At a Glance

Official Name: Republic of Zambia

Continent: Africa

Area: 285,992 square miles (740,720 sq. km)

Population: 9,770,199

Capital City: Lusaka

Largest City: Lusaka (982,362)

Unit of Money: kwacha

Major Languages: English (official), Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga

Natural Resources: Copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold silver, uranium, hydropower potential

The Place

Zambia, officially named the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in south central Africa. It is bordered by Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, and Angola. Zambia is 285,992 square miles (740,720 square kilometers), and its capital and largest city is Lusaka.

Most of Zambia is high plateau with elevations averaging between 3,500 and 4,500 feet (1,100 and 1,400 meters). Mountains in the country's northeast stand higher than 6,600 feet (2,000 meters). Major rivers are the Zambezi, the Kafue, the Luangwa, the Luapula and the Chambesh.

Because of its high altitudes, most of Zambia has a pleasant, subtropical climate, with average temperatures between 61° F (16° C) and 70° F (21° C).

Most of the country is covered in grasslands and trees. Zambia's native animals include elephants, lions, rhinoceroses, and several varieties of antelope. Rich mineral deposits in the country's copper belt, which extends down into Zambia from southern Congo include copper, cobalt, and other minerals.

The People

Zambians are almost all Bantu-speaking Africans, including the Twa (Pygmies), except for a few groups of San.

There are also a few Europeans, white South Africans, and Asians living in Zambia.

English is the official language of the country, however, about 80 local languages and dialects are also spoken there. The Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja, Lozi, Kaonde, Lunda, and Luvale languages are used in radio broadcasts.

Approximately 63% of the people of Zambia are Christian. Many Christians attend independent churches, which combine elements of Christianity and African religions. The rest of the population follows traditional religions. Old customs, like the use of traditional medicine, polygyny (marrying several wives) and bride price (paying the parents for a bride), are slowly dying out in the towns. Life expectancy is 49 years.

In some parts of the country, village life goes on much as it has for hundreds of years. The people live in circular, grass-roofed homes and grow crops on their land. Corn is the main food. A favorite dish is nshima, a thick porridge made from corn. The people plant their crops in November and December.

Education

School attendance has increased substantially since Zambia became independent in 1964. In 1995, approximately 1.5 million students were enrolled in primary schools, representing 88% of school aged children. Only 29% of secondary school-aged children were enrolled. The University of Zambia at Lusaka had about 10,500 students in the mid-1990s.

The University of Zambia opened in 1966. Later, other institutes of higher education were formed, and today, Zambia offers many types of college-level schooling.

Popular Culture/Daily Life

Tourists often visit Zambia to see its wildlife, the Victoria Falls, and to enjoy white-water rafting on the Zambezi River. Zambia is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

Much of Zambia's traditional music is rhythmic and usually played on drums, whistles and thumb pianos called kalimba. The music almost always accompanies dancing, including the popular rumba, originally from the Republic of the Congo.

Zambia's capital, Lusaka, has several galleries that feature local artists. Three of the best galleries are Henry Tayali visual Arts Gallery at the Showgrounds, the Sculpture Garden at the Garden House Hotel, and Mpala Gallery. There is also an open-air market called the Kamwala Market, which is very popular.