Zambia
country at the crossroads of Central and Southern Africa
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Zambia is a country located on the continent of Africa [1]. It was established on October 24, 1964 . The official language of Zambia is English [2].
The country has a population of 19.6M as of 2022 [3] and covers an area of 753k [4].
Zambia operates on the time zones UTC+02:00 and Africa/Lusaka [5].
It is situated in a specific region, with its characteristics defined by its geographical and demographic features, including its population and area [3] [4].
World Factbook
CIA reference data · 4 sections
Geography
Location
Southern Africa, east of Angola, south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Climate
tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)
Terrain
mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains
Natural resources
copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower
People & Society
Languages
Bemba 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.)
Religions
Protestant 75.3%, Roman Catholic 20.2%, other 2.7% (includes Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha'i), none 1.8% (2010 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Independence
24 October 1964 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day, 24 October (1964)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and customary law
Economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$79.207 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$3,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
4% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
15% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
6% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Switzerland 27%, China 15%, India 13%, UAE 12%, DRC 10% (2023)
Imports - partners
South Africa 25%, China 15%, UAE 10%, India 5%, Japan 5% (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook · public domain (US gov work, 17 USC §105) · fetched 2026-05-06
Key Facts
- Member of: United Nations[3], African Union[4], World Trade Organization[5], Lomé Convention[6], African Development Bank[7], Commonwealth of Nations[8], Food and Agriculture Organization[9], Group of 77[10], International Atomic Energy Agency[11], International Bank for Reconstruction and Development[12], International Civil Aviation Organization[13]
- Country: Zambia[14]
- Head of government: Edgar Lungu[15]
- Continent: Africa[16]
- Instance of: republic[17], landlocked country[18], country[19]
- Head of state: Hakainde Hichilema[20]
- Capital: Lusaka[21]
- Official language: English[22]
- Currency: Zambian Kwacha[23]
- Shares border with: Zimbabwe[24], Tanzania[25], Democratic Republic of the Congo[26], Malawi[27], Mozambique[28], Namibia[29], Angola[30], Botswana[31]
- Top-level Internet domain: .zm[32]
- Anthem: Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free[33]
- Basic form of government: presidential system[34], representative democracy[35]
- Named after: Zambezi River[36]
- Contains the administrative territorial entity: Central Province[37], Copperbelt Province[38], Eastern Province[39], Luapula Province[40], Lusaka Province[41], Northern Province[42], Northwestern Province[43], Southern Province[44], Western Province[45], Muchinga Province[46]
- Flag: flag of Zambia[47]
- Legislative body: National Assembly[48]
- Executive body: Cabinet of Zambia[49]
- Coat of arms: coat of arms of Zambia[50]
- Part of: Southern Africa[51]
- Commons category: Zambia[52]
- Licence plate code: Z[53]
- Located in time zone: UTC+02:00[54], Africa/Lusaka[55]
- Foundational text: Constitution of Zambia[56]
Why It Matters
Zambia has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[57] Zambia is known by 45 alternative names across languages and contexts.[58]