Zambia

The Republic of Zambia, the landlocked nation bordering  the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west, in located in Southern Africa. It is one of the poorest nations in the world. Lusaka is the capital of Zambia.

HISTORY:- The Khoisan hunting people inhabited the region before the Bantu immigration. During the Bantu immigration, Tonga people first settled in Zambia, followed by the Nsokolo people in the 18th century, and the Ngoni peoples in the 19th century. King Lewanika of the Barotse permitted the British South Africa Company with mining rights in 1888. Cecil Rhodes set up the British South Africa Company to govern the region. The company administrated Zambia until 1924 when Zambia came under direct British government after Southern Rhodesia declared independence. In 1953, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was created, merging Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. In 1964, Northern Rhodesia gained independence with the name of Zambia. Kenneth Kaunda became the first president of Zambia. In 1965, Zambia provided support in the independence of Rhodesia from Britain. Kaunda abolished all political parties but domestic pressure forced him to introduce multiparty democracy in Zambia. In 1991 elections, Kaunda was defeated and was replaced by Frederick Chiluba.

GEOGRAPHY:- Zambia is located at 15 00 S, 30 00 E in Southern Africa. Zambia possesses total 752,614 sq km area in which land mass and water has captured 740,724 sq km and 11,890 sq km respectively. Zambia is a landlocked nation, which is bordered by Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. The lowest point is Zambezi river (329 m) and the highest point is an unnamed location in Mafinga Hills (2,301 m). Zambia is composed of high plateau with some hills and mountains.

CLIMATE:- The climate of Zambia is mostly tropical, modified by altitude. The rainy season stays from October to April.

GOVERNMENT:- Zambia is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 24th August 1991, and was amended in 1996. The legal system is based on the English common law and the customary law. The three major branches of the government are:

Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), and cabinet. The president is elected by a popular vote on a 5-year term. The cabinet is appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly.

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Assembly (158 seats).

 

Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, the high court, the magistrate courts, and the local courts. The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal and the justices are appointed by the president.

 Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) is the ruling party of Zambia. The other major political parties are All Peoples Congress Party, Forum for Democracy and Development, Heritage Party, Liberal Progressive Front, National Democratic Focus, Patriotic Front, Party of Unity for Democracy and Development etc. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.

President     Levy Mwanawasa

Vice President     Rupiah Banda

Minister of Foreign Affairs   Kabinga Pande

Ambassador to the United States  Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika

Ambassador to the United Nations  Lazarous Kapambwe

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Zambia id divided into 9 provinces:

Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, and Western province.

CULTURE:- Bantu culture with European influences is predominant in Zambian culture. Kuomboka, Kathanga, Mutomboko, Ncwala, Lwiindi, Shimunenga, Likumbi Lyamize, Chibwela Kumushi, Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena are some of the provincial festivals of Zambia. Pottery, basketry, stools, fabrics, mats, wooden carvings, ivory carvings, wire craft and copper crafts are the traditional arts practiced by the inhabitants of the nation. Football is the most popular sport in Zambia.

ECONOMY:- Zambian economy has been experiencing a modest economic growth since past few years. 68% of the population lives below poverty line in this middle income country.

GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $11.16 billion; per capita $1,300.

Real growth rate: 5.3%.

Inflation: 10.7%.

Unemployment: 50% (2000 est.).

Arable land: 7%.

Agriculture: Corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), coffee; cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides.

Budget:  

Revenues: $2.542 billion

Expenditures: $2.678 billion (2007 est.)

Public debt: 28% of GDP (2007 est.)

Debt - external: $2.598 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Labor force: 4.989 million; agriculture 85%, industry 6%, services 9%.

Industries: Copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture.

Natural resources: Copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower.

Exports: $3.928 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers, cotton.

Imports: $3.092 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing.

Major trading partners: South Africa, UK, Switzerland, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, UAE (2004).

Monetary unit: Kwacha

LANGUAGE:- English is the official language of Zambia while Chibemba, Chinyanja, Lunda, Tonga, Silozi, Nkoya, Luvale, Tumbuka, Kaonde, and 70 other indigenous languages are also spoken.

CITIES:- The capital Lusaka is the largest city of Zambia. Other large cities are Kitwe, Ndola, Livingstone, Kabwe.

POPULATION:- The estimated population of the country is 11,477,447 with an average growth rate of 1.7%.  The majority of the population resolves around Lusaka and the Copper-belt to the northwest.

Density per sq mi: 40

Literacy rate: 81% (2003 est.)

RACE:-

African 98.7%

European 1.1%

Other 0.2%

RELIGION:-

Christian 50%-75%

Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%

Indigenous beliefs 1%

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 40.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 21.35 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 100.96 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 38.59 years

Total fertility rate: 5.23 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 89,000 (2003 est.)

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 62

UNICEF:- To combat HIV, UNICEF has undertaken several programmes along with provision for rapid HIV testing and also introduces programmes to reduce mother-to-child transmission in 110 health centers. Measles and malaria rates are very low. UNICEF provides vitamin-A supplements, de-worming, and immunizations for children and also tries to eliminate domestic violence and tries to enhance girls’ education in Zambia. UNICEF has trained 4,000 teachers to improve education system and introduced feeding programmes in 61 schools. UNICEF helped in rebuilding wells, latrines, hand-washing facilities, water and sanitation systems in Zambia.

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: total: 2,157 km km (2006).

Highways: total: 91,440 km; paved: 20,117 km ; unpaved: 71,323 km (2001 est.). Waterways: 2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula rivers, Lake Tanganyika.

Ports and harbors: Mpulungu.

Airports: 111 (2006).