Gweru

Gweru (formerly Gwelo until 1982) is a city near the centre of Zimbabwe at 19°25′S 29°50′E / 19.417°S 29.833°E / -19.417; 29.833. It has a population of about 146,073 (2009), making it the fifth largest city in the nation. Gweru is the capital of Midlands Province, and was founded in 1894 by Dr. Leander Starr Jameson. The first bank opened in Gweru in 1896, and the stock exchange in 1898. The railway arrived in 1902. It became a municipality in 1914 and achieved city status in 1971. The name changed from Gwelo to Gweru in 1982.