SOUTHERN RHODESIA Southern Rhodesia, separated from Northern Rhodesia by the Zambezi river, is bounded on the north-east and east by Portuguese East Africa, on the south by the Transvaal and on the south-west and west by the Bechuanaland Protectorate. It con sists of Matabeleland and Mashonaland and covers approximately 152,000 sq. miles. The country lies between 15° 36' and 22° 25' S. and 25° 14' and 33° 4' E.
Southen Rhodesia forms part of the great South African plateau. The highest part runs from south-west to north-east and forms a broad watershed between the basin of the Zambezi and the basins of the Limpopo and Sabi. It is along this central axis that the railway runs from Plumtree, through Bu lawayo to Salisbury. In this central area the elevation ranges from above 4,000 to over 5,000 feet. On each side the elevation de creases, falling to below 2,000 about the Zambezi, and to below 1,000 ft. in the south-east. About 24% of the total area lies above 4,000 feet. The surface consists for the most part of gently undu lating plains, diversified by steep-sided hill ranges and isolated kopjes. The highest point occurs 48 m. N. of Umtali in Inyan geni Mountain, 8,25o feet. Here a definite mountain range runs north and south and forms the eastern border of the country.
The temperature varies of course with the latitude, altitude and distance from the sea. On the whole the considerable altitude partly compensates for the low latitude. Though the days are hot throughout the year the nights may frequently be cool, and frost is liable to occur during June, July and August. From the middle of August the temperature increases to its maximum in October, when the mean maximum is 85.2, taking the country as a whole. Rains and cloud usually appear about October and bring a little coolness. Sometimes the rains are late and the high tern peratures continue to be rather trying during November and De cember. The thermometer may rise to over 00° even on the high veld. During the late spring heat the relative humidity of the atmosphere may fall below 20% in the middle of the day, and at 9 A.M. is often between 3o and 4o%. The rainy season may be
said to last from October to March.
About two-thirds of the country is covered with trees and shrubs. There are comparatively few open stretches. The prevailing plant association is savannah, forming park-like territory. At favourable spots on the mountainous, eastern border, close evergreen forests occur in patches, some of the trees attaining a height of 200 feet. On the upper slopes Lussonia urn bellifera and Eugenia spp. are dominant, and here they grow to heights up to 8o feet. The so-called Rhodesian teak (native Igusi : Baikiaea plurijuga) is about 5o% harder than real teak. From the bark of the baobab the natives obtain a fine fibre which they use for making nets.
(See also SOUTH AFRICA, UNION
country is rich in antelopes, the most common species being the duiker, the stembok and the rietbok. Other herbivorous animals are the buffalo, giraffe, zebra, elephant, rhinoceros and hippopotamus. The carnivore, include the lion, leopard, cheetah and various wild cats. Crocodiles occur in the rivers. Beetles, butterflies and moths abound. White ants (termites) and locusts are troublesome. Among the largest of the birds are ostriches, secretary birds, paauws, korhaans, cranes, storks, vultures and eagles. Guinea fowl, partridge, duck, geese and teal are shot. Many of the small birds have brilliant plumage, the most distinguished being what is known as the blue jay, with a brilliant iridescent light blue colour. Good shooting is to be had, but the following are royal game, and so are protected: Eland, elephant, giraffe, gemsbok, hippopotamus, inyala, ostrich, rhinoceros, springbuck and zebra.
In 1931 the population consisted of 49,904 Eu ropeans, 1,055,000 natives, and about 4,045 Asiatic and coloured people. The natives include Amandabele, Amatshangana, Basuto and numerous tribes who are often grouped together as "Ma shona." (See separate articles.) Ninety-three per cent of the white population speaks English. A certain amount of Afrikaans, however, is spoken in the country districts.