10 Interesting Facts about Zambia

These following facts about Zambia will certainly make you want to visit this country even once. If you love to travel much around the world, then Zambia will be one of the first places you should visit. Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa. The neighboring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west. As for that, to get to know more information about it, below are the other facts about Zambia you may be interested in.

Facts about Zambia 1: Name

The territory of what is now Zambia was known as Northern Rhodesia from 1911. It was renamed Zambia on the occasion of its independence, in 1964. The new name of Zambia was derived from the Zambezi river (Zambezi may mean “God’s river”) which flows through the western region of the country and forms its southern border.

Facts about Zambia 2: Pre-colonial Period

The earliest European to visit the area was Portuguese explorer Fransisco de Lacerda in the late 18th century. This territory, located between Portuguese Mozambique and Portuguese Angola was claimed and explored by Portugal in that period. Other European visitors followed in the 19th century.

Facts about Zambia 3: Separation

North-Eastern Rhodesia and North-Western Rhodesia were administered as separate units until 1911 when they were merged to form the British Colony of Northern Rhodesia. In 1923, the BSA Company ceded control of Northern Rhodesia to the British Government after the government decided not to renew the Company’s charter.

Facts about Zambia 4: Climate

The climate of Zambia is tropical modified by elevation. In the Koppen climate classification, most of the country is classified as humid subtropical or tropical wet and dry, with small stretches of semi-arid steppe climate in the south-west and along the Zambezi valley.

Facts about Zambia 5: Urbanization

Zambia is one of the most highly urbanised countries in sub-Saharan Africa with 44% of the population concentrated in a few urban areas along the major transport corridors, while rural areas are sparsely populated. Unemployment and underemployment in urban areas are serious problems, while most rural Zambians are subsistence farmers.

Facts about Zambia 6: Expatriates

Expatriates, mostly British or South African, as well as some white Zambian citizens, live mainly in Lusaka and in the Copperbelt in northern Zambia, where they are either employed in mines, financial and related activities or retired. There were 70,000 Europeans in Zambia in 1964, but many have since left the country.

Facts about Zambia 7: Languages

The official language of Zambia is English, which is used to conduct official business and is the medium of instruction in schools. The main local language, especially in Lusaka, is Nyanja. However, Bemba and Nyanja are spoken in the urban areas in addition to other indigenous languages which are commonly spoken in Zambia.

Facts about Zambia 8: Education

In Zambia, the education system consists of both government and private schools. Historically, the private school system began largely as a result of Christian mission efforts during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In schools, a student may initially receive two levels of education; basic education (years 1 to 9), and upper secondary (years 10 to 12).

Facts about Zambia 9: Higher Education

In Zambia, there are three universities and several technical schools that provide higher education. The Ministry of Science Technology and Vocational training (MSTVT) in Zambia was also developed in 1992 to foster growth in technological fields. However, educational opportunities beyond secondary school are limited in Zambia.

Facts about Zambia 10: Culture

Different ethnic groups started living together in towns and cities, influencing each other as well as adopting a lot of the European culture. The original cultures have largely survived in the rural areas. In the urban setting there is a continuous integration and evolution of these cultures to produce what is now called “Zambian culture”.

Those following facts about Zambbia should have made you more amazed about the country. Once you visit the country, you will be really comfortable. Instead of staying, it’s better for you to take a walk in this country to enjoy its beautiful scenery. Hope you found those Zambia facts interesting and useful.