2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western

Age structure

0-14 years: 46.3% (male 2,396,313; female 2,378,567) 15-64 years: 50.9% (male 2,626,961; female 2,621,818) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 131,196; female 152,478) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides; coffee

Airports

109 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2

total

11

under 914 m

1 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

98 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 63

under 914 m

30 (2002) Military Zambia

Area

land

740,724 sq km

total

752,614 sq km

water

11,890 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Texas

Background

The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the 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 a far-reaching anti-corruption campaign in 2002, which resulted in the 2003 arrest of the previous president Frederick CHILUBA and many of his supporters. Opposition parties currently hold a majority of seats in the National Assembly. Geography Zambia

Birth rate

39.53 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$1.25 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)

revenues

$1.2 billion

Capital

Lusaka

Climate

tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

2 August 1991

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Zambia

conventional short form

Zambia

former

Northern Rhodesia

Currency

Zambian kwacha (ZMK)

Currency code

ZMK

Death rate

24.3 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$5.8 billion (2001)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Martin George BRENNAN

embassy

corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues

mailing address

P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka

telephone

[260] (1) 250-955

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA

Disputes - international

dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge

Distribution of family income - Gini index

52.6 (1998)

Economic aid - recipient

$651 million (2000 est.)

Economy - overview

Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's economic growth remains below the 5% to 7% necessary to reduce poverty significantly. Privatization of government-owned copper mines relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. However, low mineral prices have slowed the benefits of privatizing the mines and have reduced incentives for further private investment in the sector. Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs to reduce poverty.

Electricity - consumption

5.458 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

1.75 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

7.751 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

0.5%

hydro

99.5%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

lowest point

Zambezi river 329 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Ethnic groups

African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%

Exchange rates

Zambian kwacha per US dollar - NA (2002), 3,610.93 (2001), 3,110.84 (2000), 2,388.02 (1999), 1,862.07 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly

chief of state

President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Nevers MUMBA (since May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Levy MWANAWASA elected president; percent of vote - Levy MWANAWASA 29%, Anderson MAZOKA 27%, Christon TEMBO 13%, Tilyenji KAUNDA 10%, Godfrey MIYANDA 8%, Benjamin MWILA 5%, Michael SATA 3%, other 5%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006); vice president appointed by the president

head of government

President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Nevers MUMBA (since May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Exports

$709 million f.o.b. (2001)

Exports - commodities

copper 55%, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers, cotton

Exports - partners

Malawi 10.3%, Thailand 9.2%, Japan 9.1%, Saint Pierre and Miquelon 9.1%, Taiwan 8.5%, South Africa 7.8%, Egypt 6.4%, China 6.3%, Netherlands 5.5%, Tanzania 4.5% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 332-0826

[260] (1) 252-225

chancery

2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone

[1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Zambia

Flag description

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 Zambia

GDP

purchasing power parity - $8.24 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

22%

industry

26%

services

52% (2001)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $800 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.3% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

15 00 S, 30 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe People Zambia

Government type

republic

Highways

paved

NA km

total

66,781 km

unpaved

NA km (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

21.5% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

120,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1.2 million (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

41% (1998)

lowest 10%

1.1%

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$1.123 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Imports - commodities

machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing

Imports - partners

South Africa 64.4%, US 3.7%, China 3.6% (2002)

Independence

24 October 1964 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

5.1% (2001 est.)

Industries

copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture

Infant mortality rate

female

91.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

106.58 deaths/1,000 live births

total

99.29 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

21% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet country code

.zm

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5 (2001)

Internet users

25,000 (2002) Transportation Zambia

Irrigated land

460 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases)

Labor force

4.29 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 85%, industry 6%, services 9%

Land boundaries

border countries

Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km

total

5,664 km

Land use

arable land

7.08%

other

92.89% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

0.03%

Languages

English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages

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

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - MMD 45.9%, UPND 32.4%, UNIP 8.8%, FDD 8.1%, HP 2.7%, PF 0.7%, ZRP 0.7%, independents 0.7%; seats by party - MMD 68, UPND 48, UNIP 13, FDD 12, HP 4, PF 1, ZRP 1, independents 1; seats not determined 2

elections

last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006)

Life expectancy at birth

female

35.25 years (2003 est.)

male

35.25 years

total population

35.25 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write English

female

74.8% (2003 est.) Government Zambia

male

86.8%

total population

80.6%

Location

Southern Africa, east of Angola

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

16.6 years (2002)

male

16.4 years

total

16.5 years

Military branches

Army, Air Force, Police, paramilitary forces

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$33.46 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.9% (FY02) Transnational Issues Zambia

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

2,418,776 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

1,279,846 (2003 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day, 24 October (1964)

Nationality

adjective

Zambian

noun

Zambian(s)

Natural hazards

periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April)

Natural resources

copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Pipelines

oil 771 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

Agenda for Zambia or AZ [Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA]; Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Christon TEMBO]; Heritage Party or HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]; Liberal Progressive Front or LPF [Roger CHONGWE, president]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Levy MWANAWASA, acting president]; National Leadership for Development or NLD [Yobert SHAMAPANDE]; National Party or NP [Dr. Sam CHIPUNGU]; Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]; Zambian Republican Party or ZRP [Benjamin MWILA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Gwendoline KONIE]; United National Independence Party or UNIP [Francis NKHOMA, president]; United Party for National Development or UPND [Anderson MAZOKA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

10,307,333

note

estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

86% (1993)

Population growth rate

1.52% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

Mpulungu

Radio broadcast stations

AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (2001)

Radios

1.2 million (2001)

Railways

narrow gauge

2,173 km 1.067-m gauge

note

includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) (2002)

total

2,173 km

Religions

Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms

general assessment

facilities are aging but still among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

130,000 (including approximately 40,000 fixed telephones in wireless local loop connections) (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

90,000 (2002)

Television broadcast stations

9 (2002)

Televisions

277,000 (1997)

Terrain

mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains

Total fertility rate

5.25 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

50% (2000 est.)

Waterways

2,250 km

note

includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers