| Area |
752,614 sq km (290,586 sq miles). |
| Population |
10,698,000 (2002). |
| Capital |
Lusaka- population 1,640,000 (2000). |
| Climate |
Although Zambia lies in the tropics, the height of the plateau ensures that the climate is seldom unpleasantly hot, except in the valleys. There are three seasons: the cool, dry winter season from May to September; the hot, dry season in October and November; and the rainy season, which is even hotter, from December to April. |
| Language |
English is the official language, but there are over 73 local dialects. The main languages are Bemba, Kaonde, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja and Tonga. |
| Religion |
Around 30 per cent of the population is Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic), a smaller number are Muslim and Hindu, and a small minority have traditional animist beliefs. |
| Time |
GMT + 2.
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| Highlights |
Victoria Falls is unquestionably Zambia's precious gem and a visit to this area is indeed considered to be a 'once in a lifetime' experience! Adventure sports are particularly popular in this area. National parks and game reserves take up almost a third of the country of which Kafue and Luangwa are the best known, offering a huge variety of wildlife. It is in Zambia where the possibility of getting as close as possible to big game was originally introduced. Luangwa walking safaris allows you to enjoy the true pleasure of safaris. Visiting the Zambezi wetlands you will witness numerous bird species and wild life including elephants, buffalos etc.
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| Country Facts |
Zambia sits on a gently undulating plateau between 900 and 1500 metres high, studded with lakes and covered with a mixture of deciduous forest, savannah and marshland. Angola lies to the west, Zaire to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the south-east, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the south and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia to the southwest. In the south, the Zambezi River, together with Lake Kariba, forms the frontier with Zimbabwe. At the southern end of the man-made lake Kariba is one of the most spectacular sights in the world, Victoria Falls. On a high plateau in the east and north-east of the country, covered by deciduous savannah, small trees, grassy plains and marshland are the stunning Luangwa and Kafue National Parks with one of the most prolific animal populations in Africa. |