Midlands Province

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox settlement  | name = Midlands | native_name = {{ubl|{{nativename|sn|Dunhu reMidlands|parensize=80%}}|{{nativename|nd|Isabelo seMidlands|parensize=80%}}}} | native_name_lang =  | settlement_type = Province | image_skyline = | imagesize = | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_size = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_size = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_size = | shield_alt = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = | blank_emblem_size = | blank_emblem_alt = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = Midlands in Zimbabwe (adm).svg | mapsize = 250px | map_alt = | map_caption = Midlands, Province of Zimbabwe | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_alt1 = | map_caption1 = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Zimbabwe | subdivision_type1 = | subdivision_name1 = | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | seat_type = Capital | seat = Gweru | government_footnotes = | government_type = Provincial Government | leader_title = Minister of State for Provincial Affairs | leader_name = Owen Ncube<ref>{{cite web |title=Mnangagwa Appoints Coup Plotters to Key Ministries in Recycled Mugabe Cabinet |url=https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/mnangagwa-appoints-military-commanders-in-recycled-cabinet/4144702.html |publisher=Voice of America |date=1 December 2017 |access-date=2 December 2017 |archive-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628204931/https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/mnangagwa-appoints-military-commanders-in-recycled-cabinet/4144702.html |url-status=live }}</ref> (ZANU-PF) | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | total_type = | unit_pref = | area_magnitude = | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 49166 | area_total_sq_mi = | area_total_dunam = | area_land_km2 = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 1,811,905 | population_as_of = 2022 census | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi= | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = | utc_offset1 = | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code = | blank_name_sec1 = HDI (2021) | blank_info_sec1 = 0.590<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{cite web |title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database |url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/ |website=hdi.globaldatalab.org |access-date=2018-09-13 |archive-date=23 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120638/https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>{{color|#fc0|medium}} · 3rd of 10 | website = | footnotes = }}

'''Midlands''' is a province of Zimbabwe. It has an area of {{convert|49,166|km2|mi2}} and a population of 1,811,905 (2022). It spread across eight administration district: Gweru, Gokwe south, Kwekwe, Mberengwa, Shurugwi, eZvishavane and Chirumanzu. It is home to various peoples. Located at a central point in the country, it contains speakers of Shona, Ndebele, Tswana, Sotho, Vendaand Chewa, as well as of various other languages. The main language in Midlands province are Shona and isiNdebele with Shona acting as a primary, widespread language and isiNdebele heavily featured in specific districs. Shona is the most widely spoken language, particularly in areas like Gweru with dialects such as Karanga, Zezuru and Mhari commonly used. IsiNdebele prevalent in the western parts of the province and in areas bordering Mathebeleland. Gweru, a well connected city with robust infrastructure, serves as the third-largest city in Zimbabwe, is the capital of the province.

Midlands Province contains Kwekwe, a city of considerable mining and manufacturing industries, in which also the Sable Chemicals Trust maintains a presence.

== Demographics == {| class="wikitable sortable" !Census !Population<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zimbabwe: Administrative Division (Provinces and Districts) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/zimbabwe/admin/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=www.citypopulation.de |archive-date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220235255/http://www.citypopulation.de/en/zimbabwe/admin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2002 | style="text-align:right;" |1,463,993 |- |2012 | style="text-align:right;" |1,614,941 |- |2022 | style="text-align:right;" |1,811,905 |} thumb|right|Districts of Midlands [[File:Stromatolites Mberengwa, Zimbabwe.jpg|thumb|Fossil Stromatolites, around 2650 million years old. Mberengwa, Midlands]]

== Geography == Generally hilly and temperate, similar to the Highveldt of South Africa.

=== Districts === Midlands Provinces is divided into eight districts: * Chirumhanzu * Gokwe North * Gokwe South * Gweru * Kwekwe * Mberengwa * Shurugwi * Zvishavane

==Local government== The Provincial Administrator oversees all eight districts in the province, each district having its own district administrator. District Administrators work with local authorities in their respective districts, with the local authorities having their own Chairmen (mayors for municipalities). These urban councils were established in accordance with the Zimbabwe Urban Councils Act, Chapter 29.15<ref>Ministries of Local Government International [http://mlgi.org.za/resources/local-government-database/by-country/zimbabwe/national-legislation/Zimbabwe_Urban_Councils_Act.pdf |Chapter 29:15 Urban Councils Act|Zimbabwe Urban_Councils Act] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216221936/http://mlgi.org.za/resources/local-government-database/by-country/zimbabwe/national-legislation/Zimbabwe_Urban_Councils_Act.pdf |date=16 February 2016 }} mlgi.org.za|Retrieved 1 March 2016</ref> while rural district councils were created in terms of the Zimbabwe Rural District Councils Act, Chapter 29.13<ref>Ministries of Local Government International [http://mlgi.org.za/resources/local-government-database/by-country/zimbabwe/national-legislation/Zimbabwe_Rural_District_Councils_Act.pdf Rural District Councils Act.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208170948/http://mlgi.org.za/resources/local-government-database/by-country/zimbabwe/national-legislation/Zimbabwe_Rural_District_Councils_Act.pdf |date=8 February 2015}} MLGI|Resources|Retrieved 1 March 2016</ref>

Of the eight districts, Gokwe South, Gweru, Kwekwe, Shurugwi and Zvishavane have two local government administrative authorities; the Urban District Council (town council or municipality) and the Rural District Council. Chirumhanzu, Gokwe North and Mberengwa districts have no urban councils.

Mberengwa's main economic activities are mostly concentrated at Mataga growth point.

===Rural councils=== The 8 rural district councils in all 8 subdivisions; * Gokwe North RDC in Gokwe North * Gokwe South RDC in Gokwe South * Mberengwa RDC in Mberengwa * Runde RDC in Zvishavane * Tongogara RDC in Shurungwi * Takawira RDC in Chirumhanzu * Vungu RDC in Gweru * Zibagwe RDC in Kwekwe

===Urban councils=== * City Councils in the province are Gweru and Kwekwe municipalities. * Town Councils are Shurugwi, Zvishavane and Gokwe, Redcliff.

== Education == {{main|List of secondary schools in Midlands Province}}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{ZW provinces}} {{Authority control}} {{coord|19|00|S|30|00|E|display=title|region:ZW_type:adm1st_source:GNS-enwiki}}

Category:Midlands Province Category:Provinces of Zimbabwe