It's true that Zimbabwe has seen happier days. But intrepid travelers are still drawn to Victoria Falls (which it shares with Zambia), to the gamelands of the Matobo Hills, and the medieval ruins of Great Zimbabwe, imposing testimony to better times.

• TOTAL AREA: 390,580 sq km

• LAND AREA: 386,670 sq km

• WATER AREA: 3,910 sq km

• POPULATION: 12,236,805

• RELIGIONS: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%

• LANGUAGES: English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects

• GOVERNMENT TYPE: Parliamentary Democracy

• CAPITAL CITY: Harare

• OFFICIAL CURRENCY: Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)

• TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC +2