
• High density suburbs are found next to the industrial areas for example Highfields near Willowvale.
• These are the low income residential areas.
• They are mostly found to the south-west and west of the CBD.
• The high density of Mabvuku, Tafara and Epworth are found on the Eastern fringes of Harare
• They mainly provide domestic labour to the low density suburbs such as Greendale, Mandara and Chisipiti.
• The medium and low density residential zones are mainly located on the north and eastern sectors of the city way from the industries and high density residential areas.
• The low density suburbs are spacious and large.
• They are usually located on large well maintained gardens.
• Sub-urban shopping centers have developed in these areas to service residents for example Sam Levy in Borrowdale.
• Several dormitory towns have also developed around the City including:
• Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Norton.
• These are mainly residential, these towns are also turning into industrial zones and have sub-urban shopping centers of their own.

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page