Zambia

East Africa

Zambia is a country in East Africa, home to 21.3 million people, with an area of 752,612 km². Its capital is Lusaka.

Capital: Lusaka
Population: 21.3 million
Area: 752,612 km²
Region: East Africa
Density: 28.3 / km²
Status: Sovereign state

Zambia · East Africa · map loads on click

Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.

What Zambia is known for

Zambia is best known for Victoria Falls, South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park.

Zambia is a landlocked country located in southern Africa. It is known for its diverse wildlife, natural scenery, and the Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world.

Zambia at a glance

Language: English is the official language, with Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, and other local languages also widely spoken
Currency: Zambian kwacha (ZMW)
Religion: Christianity is the predominant religion in Zambia, with significant minorities practicing Islam and traditional African religions
National dish: Nshima, a thick porridge made from maize meal, is considered the national dish of Zambia
Climate: Zambia has a tropical climate with three main seasons: cool and dry from May to August, hot and dry from September to November, and warm and wet from December to April
Main industries: Copper mining, agriculture, and tourism
GDP: $28.4 billion (nominal, 2021 estimate)
Development: Zambia is considered a developing country with a human development index (HDI) ranking of 147 out of 189 countries (2020)

Things to do in Zambia

Some of the main tourist attractions in Zambia include:

Victoria Falls one of the world's largest waterfalls, located on the Zambezi River and shared with Zimbabwe.
South Luangwa National Park a wildlife sanctuary in eastern Zambia known for its large populations of elephants, hippos, and other animals.
Lower Zambezi National Park a national park located in southern Zambia, known for its scenic beauty and wildlife.
Kafue National Park a large national park located in central Zambia, known for its diverse wildlife, including lions, leopards, and rare antelopes.
Lake Kariba a large artificial lake created by the damming of the Zambezi River, known for its fishing and water sports.
Livingstone a town located near Victoria Falls, known for its historical and cultural attractions, as well as adventure activities such as bungee jumping and white-water rafting.
Kasanka National Park a wildlife sanctuary in northern Zambia, known for its large populations of fruit bats that migrate to the park each year.
Lusaka National Park a wildlife sanctuary located on the outskirts of the capital city, known for its populations of giraffes, zebras, and other animals.
Mpulungu Harbour the main port on Lake Tanganyika, located in northern Zambia and known for its scenic beauty and fishing.
Bangweulu Wetlands a large wetland area located in northern Zambia, known for its diverse birdlife and other wildlife.

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that Zambia has to offer. The country is also known for its friendly people, rich culture, and delicious cuisine.

Zambia in pictures

Zambia on video

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Zambia compared with its neighbours

How it sits against the other countries of East Africa.

Country	Population	Area	Capital
Malawi	21.3 million	118,484 km²	Lilongwe
Zambia	21.3 million	752,612 km²	Lusaka
Somalia	18.7 million	637,657 km²	Mogadishu
Zimbabwe	16.6 million	390,757 km²	Harare