Zimbabwe, landlocked republic in southern Africa, bounded on the north by Zambia and Mozambique, on the east by Mozambique, on the south by South Africa, and on the southwest and west by Botswana. Formerly the British colony of Rhodesia, the territory unilaterally declared itself independent in 1965 and adopted a republican form of government in 1970. Zimbabwe is an upland country with a relatively temperate climate and a diversity of agricultural and mineral resources.