# Gweru

> city in Zimbabwe

**Wikidata**: [Q399316](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q399316)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gweru)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gweru

## Summary  
Gweru is a city in Zimbabwe and the capital of Midlands Province. It was founded in 1894 and serves as a significant urban center in central Zimbabwe, with a population of over 141,000 as of the 2002 census.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1894.
- Located in Midlands Province, Zimbabwe.
- Capital of Midlands Province.
- Population: 141,260 (as of 2002).
- Coordinates: approximately -19.4533° S, 29.8153° E.
- Timezone: UTC+02:00.
- Elevation: approximately 1,412–1,424 meters above sea level.
- UN/LOCODE: ZWGWE.
- Twinned with Birmingham (UK), Tsumeb (Namibia), and Manchester (UK).
- Official languages: English, Shona (local).
- Website: [https://gwerucitycouncilsite.wordpress.com/](https://gwerucitycouncilsite.wordpress.com/)
- Image: [Boggies Clock Gweru](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boggies_clock_Gweru.jpg)
- Page banner: [Naletale Ruins](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gweru_banner_Naletale_Ruins.png)

## FAQs

### When was Gweru founded?
Gweru was established in 1894. It was originally named Gwelo until 1983.

### Where is Gweru located?
Gweru is located in Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. It serves as the provincial capital of the Midlands region.

### What is the population of Gweru?
According to the 2002 census, Gweru had a population of 141,260.

### What is Gweru's elevation?
Gweru is situated at an elevation between 1,412 and 1,424 meters above sea level.

### What is Gweru known for?
Gweru is notable for its historical significance, its role as an administrative center, and its twinning with cities like Birmingham and Manchester.

### What is Gweru's official website?
The official website for Gweru City Council is [https://gwerucitycouncilsite.wordpress.com/](https://gwerucitycouncilsite.wordpress.com/).

### What languages are associated with Gweru?
English and Shona are the primary languages used in Gweru.

### What is Gweru's time zone?
Gweru is in the UTC+02:00 time zone.

### What is Gweru twinned with?
Gweru is twinned with Birmingham (UK), Manchester (UK), and Tsumeb (Namibia).

### What is the geographic identifier for Gweru?
Gweru is identified by the following codes:
- Geonames ID: 890420
- UN/LOCODE: ZWGWE
- Who's On First ID: 421173191
- OpenStreetMap Node ID: 253192754

## Why It Matters
Gweru plays a central role in the Midlands Province as both an administrative and economic hub. As the capital of the province, it supports regional governance and development. The city also contributes to Zimbabwe’s urban geography and cultural identity, with historical roots dating back to the late 19th century. Its international city twinning relationships highlight its global connections, and its elevation and climate make it a unique highland urban center in southern Africa.

## Notable For
- Being the capital of Midlands Province.
- Hosting the historic Boggies Clock, a local landmark.
- Serving as a regional hub in central Zimbabwe.
- Being one of the few Zimbabwean cities with a documented elevation exceeding 1,400 meters.
- Its twinning with international cities such as Birmingham and Manchester.
- Its detailed geographic and administrative data being catalogued in multiple international databases.

## Body

### History
Gweru was founded in 1894 and was originally known as Gwelo. The name was officially changed to Gweru in 1983. The city grew from a small colonial settlement into a regional capital, playing a key role in the development of central Zimbabwe. It has been recognized in historical and geographic databases globally, including the Getty Thesaurus and the Library of Congress.

### Geography and Location
Gweru is located in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe, at approximately -19.4533° S and 29.8153° E. The city sits at an elevation of 1,412 to 1,424 meters above sea level, making it one of the higher-altitude urban centers in the region. It is identified by several geographic databases including:
- Geonames ID: 890420
- Who's On First ID: 421173191
- OpenStreetMap Node ID: 253192754

### Administration and Governance
Gweru is the administrative capital of Midlands Province. It is also the seat of the Gweru City Council, which operates under the authority of the Zimbabwean government. The city's official website is maintained by the council and provides updates on local governance and civic matters.

### Demographics and Population
As of the 2002 census, Gweru had a population of 141,260. The city is part of a growing urban network in Zimbabwe and is recognized in various demographic and geographic datasets, including the WorldCat Entities ID: E39PBJh8KxfwF7T3cx4CBQPWjC.

### International Connections
Gweru is twinned with:
- Birmingham, UK
- Manchester, UK
- Tsumeb, Namibia  
These relationships highlight the city's engagement in global cultural and administrative networks.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
Gweru is home to the Boggies Clock, a local landmark featured in Wikimedia Commons. The city is also associated with the Naletale Ruins, depicted in its official page banner image.

### Digital and Data Presence
Gweru is well-documented in global databases:
- Wikidata Description: "city in Zimbabwe"
- Freebase ID: /m/03716t
- GND ID: 4513735-3
- VIAF ID: 125612201
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n89289755
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007562882505171
- OpenWeatherMap City ID: 890422
- De Agostini ID: Gweru
- Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID: place/Gweru
- Great Russian Encyclopedia Portal ID: gveru-ec9d4d
- Curlie ID: Regional/Africa/Zimbabwe/Localities/Midlands/Gweru/

### Infrastructure and Urban Planning
Gweru's elevation and urban planning make it a unique case study in highland city development. The city is part of the global urban network and is recognized by the United Nations with the code ZWGWE.

### Language and Localization
Gweru is represented in multiple languages across international platforms, including:
- Wikipedia in languages: Afrikaans, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Cebuano, Czech, Danish, German, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Basque, Persian, Finnish, French, Frisian, Croatian, Armenian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Western Mari, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simple English, Shona, Serbian, Swedish, Swahili, Silesian, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Waray, Chinese, Zulu
- Google Play Store ID: Gweru

### Notable Features
- Gweru is part of the "Category:Gweru" on Wikimedia Commons and Wikidata.
- The city is featured in the BBC Things database with ID: b7529a4e-e11c-4f4d-9a0d-d9af581af834.
- Gweru is also listed in the Online PWN Encyclopedia with ID: 3909106.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames
4. BBC Things
5. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/zw.htm)
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File