SOUTHERN RHODESIA The Rhodesian plateau, to which Southern Rhodesia belongs, lies between the Limpopo and the Zambesi. The greater part of the region has an elevation of over 3,000 feet ; but a considerable area, which runs from south-west to north-east, and forms the divide between the ,waters of the Zambesi and those of the Limpopo and the Sabi, is over 4,000 feet, and in places over 5,000 feet, above sea-level. To the north and to the south, the land slopes down to the valleys of the rivers between which it lies, and only there is it less than 1,000 feet in height. The greater part of the highland region is built up of granitic and metamorphic rocks. Lower down the slopes there are sedimentary formations, generally consisting of sandstones, shales, and con glomerates, covered over in many places with superficial deposits such as laterite.
Notwithstanding the fact that Rhodesia lies within the tropics, it has, on the whole, a temperate climate. Bulawayo, which has an altitude of 4,469 feet, has a mean annual temperature of 67.5° F., with a range varying from 58° F. in June to 73° F. in January ; while Salisbury, at an elevation of 4,480 feet, has a mean of 65° F. and a range from 56° F. in June and July to 69° F. in January. The rainfall, which takes place almost entirely between the beginning of November and the end of March, decreases from east to west. The greater part of Mashonaland in the north-east has between 30 and 40 inches, while Matabililand in the south-west has, as a rule, between 20 and 30 inches. The highlands are generally healthy, and it is probable that the greater part of the country with an elevation over 4,000 feet could be rendered fit, as much of it, indeed, at present is, for European settlement. At lower levels the white man is liable to contract malaria, though, when the land between 3,000 and 4,000 feet is cleared and drained, it is possible that he may be able to occupy it. Below 3,000 feet, it is unlikely that he will settle.
MINERALS.—Within the highland area is found much of the mineral wealth which at present is, and for some time to come is likely to be, the principal reason for the exploitation of the country. Gold, which is obtained both from reefs and from banket forma tions, comes first in importance, and the annual output now exceeds £2,500,000. Many of the mines lie along the route taken
by the railway between Bulawayo and Salisbury. In addition to gold, silver, lead, chrome, iron ore, and tin are all known to exist, but have been worked as yet only to a limited extent. Coal, which occurs in rocks of Permian age, is believed to be widespread over considerable areas, but the principal mines from which it is obtained at present are at Wankie, near the western frontier of Matabililand, where the annual output now amounts to about 200,000 tons. The coal from this field makes its way south for railway purposes as far as Kimberley, and a new market is opening up for it in the Katanga mining districts of the Belgian Congo.
AGRICULTURE.—Rhodesia is suitable both for arable and pastoral farming. For the former, the best districts are probably in Mashonaland, where the rainfall is heaviest, but in Matabililand also there are considerable areas of fertile soil. The principal food crops grown during the rains are maize and Kaffir corn. Wheat, which cannot be cultivated in summer, as it is liable to rust, has hitherto been sown as a winter crop on irrigated lands ; but recent reports appear to indicate that, in the damper districts at least, irrigation may safely be dispensed with. The cultivation of tobacco, which is rapidly increasing, has, in many cases, given a new importance to light granitic soils, formerly fit for pasture only. Among the fruits grown are oranges, lemons, citrons, bananas, and pineapples. But it is as a stock-raising country that Rhodesia is at present most important from an agricultural point of view. The native herds have suffered severely from various diseases within recent years, but these are being overcome ; and, at the same time, the breed of cattle is being improved by importation from abroad. The farmer now finds his principal markets in the mining districts of Rhodesia and the Belgian Congo, but it is possible that an overseas trade in frozen meat may eventually develop.
Bulawayo and Salisbury are the principal towns, but there are a number of small mining and agricultural communities scattered over the highland region.