Editing Rhodesia (section)

== Geography ==

Rhodesia is equivalent in territory to modern [[Zimbabwe]]. It was a [[landlocked country]] in [[southern Africa]], lying between latitudes [[15th parallel south|15°]] and [[23rd parallel south|23°S]], and longitudes [[25th meridian east|25°]] and [[34th meridian east|34°E]]. It was bordered by [[South Africa]] to the south, the [[Bechuanaland Protectorate]] (later [[Botswana]]) to the west and southwest, [[Zambia]] to the northwest, and [[Mozambique]] to the east and northeast. Its northwest corner was roughly {{convert|150|m|ft|sigfig=1|abbr=off}} from [[South West Africa]] (present-day [[Namibia]]), South Africa, nearly forming a four-nation [[quadripoint]]. Most of the country was elevated, consisting of a central plateau (high veld) stretching from the southwest northwards with altitudes between {{convert|1,000 and 1,600|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The country's extreme east was mountainous, this area being known as the [[Eastern Highlands]], with [[Mount Nyangani|Mount Inyangani]] as the highest point at {{convert|2,592|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

=== Climate ===

{{Main|Climate of Zimbabwe}}

Rhodesia had a [[tropical climate]] with many local variations. The southern areas were known for their heat and aridity, parts of the central plateau received frost in winter, the [[Zambezi]] valley was also known for its extreme heat and the Eastern Highlands usually experienced cool temperatures and the highest rainfall in the country. The country's rainy season was from late October to March and the hot climate was moderated by increasing altitude. The country was faced with recurring droughts, and severe storms were rare.<ref name="Baughan, M. 2005">Baughan, M. (2005). ''Continent in the Balance: Zimbabwe-Juvenile literature''. Philadelphia, PA: Mason Crest Publishers; {{ISBN|1590848101}}.</ref>

=== Biodiversity ===

{{Main|Wildlife of Zimbabwe}}

The country was mostly savannah, although the moist and mountainous eastern highlands supported areas of tropical evergreen and hardwood forests. Trees found in these Eastern Highlands included [[teak]], [[mahogany]], enormous specimens of [[Strangler fig|strangling fig]], [[Newtonia buchananii|forest newtonia]], big leaf, [[Celtis africana|white stinkwood]], [[Celtis mildbraedii|chirinda stinkwood]], [[Senegalia nigrescens|knobthorn]] and many others.

In the low-lying parts of the country [[Vachellia xanthophloea|fever trees]], [[mopane]], [[combretum]] and [[Adansonia|baobabs]] abound. Much of the country was covered by [[miombo]] woodland, dominated by [[brachystegia]] species and others. Among the numerous flowers and shrubs were [[hibiscus]], [[flame lily]], [[Scadoxus puniceus|snake lily]], [[spider lily]], [[Leonotis|leonotus]], [[Cassia (genus)|cassia]], [[Wisteria|tree wisteria]] and [[dombeya]]. There were around 350 species of mammals that can be found in Rhodesia. There were also many snakes and lizards, over 500 bird species, and 131 fish species.