Zambia

The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the [British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched an anticorruption task force in 2002, but the government has yet to make a prosecution. The Zambian leader was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 11,477,447 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Zambian(s)

Nationality (Adjective): Zambian

Official Language(s): English

Major Languages Spoken: Bemba, English, Tongan, Chichewa, Sesotho

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): Republic of Zambia

Country Name (short form): Zambia

Country Name (local long form): none

Country Name (local short form): none

Name of Capital: Lusaka

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Zambia: Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Congo Dem. Rep. of

Land Area: 740724 sq km

Water Area: 11890 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly larger than Texas

Total Land Boundry: 5,664 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

National Holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964)

International Phone Code: 260

Currency Code: Zambian kwacha (ZMK)

Internet Country Code: .zm

US Embassy Location: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues, Lusaka

US Embassy Mailing Address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka