Rhodesia was the former name of

Analyze the question: The question asks which modern country was formerly called Rhodesia.

Explain the concept: Many African countries changed their names after independence. Rhodesia was named after Cecil John Rhodes, the British colonial businessman and politician who led the British South Africa Company. The territory was divided into two parts:

• Southern Rhodesia, which later became Zimbabwe
• Northern Rhodesia, which became Zambia at independence in 1964

Step-by-step solution:

1. The name "Rhodesia" applied to two territories, so we check which options match.
2. Zambia was formerly Northern Rhodesia. It is a partial match, but the name was "Northern Rhodesia" specifically.
3. Namibia was formerly South West Africa, so it is not a match.
4. Swaziland (now Eswatini) was a separate British protectorate, so it is not a match.
5. Zimbabwe was known simply as Rhodesia (formerly Southern Rhodesia). After Ian Smith's Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965, the country was called Rhodesia until 1980, when it became independent as Zimbabwe.

Answer: The country most directly known as "Rhodesia" is Zimbabwe, which is option C.

Tip: Remember the pairs:

• Northern Rhodesia → Zambia
• Southern Rhodesia (Rhodesia) → Zimbabwe
• South West Africa → Namibia

When the question says plain "Rhodesia" and not "Northern Rhodesia," choose Zimbabwe.