Key Facts about Zambia

Key Facts about Zambia

• It is a landlocked country in the southern region of Africa.
• Bordering states: It shares a border with eight countries: Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Capital: Its capital is Lusaka.
• Geography: It comprises four distinct geographical regions: the central plateau, major valleys, eastern highlands, and western sandy plains.
  • Central plateau: It consists mainly of gently undulating plains and hills.
  • The Valleys: Zambia has two major valleys: the Zambezi Valley and the Luangwa Valley.
    • The Zambezi Valley forms part of the country’s southern border and has lower elevations and higher temperatures.
  • Eastern Highlands (Muchinga Escarpment): They have rugged terrain, higher rainfall, and cooler temperatures.
    • They support lush forests and coffee cultivation.
  • Western Sandy Plains: It is located along the Angolan border.
    • These plains form part of the Kalahari Basin and have extensive sandy soils.
    • The region includes the Barotse Floodplain and Miombo Woodlands, supporting grasslands, woodlands, and scrublands.
• Lakes: Major lakes include Lake Tanganyika, Lake Bangweulu, Lake Mweru, and Lake Kariba.
• River: The Zambezi is the most significant river of Zambia. Other major rivers include the Kafue and Luangwa.
• Highest Point: Mafinga Mountains is the highest point of the country.
• Natural Resources: It is rich in mineral resources, including copper, cobalt, silver, uranium, lead, coal, zinc, gold, and emeralds.