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.
Zambia Map
