Bulawayo

The second-largest city in Zimbabwe and the largest city in the Matabeleland region has a population of about 1.2 million. The city itself covers 1,707 square kilometres (659 square miles) in the western part of the country, along the Matsheumhlope River.

Founded around 1840 it is most well known as the City of Kings and the home of a famous tribal chief, Lobengula, who ruled from the 1860s until 1893, when the settlement was captured by British South Africa Company (BSAC) soldiers during the First Matabele War. White settlers arrived in 1893 and built a town that attained municipality status in 1897, and city status in 1943. 

Historically, Bulawayo has been the principal industrial center of Zimbabwe; in the past, its factories produced cars and car products, building materials, electronic products, textiles, furniture, and food products.

Bulawayo is also the hub of Zimbabwe’s railway network and the headquarters of the National Railways of Zimbabwe.

Bulawayo’s central business district (CBD) covers 5.4 km2 (2+1⁄8 sq mi) in the heart of the city, and is surrounded by numerous suburbs towards the outskirts.

The majority of the city population belong to the Ndebele people, with minorities of Shona and other groups. Bulawayo is home to over a dozen colleges and universities, most notably the National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo Polytechic College Bulawayo Polytechnic, Zimbabwe School of Mines, United College of Education to name but a few.

The Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, formerly the National Museum is located in Bulawayo. The city is in close proximity to tourist sites such as Matobo National Park and the Khami World Heritage Site.

Bulawayo is a natural entry and staging point for those travelling from South Africa en-route to Victoria Falls, Hwange Game Reserve, Great Zimbabwe and the Matobo National Park .

Bulawayo Publicity Association (official site)

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