Capital - Lusaka
Government - Republic
Currency - Zambian kwacha (ZMK)
Area total: 752,614 km2
water: 11,890 km2
land: 740,724 km2
Population - 11,668,000 (2005 est.)
Language - English (official), major
vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda,
Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other
indigenous languages
Religion - Christian (+75%), Muslim
and Hindu (24% or less), indigenous beliefs
(1%)
Calling Code +260
Country Background
Zambia, republic in south central Africa,
bounded on the north by the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC, formerly Zaire)
and Tanzania; on the east by Malawi; on the
southeast by Mozambique; on the south by
Zimbabwe, Botswana, and the Caprivi Strip of
Namibia; and on the west by Angola. The area
is 752,614 sq km (290,586 sq mi). Zambia’s
capital and largest city is Lusaka.
Like in many other African countries, ethnic
diversity is a striking feature in Zambia.
The relatively small population of just over
11 million people comprises of over 70
different languages, also referred to as
tribes. Almost all share the same historical
origin of belonging to the Bantu-speaking
group. The Bantu-speaking group has over 500
languages spoken in central, eastern, and
southern Africa.
Scholars estimate that the number of
distinctive native languages spoken in
Africa totals at least 2,000 - more
languages than are spoken on any other
continent. Among these 2,000 languages only
about 50 have 500,000 or more speakers. In
Zambia the major ones include Bemba, Nyanja,
and Tonga.
Zambian Weather and
Climate
Although lying within the Tropic Zone, much
of Zambia enjoys a pleasant subtropical
climate because of the high altitude. The
average temperature in Lusaka during July,
the coldest month of the year, is 16°C
(61°F); the hottest month, January, has an
average temperature of 21°C (70°F). Annual
rainfall ranges from 750 mm (30 in) in the
south to 1,300 mm (51 in) in the north.
Nearly all of the rain falls between
November and April.
Zambia’s distinct seasons
run as follows:
Cold and Dry Season - May to August.
The coolest time of the year, with
temperatures 24-28°C during the day, can
drop as low as 7°C at night. Probably the
best time of year to visit Zambia: come
early in the dry season for birdwatching or
to see Victoria Falls at their best levels,
or later when the bush has dried up for good
game-spotting on safari.
Hot Season - September to November.
Temperatures rocket up to a scorching
38-42°C and clouds of swirling dust make
driving on dirt roads an asthmatic's
nightmare. If you can take the heat, though,
it's a good time for safaris as wildlife
clusters around the few remaining watering
holes.
Wet or Rainy Season - December to
April. Temperatures cool down to 32°C or so
and there is a lot of rain - sometimes just
an hour or two, sometimes for days on end.
Unsealed roads become impassable muddy
nightmares, and many safari lodges close.
Major Travel and Tourism
Info (Country Travel Guide)
Zambia 101 (Basics) - Major travel and tour
destinations
Zambia offers travelers some of the world's
best safari opportunities, a glimpse into
the “real Africa,” and Victoria Falls, one
of the World's Seven Natural Wonders and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* Victoria Falls — one of the world’s
largest waterfalls
* Blue Lagoon National Park
* Isangano National Park
* Kafue National Park
* Kasanga National Park
* Lavushi Manda National Park
* Liuwa Plains National Park
* Lochinvar National Park
* Lower Zambesi National Park
* Luambe National Park
* Mafinga Hills
* Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
* North Luangwa National Park
* Nsumbu National Park
* Nyika National Park
* South Luangwa National Park - one of
Africa’s great safari destinations
* Sioma Ngwezi National Park
* West Lunga National Park .