December
2004
Matthew Patay's
Note of the Month
December
2004
 |
Map and flag images provided by Graphic Maps
This month's featured note
is from the country of Zimbabwe.
The denomination is 50 Dollars and the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money
(SCWPM) Number is P-8.
The note is dated 1994.
(front)
The banknote is dark brown, olive-brown and red-orange on multi-colored under print.
Rock formation from the Matopos Hills is at left.
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The following information
was obtained from:
Priory
Travel Guides
Matopos Hills
The Matopos Hills comprise an extraordinary collection of huge bare granite hills with gravity-defying boulders scattered all over the countryside to create a quite unique and rather mysterious landscape. The most spectacular areas are within the Matopos National Park. The local Matabele people call it Malindidzimu (the place of ancestor spirits). The national park is famous for its outstanding views, San (bushman) painted caves, wildlife (especially the Black Eagle) and as the chosen burial place of Cecil Rhodes who named his favourite spot World’s View.
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(back)
Great Zimbabwe ruins are at center..
The following information
was obtained from:
Priory
Travel Guides
The name Zimbabwe is derived from the Shona word for ‘houses of stone’ and was historically used to refer to the places where rulers would live or be buried. There are many such ‘zimbabwes’ around this region of the country but Great Zimbabwe is the largest. It was built and developed over a period of approximately 400 years between 1100 AD and 1500 AD. When Rhodesia became independent in 1980, the country took its new name from the historic site.
Little detail is known of the origins of Great Zimbabwe and theories submitted in the past were usually based on the politics of the day rather than any historical evidence. However, the site was definitely the work of the local native people. Visiting the site today is a fascinating experience and you should plan on spending at least three or four hours to explore fully.
The Hill Complex is really the most interesting part of the site and is accessed either by the modern path (longer but gentler ascent) or by the ancient path (steep but shorter). The strange mixture of natural granite boulders and interwoven manmade walls makes a spectacular complex with fine views over Lake Mutrikiwe (previously Kyle) and the Valley Complex below.
The Valley Complex contains a number of enclosures including the Great Enclosure and the Conical Tower. It was in one of these enclosures that the most ornate of the Zimbabwe birds (the Chevron Bird) was found. The bird has since become the symbol of Zimbabwe and is on the national flag.
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For more information about Zimbabwe visit:
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