History
Great Zimbabwe
Masvingo, Zimbabwe
Imposing dry-stone walls mark the capital of a medieval trading society. The modern country took its name from the site.
Period: 11th–15th century
Zimbabwe: leaders, famous people, culture and history
1 place on the atlas covering history. Highlights include Great Zimbabwe.
What is on the atlas
- History Great Zimbabwe
Who leads Zimbabwe?
| President (head of state and government) | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Zimbabwe’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Zimbabwe
- Robert Mugabe long-time leader
- Joshua Nkomo nationalist leader
- Nehanda Nyakasikana spirit medium and anti-colonial heroine
- Dambudzo Marechera writer
- Thomas Mapfumo musician
- Tsitsi Dangarembga novelist
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
History in Zimbabwe
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Zimbabwe today, a short selection of well-known people from Zimbabwe, and the 1 place pinned for Zimbabwe on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Zimbabwe on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the history page.
Questions about Zimbabwe
Who is the leader of Zimbabwe?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Emmerson Mnangagwa. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Zimbabwe?
Well-known people connected with Zimbabwe include Robert Mugabe (long-time leader), Joshua Nkomo (nationalist leader), Nehanda Nyakasikana (spirit medium and anti-colonial heroine), Dambudzo Marechera (writer) and Thomas Mapfumo (musician).
What are important historical places in Zimbabwe?
Historical places in Zimbabwe on the atlas include Great Zimbabwe. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Zimbabwe on the map?
Choose See Zimbabwe on the map above, or search for Zimbabwe on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.