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ZAMBIA FACT SHEET
Although Zambia is a landlocked country its most impressive attributes have to do with water. Zambia lies in the watersheds between the Congo and the Zambezi River systems. The country takes its name from the latter which rises in the northwest corner of the country and forms the southern boundary - a continuum of water that stretches for 1550 miles to the Indian Ocean. The course of the river embraces Zambia's most spectacular feature. Victoria Falls the most imposing sight in the Southern Hemisphere. Much of this country lies on a high plateau ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level. Covering an area slightly larger than Texas, Zambia shares borders with Malawi to the east, Angola to the west Zaire to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, Mozambique to the southeast, and Zimbabwe to the south.
HISTORY
Straddling one of the main migration routes in south-eastern Africa, Zambia was inhabited by a succession of prehistoric cultures. Evidence of human habitation dates back to nearly half a million years ago, and is evident from the remains of early Iron Age people. Most of the present population of Zambia are descendants of Bantu-speaking people who invaded the country from the 16th century onward. At the start of the 19th century Zambia suffered a multi-pronged invasion: slave trading Arabs and Portuguese from the north and south, the Zulu from the east and the Kololo from the west. With the exception of the fast-growing Bemba group in the north. the established orders fast crumbled. European penetration began at the end of the 18th century and brought with it the famed explorer David Livingstone. British influence intensified, and in 1924 the territory was handed over to the British government for formal administration and was then known as Northern Rhodesia. In 1964 Zambia became Africa's 36th independent nation.
ECONOMY
The basis of Zambia's economy is the mining of copper and cobalt, which together provides 95% of the country's foreign exchange earnings. However Zambia is undergoing extensive efforts to diversify its economic base, which is reflected in its agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The export of electricity has become an increasingly important source as income, as has international tourism. Although Zambia has faced many economic woes in the past it is still one of Africa's most prosperous countries, and has made great strides in the even distribution of wealth and education amongst its peoples.
CLIMATE
Zambia has a moderate climate due to its elevation even though it lies well into the tropics.
With the seasons reversed, spring and summer are October - March, and fall and winter are
April - September. November brings rains that continue through March, with the dry season being May through August. The ideal tourist season is generally May through November, although one can count on at least four hours of sunshine per day, throughout the year.
Weather in Lusaka: Alt 4.191 feet
| Temp (F) |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
July |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Avg Low |
63 |
63 |
62 |
59 |
54 |
50 |
49 |
53 |
59 |
64 |
64 |
63 |
| Avg High |
78 |
79 |
78 |
79 |
77 |
73 |
73 |
77 |
84 |
88 |
84 |
80 |
| Days no rain |
10 |
11 |
16 |
27 |
30 |
30 |
31 |
31 |
30 |
28 |
19 |
14 |
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