Introduction
Rhodesia, also known as Southern Rhodesia, was a landlocked country located in southern Africa. It existed from 1965 to 1980 and was situated between the countries of South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, and Zambia. In this article, we will explore the exact location of Rhodesia on the world map and provide further details about its geographical position.
Geographical Location
Rhodesia was located in the southern part of the African continent. It was situated between the coordinates of approximately 15° and 23° south latitude and 25° and 34° east longitude. The country covered an area of around 390,580 square kilometers (150,800 square miles).
To the south of Rhodesia was South Africa, while Mozambique bordered it to the east. Botswana and Zambia were located to the west and north, respectively. The Zambezi River formed the northern border between Rhodesia and Zambia, while the Limpopo River marked the southern boundary between Rhodesia and South Africa.
Historical Context
Rhodesia was originally named after Cecil Rhodes, a British businessman and colonizer who played a significant role in the colonization of Africa. The country was initially a British colony known as Southern Rhodesia, which was established in 1923. It later declared independence from Britain in 1965, under the leadership of Prime Minister Ian Smith.
Political Changes and Renaming
In 1980, Rhodesia transitioned into an independent state known as Zimbabwe. This change came about through negotiations between the Rhodesian government and various political groups, leading to the Lancaster House Agreement. The new country was named Zimbabwe after the ancient Kingdom of Zimbabwe, which was located in the region.
Current Map
Today, if you were to look at a world map, you would not find Rhodesia listed as a separate entity. Instead, you would find Zimbabwe, the country that emerged from the political changes that took place in the late 1970s. Zimbabwe is located in the same geographical area where Rhodesia once existed.
Conclusion
Rhodesia, also known as Southern Rhodesia, was a country located in southern Africa. It existed from 1965 to 1980 and was situated between South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, and Zambia. Rhodesia later transitioned into an independent state called Zimbabwe. Today, Rhodesia is not found on world maps, as it has been replaced by the country of Zimbabwe.
References
– Britannica: britannica.com
– World Atlas: worldatlas.com
– History.com: history.com