Harare

Harare is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe, located in the north-eastern part of the country in Harare Province. The city serves as Zimbabwe's administrative, commercial and communications centre, with a metropolitan population of approximately 2.1-million people. Harare is the economic hub of Zimbabwe, hosting the headquarters of most major companies, financial institutions and the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. The city's economy is driven by manufacturing, mining services, agriculture, finance and telecommunications sectors. Key infrastructure includes Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, which connects the city to regional and international destinations. Harare is also home to the University of Zimbabwe, the country's oldest and largest tertiary institution. The city was founded in 1890 as Fort Salisbury by the Pioneer Column of the British South Africa Company and was named after British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury. It was renamed Harare in 1982, two years after Zimbabwe gained independence, taking its name from the Shona chief Neharawa who controlled the area before colonial settlement. Despite economic challenges in recent decades, Harare remains Zimbabwe's primary centre for business, government and international engagement.