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Zambia
Africa
Famous for Victoria Falls and copper mining, Zambia is a landlocked country with rich natural resources.
21,000,000
Population
752,612
Area (km²)
Lusaka
Capital
23
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
23 Events
September 16, 2025 - Around 176 farmers file a $80 billion lawsuit against Chinese-linked mining firms over agricultural damages from the February dam disaster; a South African court rejects the final appeal in Edgar Lungu's burial dispute.
September 15, 2025 - Two people, including a Mozambican national, are sentenced to two years for plotting to assassinate President Hichilema through witchcraft rituals.
August 08, 2025 - A South African court orders Edgar Lungu's family to repatriate his remains for a state funeral.
August 06, 2025 - The U.S. Embassy orders American personnel to evacuate areas affected by the February dam disaster due to ongoing contamination risks.
July 21, 2025 - The government announces a $1.1 billion agreement to build a crude oil refinery and energy complex in Ndola.
July 05, 2025 - A minivan collides with a locomotive in Mpika, killing nine people.
July 03, 2025 - Two foreign tourists are killed in an elephant attack in South Luangwa National Park.
June 25, 2025 - A South African court suspends the burial of former President Edgar Lungu amid a family-government dispute over funeral arrangements.
May 08, 2025 - The U.S. halts $50 million in medical aid, citing "systematic theft" of donations.
April 08, 2025 - President Hichilema signs a law mandating interception and surveillance of all electronic communications.
February 18, 2025 - The 2025 Sino-Metals Leach Zambia dam disaster occurs when a tailings dam at a Chinese-operated copper mine collapses in northern Zambia, releasing 50 million liters of toxic waste into the Kafue River, shutting down water supplies in Kitwe.
December 01, 2024 - December: The Constitutional Court bars former President Edgar Lungu from running in the 2026 elections, ruling he has served two terms; two people are arrested for plotting to hex President Hichilema via witchcraft.
November 01, 2024 - November: Authorities arrest fugitive MP Jay Emmanuel Banda in Zimbabwe on robbery charges.
October 01, 2024 - October: Zambia records its first mpox case in a 32-year-old visitor from Tanzania; eight miners die in a copper mine collapse in Chingola.
August 11, 2024 - August 11–12: The border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo closes amid a dispute over Zambian beverage imports.
August 07, 2024 - Muzala Samukonga wins bronze in the Men's 400m at the Paris Summer Olympics, setting a national record and securing Zambia's first Olympic medal in 28 years.
August 01, 2024 - August: A health warning is issued over contaminated maize after aflatoxins linked to 400 dog deaths in July; nine people die in a collapse at an illegal gravel quarry in Chongwe.
May 01, 2024 - May: Esther Lungu, wife of former President Edgar Lungu, is arrested with her daughter and a family friend on money laundering suspicions.
January 01, 2024 - January: The cholera outbreak intensifies, with over 300 confirmed deaths reported.
October 01, 2023 - October: A cholera outbreak begins, marking the worst in 20 years; by January 2024, it claims around 300 lives across eight provinces.
June 01, 2023 - June: The Official Creditors Committee (OCC) agrees to restructure $6.3 billion in loans to Zambia, a key step in the country's debt crisis resolution.
March 29, 2023 - March 29–30: Zambia co-hosts the Summit for Democracy 2023 with the U.S., focusing on regional democratic challenges and human rights.
January 07, 2023 - Zambian footballer Philemon Mulala dies at age 59 from injuries sustained in a dog attack.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zambia
100 Questions
Zambia is in Southern Africa, bordered by Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The capital is Lusaka.
Around 21 million people as of 2025 estimates.
English is official; Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, and many other local languages are widely spoken.
Tropical, with a rainy season (November–April) and a dry season (May–October).
The Zambian kwacha (ZMW).
Green with an orange eagle and vertical stripes (black, red, orange) on the right.
Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, Livingstone, and Kabwe.
On October 24, 1964, from Britain.
Kenneth Kaunda.
Hakainde Hichilema (as of 2025).
A presidential republic.
Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi, Nsenga, and over 70 groups.
Christianity is dominant, with Protestant and Catholic communities.
Around $34 billion in 2025 estimates.
About $1,600.
Around 87%.
About 64 years.
Around 4.4 children per woman.
About 65%.
Copper, cobalt, tobacco, and sugar.
Machinery, fuel, chemicals, and food.
Copper, cobalt, emeralds, gold, and fertile land.
For Victoria Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls.
The political and commercial capital.
An industrial and commercial hub on the Copperbelt.
A mining city in the Copperbelt Province.
A tourism hub near Victoria Falls.
Mafinga Hills (2,301 m).
Nshima (maize porridge), beans, fish, vegetables, and meat.
A thick maize porridge eaten with relish (sides).
A dish of vegetables cooked with groundnuts.
A “Zambian polony” made from wild orchids and groundnuts.
Maheu (fermented drink), tea, beer, and Chibuku (local brew).
Football, boxing, athletics, and rugby.
Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets).
Yes, winning in 2012.
Not yet.
Kalusha Bwalya, Christopher Katongo, Patson Daka.
Yes, winning medals in boxing and athletics.
Samuel Matete (400m hurdles), Kennedy Kanyanta (boxing).
Zamrock, Kalindula, gospel, hip-hop, and Afrobeat.
Paul Ngozi, Mampi, Macky 2, Pompi.
A popular traditional music style with bass guitar and drums.
Drums, thumb pianos (mbira), and rattles.
Makishi, Nyau, and other ethnic dances.
Chitenge (colorful fabric), worn by both men and women.
Active in farming, trade, and families, with growing political participation.
Around 84%.
Around 90%.
High, especially among youth.
Around 55%.
Maize, cassava, groundnuts, cotton, and sugarcane.
Cattle, goats, chickens, and pigs.
Improving but challenged by rural shortages and limited resources.
Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, and cholera.
Around 11% of adults.
High but declining.
Still high compared to global averages.
“Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free.”
“One Zambia, One Nation.”
The African fish eagle.
Also the African fish eagle, symbol of freedom.
Bougainvillea and flame lily are symbolic.
Elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and antelopes.
South Luangwa, Kafue, and Lower Zambezi.
Walking safaris and leopard sightings.
One of the largest parks in Africa, rich in wildlife.
Scenic river safaris and elephants.
Around 90%.
Around $1,600 annually.
High, though slowly declining.
Around 45%.
Mostly farmers in villages.
Hydropower, biomass, and some solar.
High in hydro and solar.
Overdependence on copper and high debt.
Balancing democracy, corruption control, and development.
It is the economic heart of Zambia, producing most of its copper.
Zambia’s founding father and first president.
Zambia is an active member in peace and integration efforts.
Supports health, education, and development.
Provides aid, especially in health (HIV/AIDS programs).
A major investor in mining and infrastructure.
Strong trade and regional ties.
Moderate, often 8–10%.
Low overall, higher in Lusaka and Copperbelt.
Basket weaving, pottery, wood carving, and textiles.
A Lozi traditional ceremony marking the move from floodplains to higher ground.
A Ngoni festival celebrating the first harvest.
October 24, celebrated with parades and cultural events.
A national holiday honoring Zambian freedom fighters.
Around 6% difference.
Around 7–8 years.
Lower than rural areas.
HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal health.
School overcrowding, limited resources, and teacher shortages.
Around 5 people per household.
Very rapid, with one of the highest rates in Africa.
It is rich in natural resources, home to Victoria Falls, and plays a key role in regional peace and economic integration.