Zambia
republicIndependence 24 October 1964 (from UK)
Zambia as the 1994 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 115 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Southern Africa, between Zaire and Zimbabwe
22 fieldstotal area
752,610 sq km
land area
740,720 sq km
comparative area
slightly larger than Texas
International disputes
- quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement;
- Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it is reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has been settled
Natural resources
copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower potential
arable land
7%
permanent crops
0%
meadows and pastures
47%
forest and woodland
27%
other
19%
current issues
- poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros and elephant populations;
- deforestation;
- soil erosion;
- desertification
natural hazards
NA
international agreements
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
People
22 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1994 est.)
total population
44.18 years
male
43.82 years
female
44.54 years (1994 est.)
noun
Zambian(s)
adjective
Zambian
note
about 70 indigenous languages
total population
73%
male
81%
female
65%
by occupation
agriculture 85%, mining, manufacturing, and construction 6%, transport and services 9%
Government
Republic
28 fieldsLegislature, 150 seatsone dot, one seat
conventional long form
Republic of Zambia
conventional short form
Zambia
former
Northern Rhodesia
Administrative divisions
9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western
Legal system
- based on English common law and customary law;
- judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council;
- has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
chief of state and head of government
- President Frederick CHILUBA (since 31 October 1991);
- Vice President Levy MWANAWASA (since 31 October 1991);
- election last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held in 1996);
- results - Frederick CHILUBA 84%, Kenneth KAUNDA 16%
cabinet
Cabinet; appointed by the president from members of the National Assembly
National Assembly
- elections last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held in 1996);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (150 total) MMD 125, UNIP 25;
- note - the MMD's majority was weakened by the defection of 13 of its parliamentary members during 1993 and the defeat of its candidates in 4 of the resulting by-elections
Political parties and leaders
- Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Frederick CHILUBA;
- United National Independence Party (UNIP), Kebby MUSOKATWANE;
- National Party (NP), Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA;
Member of
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-19, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFTU, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission
Ambassador Dunstan Weston KAMANA
chancery
2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
chief of mission
Ambassador Roland KUCHEL
embassy
corner of Independence Avenue and United Nations Avenue, Lusaka
mailing address
P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka
Flag
green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag
Economy
The economy has been in decline for more than a decade with falling | imports and growing foreign debt.
26 fieldsOverview
The economy has been in decline for more than a decade with falling imports and growing foreign debt. Economic difficulties stem from a chronically depressed level of copper production and ineffective economic policies. In 1991 real GDP fell by 2% and in 1992 by 3% more. An annual population growth of 3% has brought a decline in per capita GDP of 50% over the past decade. A high inflation rate has also added to Zambia's economic woes in recent years.
revenues
$665 million
expenditures
$767 million, including capital expenditures of $300 million (1991 est.)
commodities
copper, zinc, cobalt, lead, tobacco
partners
EC countries, Japan, South Africa, US, India
commodities
machinery, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, fuels, manufactures
partners
EC countries, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, US
capacity
2,775,000 kW
production
12 billion kWh
consumption per capita
1,400 kWh (1991)
Industries
copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, and fertilizer
Agriculture
- accounts for 12% of GDP and 85% of labor force;
- crops - corn (food staple), sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava;
- cattle, goats, beef, eggs
recipient
- US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $4.8 billion;
- Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.8 billion;
- OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $60 million;
- Communist countries (1970-89), $533 million
Exchange rates
Zambian kwacha (ZK) per US$1 - 344.8276 (October 1993), 156.25 (1992), 61.7284 (1991), 28.9855 (1990), 12.9032 (1989)
Communications
14 fieldsNetworkskm
total
36,370 km
paved
6,500 km
unpaved
crushed stone, gravel, stabilized earth 7,000 km; improved, unimproved earth 22,870 km
total
113
usable
103
with permanent-surface runways
13
with runways over 3,659 m
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m
22
Telecommunications
- facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa;
- high-capacity microwave connects most larger towns and cities;
- broadcast stations - 11 AM, 5 FM, 9 TV;
- satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
Defense Forces
Army, Air Force, Police
3 fieldsCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Zambia.” The World Factbook 1994. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/zambia/1994.