Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa. The country covers an area of 752,614 square kilometres (290,586 sq mi) and has a population of 17.3 million. Zambia is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the southeast, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the south, Namibia to the southwest, and Angola to the west. The capital city is Lusaka, located in the south-central part of Zambia. The population is concentrated mainly around Lusaka in the south and the Copperbelt Province to the northwest, the core economic hubs of the country. Zambia is one of the most urbanized countries in sub-Saharan Africa. About one-third of the population lives in urban areas, concentrated mainly in Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, Kabwe, Chingola, and Livingstone. Zambia has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The terrain is generally flat to rolling plains with some hills and mountains in the east and southeast. The country is rich in natural resources, with copper and cobalt being the most abundant minerals. Zambia is also home to some of the world’s largest reserves of uranium. Other minerals found in Zambia include coal, gold, silver, zinc, lead, and tin. The official language of Zambia is English, although many Zambians also speak one of the country’s 70 indigenous languages. The majority of the population is Christian, with a small Muslim minority. Zambia is a republic with a presidential system of government. The president is the head of state and the head of government, and is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The unicameral National Assembly is the legislative body, and is composed of 158 members: 156 elected by popular vote, and two ex officio members. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Zambia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and the United Nations.