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Republic of Rhodesia Timeline: Cherry, Plum, and Chrysanthemum
OTL equivalent: Zimbabwe | ||||||
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| Motto: Sit Nomine Digna (Latin) ("Worthy of the Name") |
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| Anthem: Rise, O Voices of Rhodesia |
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 Location of Rhodesia
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| Capital | Salisbury | |||||
| Official languages | English | |||||
| Ethnic groups | Black Africans; Whites; Asians | |||||
| Religion | Christianity; Irreligion; Traditional religions | |||||
| Demonym | Rhodesian; Rhodi | |||||
| Government | Unitary state; constitutional semi-parliamentary republic | |||||
| - | President | |||||
| - | Prime Minister | |||||
| Legislature | Parliament of Rhodesia | |||||
| - | Upper house | Senate | ||||
| - | Lower house | House of Assembly | ||||
| Establishment | ||||||
| - | Southern Rhodesia | October 1, 1923 | ||||
| - | Independence from the United Kingdom | November 11, 1965 | ||||
| - | Republic | March 2, 1970 | ||||
| - | Recognized | April 18, 1980 | ||||
| Currency | Rhodesian dollar (RHD) |
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| Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) | |||||
| Internet TLD | .rh | |||||
| Calling code | +263 | |||||
Rhodesia, officially the Republic of Rhodesia, is a sovereign country in Southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers. Rhodesia is the successor state to the British colony of Southern Rhodesia, which had been self-governing since achieving responsible government in 1923. A landlocked nation, Rhodesia is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest, and the Portuguese overseas province of Mozambique to the east. The capital and largest city is Salisbury.
A country of roughly 15 million people as per 2022 census, Rhodesia's mainly ethnic groups are Black Rhodesians, with remaining population of European (White Rhodesians), Asian (Indian Rhodesians and Chinese Rhodesians), and multiracial (Coloured Rhodesians) ancestry. However, White population have predominantly in control of the government, economy and other public sectors, while the native Black population had been disadvantaged politically. The two most spoken first languages are Shona (38.8%) and Northern Ndebele (26.0%), while English serves as the country's official language, reflecting the legacy of British colonialism.
Beginning in the 9th century, during its late Iron Age, the Bantu people (who would become the ethnic Shona) built the city-state of Great Zimbabwe; the city-state became one of the major African trade centres by the 11th century but was abandoned by the mid 15th century. From there, the Kingdom of Zimbabwe was established, followed by the Rozvi and Mutapa empires.
The British South Africa Company of Cecil Rhodes demarcated the Rhodesia region in 1890 when they conquered Mashonaland and later in 1893 Matabeleland after the First Matabele War. Company rule ended in 1923 with the establishment of Southern Rhodesia as a self-governing British colony. In 1965, the white minority government unilaterally declared independence as Rhodesia. The state endured international isolation and a 15-year guerrilla war with black nationalist forces; this culminated in a peace agreement that established de jure sovereignty in April 1980.
Rhodesia is one of the most developed country in Africa. It is a prosperous country thanks to its vast natural resources, including precious metals and gems; Tourism is also well developed due to the country's many natural wonders and ancient ruins, including Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe. Its Human Development Index (HDI) is the highest in Africa with 0.939 units. The fact that it provides food to the majority of the African continent gives it the title of the "Africa's Breadbasket". It is also referred to as the "Jewel of Africa" for its great prosperity. It is the largest known producer of chocolate and cocoa in Africa. Its soccer, basketball, athletics and electronic sports teams are considered the best in sub-Saharan Africa.