Border history · 1889–2023

Zimbabwe borders over time

CShapes records 4 changes to the borders of Zimbabwe (also recorded as Rhodesia) between 1889 and 2023. It has been independent since November 11, 1965. Its territory covers 389,856 km². The largest single change came on June 11, 1891, when it gained about 655,008 km².

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Border changes
4
Area today
389,856 km²
Largest change
+655,008 km² (1891)
Status
Independent since 1965
November 11, 1965 – presentChoose a period to see its borders. The dashed line is the period before.

Timeline of Zimbabwe's borders

Each period is one border version in CShapes, with its area and the change from the period before.

  1. January 1, 1889 – June 10, 1891

    389,856 km²First recorded versionRuled by United KingdomWorld map in 1889

  2. June 11, 1891 – January 28, 1900

    1,044,864 km²+655,008 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1891

  3. January 29, 1900 – July 31, 1953

    389,856 km²−655,008 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1900

  4. January 22, 1964 – November 10, 1965

    389,856 km²±0 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1964

  5. November 11, 1965 – present

    389,856 km²±0 km²IndependentWorld map in 1966

What changed

Independence, transfers between rulers, and border changes recorded for this country.

  1. Zimbabwe appears as a territory of United Kingdom.
  2. Zimbabwe gains about 655,007 km² of territory.
  3. Zimbabwe loses about 655,007 km² of territory.
  4. Zimbabwe ceases to exist as a separate entity; its capital passes to United Kingdom.
  5. Zimbabwe reappears as a territory of United Kingdom.
  6. Zimbabwe becomes independent from United Kingdom.