2005 Edition

Administrative divisions

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 46.5% (male 2,626,911/female 2,609,857) 15-64 years: 51.1% (male 2,848,402/female 2,904,376) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 118,043/female 154,206) (2005 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 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

10 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 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

99 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 62 under 914 m: 32 (2004 est.) 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 prosecution of former President Frederick CHILUBA and many of his supporters in late 2003. Opposition parties currently hold a majority of seats in the National Assembly. Geography Zambia

Birth rate

41.38 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$1.307 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

revenues

$1.129 billion

Capital

Lusaka

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

24 August 1991

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Zambia

conventional short form

Zambia

former

Northern Rhodesia

Currency (code)

Zambian kwacha (ZMK)

Currency code

ZMK

Current account balance

$-181.4 million (2004 est.)

Death rate

20.23 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$5.353 billion (2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Martin George BRENNAN

embassy

corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues

FAX

[260] (1) 252-225

mailing address

P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka

telephone

[260] (1) 250-955

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA

FAX

[1] (202) 332-0826

telephone

[1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719

Disputes - international

in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections and joined Namibia in supporting plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river; 90,000 Angolan refugees were repatriated from Zambia by 2004, the remaining 160,000 are expected to return in 2005

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 somewhat below the 5% to 7% needed 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. Copper output increased in 2004 and is expected to increase again in 2005, due to higher copper prices and the opening of new mines. The maize harvest was again good in 2004, helping boost GDP and agricultural exports. Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs to reduce poverty, including a new lending arrangement with the IMF in the second quarter, 2004. A tighter monetary policy will help cut inflation, but Zambia still has a serious problem with fiscal discipline.

Electricity - consumption

5.345 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

2.25 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

8.167 billion kWh (2002)

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, 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 - 4,778.9 (2004), 4,733.3 (2003), 4,398.6 (2002), 3,610.9 (2001), 3,110.8 (2000)

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 Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); 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 December 2006); vice president appointed by the president

head of government

President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Exports

$1.548 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers, cotton

Exports - partners

South Africa 25.6%, UK 17%, Switzerland 16%, Tanzania 7.4%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 7%, Zimbabwe 5.8% (2004)

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 - composition by sector

agriculture

14.9%

industry

28.9%

services

56.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.6% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$9.409 billion (2004 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

20,117 km

total

91,440 km

unpaved

71,323 km (2001)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

16.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

89,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

920,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 41% (1998)

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 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Imports

$1.519 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Africa 46.2%, UK 14.2%, UAE 7.1%, Zimbabwe 6% (2004)

Independence

24 October 1964 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

6.9% (2004 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

80.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

95.63 deaths/1,000 live births

total

88.29 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

18.3% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.zm

Internet hosts

1,880 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5 (2001)

Internet users

68,200 (2003) Transportation Zambia

Investment (gross fixed)

41.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

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

4.63 million (2004 est.)

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

92.9% (2001)

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 December 2006)

Life expectancy at birth

female

39.98 years (2005 est.)

male

39.43 years

total population

39.7 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

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and plague are high risks in some locations

water contact disease

schistosomiasis (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49: 2,219,739 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49: 1,043,702 (2005 est.)

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

16.67 years (2005 est.)

male

16.26 years

total

16.46 years

Military branches

Zambian National Defense Force (ZNDF)

Army, Air Force, Police, National Service

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$106.8 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.8% (2004) Transnational Issues Zambia

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

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 (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Pipelines

oil 771 km (2004)

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

11,261,795 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 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

86% (1993)

Population growth rate

2.12% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Mpulungu

Public debt

127.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

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) (2004)

total

2,173 km

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

158,894 (Angola) 58,405 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) 5,767 (Rwanda) (2004)

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$345 million (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

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

country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

88,400 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular

241,000 (2003)

Television broadcast stations

9 (2002)

Televisions

277,000 (1997)

Terrain

mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains

Total fertility rate

5.47 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

50% (2000 est.)

Waterways

2,250 km note: includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers (2003)