Chinhoyi
Chinhoyi | |
|---|---|
| Country | Zimbabwe |
| Province | Mashonaland West |
| District | Makonde District |
| City | Chinhoyi Municipality |
| Established | 1906 |
| Elevation | 1,158 m (3,799 ft) |
| Population (2004 Estimate) | |
| • Total | 61,739 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (CEST) |
Chinhoyi a city in Zimbabwe.
Location
It is located on the western banks of the Manyame River, in Makonde District, in Mashonaland West Province in central northern Zimbabwe. Its location lies approximately 125 kilometres (78 mi), by road, northwest of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe and the largest city in that country.[1] The town lies on the main road, Highway A-1, between Harare and Chirundu, at the International border with the Republic of Zambia, about 250 kilometres (160 mi), further northwest of Chinhoyi.[2] The coordinates of the town are: 17° 21' 0.00"S, 30° 12' 0.00"E (Latitude:-17.3500; Longitude:30.2000). The town sits at an elevation of 3,799 feet (1,158 m), above sea level.[3]
There are a number of small towns which are close to Chinhoyi. Banket lies about 25 kilometres (16 mi), southeast of Chinhoyi on the road to Harare, Alaska lies approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) directly west of town,[4] and Lion's Den, which lies about 25 kilometres (16 mi), northwest of Chinhoyi, on the road to Chirundu.
Overview
Chinhoyi is the provincial capital of Mashonaland West Province, one of the ten administrative provinces in Zimbabwe. The town is also the district headquarters of Makonde District, one of the six districts in the province.
The town is a college town, hosting two of the country's major universities, namely: Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) and Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU). The principal secondary schools in Chinhoyi include the two government high schools; Chinhoyi High School and Nemakonde High School, together with the private high school of Lomagundi College.
Chinhoyi houses Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, the largest and most modern referral hospital in Mashonaland West Province. Some of the hotels in town include Chinhoyi Hotel in the center of town, the Orange Grove Motel, about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi), northwest of town on the road to Karoi and the Caves Motel, located about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) northwest of town, next to the Chinhoyi Caves. Tourist attractions in Chinhoyi include the Chinhoyi Caves in Chinhoyi Caves National Park. The limestone caves were first described by Frederick Courtney Selous in 1888.
History
Chinhoyi was called Sinoia during the colonial era. Sinoia was established in 1906 as a group settlement scheme by a wealthy Italian called Lieutenant Margherito Guidotti who encouraged ten Italian families to settle here.
Transport
Transport to and from Chinhoyi is mainly by road. Bus services connect Chinhoyi with Harare, Karoi, Kariba, Mhangura, Bulawayo, and smaller villages in the district. There is a small airport for private planes, called Chinhoyi Airport, located about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), south of the central business district. The airport needs some attention though. Chinhoyi is on a rail branch from Harare, which ends at Lions Den. There are no scheduled passenger trains. Taxis operate within the town area. There is also a local bus service.
Financial services
Barclays Bank Zimbabwe, a commercial bank, maintains a branch in the town.[5] ZB Bank Limited, sometimes referred to as Zimbank, another commercial bank, also has a branch in Chinhoyi.[6] Standard Chartered Zimbabwe has a branch here as well.
Population
The population of Chinhoyi during the 2002 census was 56,794. In 2004 the town's population was estimated at 61,739 people.[7] The next national population census in Zimbabwe is scheduled from 18 August 2012 through 28 August 2012.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Road Distance Between Harare And Chinhoyi With Map
- ^ Map Showing Chinhoyi And Chirundu With Distance Marker
- ^ Elevation of Chinhoyi Above Sea Level
- ^ Road Distance Between Chinhoyi And Alaska, Zimbabwe With Map
- ^ Branches of Barclays Bank Zimbabwe
- ^ Branches of ZB Bank Limited
- ^ Estimated Population of Chinhoyi In 2004
- ^ Next Population Census In Zimbawe Scheduled For August 2012