Zambia,
formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, lies on the Central African
Plateau which is more than 1 100 m in elevation. The country
extends over 752 615 sq. km (half the size of Europe) and has
one of the lowest population-to-land ratios in Africa, with
only 10 million people. Zambia is one of the most urbanised
countries in Africa. About one fifth of the population lives
on the Copperbelt to the north of the capital, Lusaka, while
the largest concentration lives in Lusaka itself. This has resulted
in vast, relatively uninhabited areas across most of the country.
Most visitors
to Zambia come to enjoy the country's magnificent national parks
and wilderness areas. The country's many national parks areas
teem with a wide variety of wildlife and are also famous for
the diverse bird life. The mighty Zambezi River is one of the
longest rivers in the world. It originates in north-western
Zambia and forms most of Zambia's southern border.
Zambia's
contemporary culture is a blend of the values, norms and traditions
of more than 70 ethnically diverse people. Most of the tribes
moved into the area in a series of migratory waves from neighbouring
areas a few centuries ago, growing in number and traveling in
search of new pastures and territories.
Before the
colonial period, the region now known as Zambia had comprehensive
economic links with the outside world along trade routes on
the east and west coast of Africa. Ruins still visible are evidence
of the Arabian slave trade centuries ago. The main exports included
copper, ivory and slaves, which were exchanged for textiles,
jewellery, salt and hardware.
