Zambia Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Zambia, state of southern East Africa; 753,000 km², 17.4 million residents (2019).Zambia borders in the north to Tanzania, in the east to Malawi and Mozambique, in the southeast to Zimbabwe, in the south to Botswana and Namibia, in the west to Angola and in the northwest to the Congo (Kinshasa). The capital is Lusaka (2.5 million residents in 2018).

Country facts

Republic of Zambia / Republic of Zambia
Country abbreviation: ZM
Area: 753 000 km²
Population (2019): 17.4 million residents
Capital: Lusaka
Main languages: English and several bantu languages
State: Republic
Head of State and Head of Government: Edgar Lungu (President)
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 1,540
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 1,430
Coin unit: 1 kwacha = 100 ngwee
Currency code: ZMK
Country number (telephony): 260
Internet domain name: zm
Time difference compared to Sweden: +1
National Day: October 24 (Independence Day, 1964)

Nature

Land use: forest (43%), agricultural land (7%), other (50%)
Highest mountain: Makutu mountains (2 301 m asl)
Largest lake: Lake Bangweulus (5,000 km² )

Population

Population density (2019): 23 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 3.0%; birth rate 37 ‰, death rate 7 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (46%), 15-64 (52%), 65- (2%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 60 years, women 66 years
Infant mortality (2019): 42 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 39 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.588 (place 144 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 44%
Most populous cities (2018): Lusaka (2.5 million residents), Kitwe (692,100), Ndola (563,100)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (8%), industry (35%), service (57%)
Exports (2017): US $ 8,216 million
Main export products: copper, cobalt, electricity
Main exporting countries: Switzerland, China, Congo (Kinshasa)
Imports (2017): US $ 7,852 million
Main import products: machinery, means of transport, fossil fuels
Main importing countries: South Africa, Congo (Kinshasa), China
Railway network (2014): 3 100 km

The main part of Zambia is a flat or slightly wavy plateau, 1,000–1,500 meters above sea level. To the northeast, the Muchinga Mountains rise, and west of these lie the shallow Bangweulus Lake and the extensive Bangweul outcrops. To the south, the Zambezi River forms the famous Victoria Falls as well as one of the world’s largest artificial lakes, the Caribbean Sea. The country is in the tropical climate zone, but the heat is reduced through the country’s high position and abundant clouds and rain showers.

According to the constitution, the country is led by an executive president, who appoints the government among MPs. These are elected, like the president, for five years. Zambia became independent from the UK in 1964.

The country’s economy is to a large extent dominated by copper mining and related activities. This makes the country’s economy vulnerable to fluctuating world market prices for copper. After suffering an acute economic crisis in the mid-1970s, economic development has again been positive during the 2000s.