Zambia mainland capital neighboring countries large river. Description of Zambia. Where is Zambia? - country on the world map

Lusaka occupies a rather advantageous position in the central part of the country. The capital is located at an altitude of 1280 m above sea level in a tropical zone with a subequatorial climate. There are clearly three seasons here: rainy and warm (November-April), dry and cool (May-July), warm and dry (August-October). The warmest month in Lusaka is January, the thermometer at this time rises to +21 degrees, in July the air temperature drops to +15.

The average annual precipitation is about 850 mm, with most falling as rain from November to April. During the rainy season, soils are flooded and impassable swamps form; at this time, the city maintains contact with the world only thanks to the presence of highways.

In the vicinity of Lusaka, natural vegetation of savannas and savannah woodlands has been preserved. The fauna in the vicinity of the capital is represented by populations of elephants, antelopes, zebras, giraffes, as well as predatory animals. The world of birds is very diverse; in addition to local species, there are migratory species from the north. Within the city limits one often encounters the tsetse fly, the main carrier of sleeping sickness pathogens.

Population, language, religion

Lusaka is the most Big City Zambia, its population is more than 1.3 million people. Ethnic composition capital is represented mainly by the peoples of the Bantu language family - these are the Bemba, Tonga, Lozi, Chewa, Malawi, Nyandaka tribes, etc., there are also a large number of immigrants from European countries.

The official language spoken by many residents of the capital is English. Informal interpersonal communication is carried out using local dialects (Bemba, Lozi, Luvale, Tonga, Nyanja). Most of the capital's population adheres to traditional local beliefs; there are Christians, among whom Catholics and Protestants predominate.

Story

Lusaka is a relatively young city, built in 1905 on the site of a small village whose population was mainly engaged in agricultural activities. New town was supposed to become a stronghold for Zambia, whose economy was experiencing a period of expansion, which was largely facilitated by the preservation high prices for copper on the world market and the assistance of foreign powers, along the route of trains along the new Livingston - Broken Hill (now Kabwe) railway line.

The city, whose layout included comfortable European-style quarters, was named after one of the tribal leaders. Thus, the appearance and name of the future capital of an independent state harmoniously combined local traditions and the best European achievements.

In 1931 Lusaka became administrative center British protectorate of Northern Rhodesia, and in 1964, as a result of the proclamation of Zambia as an independent republic, it was elected as the capital of the new state entity. Gradually, Lusaka turned into the largest political center of Zambia; the most important political events took place here (elections of presidents and members of the houses of parliament, adoption of the new constitution in 1991, etc.)

There have been significant changes in cultural life capital and economy. With the assistance of the Chinese authorities, a railway line was built from Lusaka to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam.

Culture, sights

Lusaka – Cultural Center Zambia. This is where most of the educational institutions countries. The city has the University of Zambia (it has an Institute for African Studies), there are also technical, pedagogical, and agricultural colleges, city ​​Library, anthropological museum and village museum of African life.

Particularly noteworthy is the Zintu Community Museum, which presents to visitors the traditional applied arts of the peoples living in Zambia. Lusaka is home to the National Research Council and the Zambia Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society, there are several cinemas and a small theater where local amateur groups stage performances.

The city is not rich in architectural and historical monuments, however, it does have many galleries showcasing the work of local artists. The Visual Gallery is rightfully considered the best of these exhibition centers. visual arts Henry Tayali in the Showgrounds area, Mpala Gallery and the Sculpture Garden at the Garden House Hotel, located near the center.

Another Lusaka attraction is the Kamwala craft market, which occupies several shopping blocks south of the central districts. This market is located in the open air and, with its diversity and noise, resembles oriental bazaars. Other attractions of the city include the National Museum, the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Crucifixion, a zoo and a botanical park.

The very first taxi ride in Lusaka from the airport to the hotel becomes an unforgettable event for every guest of Zambia. Lusaka is not just an oriental, noisy and disorganized city. In European eyes, Lusaka appears as an almost insurmountable chaos. At first, most new arrivals have an overwhelming desire to get out of this mess as quickly as possible. But already “at second glance” the special charm of the Zambian capital is revealed and this city, if it does not make you fall in love with it, then no longer seems as disgusting as it seemed quite recently.

Until 1905, on the site of the current dirty metropolis there was a village with the romantic name Manda, to which the European colonists of Northern Rhodesia added “Hills”, and this place became known as Manda Hills. A railway line was built from Livingstone, which served as the capital of Rhodesia, and the future Lusaka began its rapid growth, becoming by 1935 the main political and economic center of this british colony. In 1964, immediately after the declaration of independence of Zambia, Lusaka became its full-fledged capital.

The city of Lusaka is the result of a painful search for its own path, which all the peoples of Africa have passed or which they still have to go through: caught between tradition and modernity, between dependence and their own initiatives, between occupation and colonial masters, socialist independence and democracy.

Lusaka treats like everyone else African cities, to the “real Africa”, for it is not only nature and wild territories that today determine the strength, energy and characteristics of the Dark Continent. The markets of Lusaka are chaos, like the movement of beehives. Thousands of market stalls, restaurants, hairdressers, fishmongers, fruit sellers, mobile stalls and all kinds of food. Collections of second-hand clothing that come here from Europe and the USA are enjoyed not only by local residents, but also Western tourists.

Behind last years Lusaka has changed beyond recognition. While walking around the city, you can immediately notice a large number of completely new shops, as well as great amount construction sites. Old historical buildings are being restored, and new houses and complexes are being built nearby.

The city has its own university, which opens up broad prospects for the whole country. Now Zambian students do not have to go to other countries for knowledge; they can get it at home. With all the innovations and changes, the city is a clear example of the opportunities that economic freedom brings.

But despite vigorous privatization and all the economic efforts and initiatives, Zambia continues to remain one of the poorest countries in the world. Lusaka, on its 70 square kilometers, clearly shows all the problems of this African state: after the declaration of independence, the city's population almost tripled and continues to grow day by day, because many Zambians still go to their capital in search of work and food.

There is no control over such a massive influx of people, which is why the city is experiencing problems with overpopulation. Indeed, Lusaka is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The expansion of the city's territory occurs without any plan; the metropolis is growing with high-rise buildings, suburbs and slums completely spontaneously.

Lusaka's greatest advantage is its wonderful climate: summers are warm and sunny, the winds bring a refreshing coolness to the city, and winters with temperatures between 10 and 26 degrees Celsius are also very mild. Air humidity does not exceed 40%.

In addition to climatic temptations, Lusaka is ready to offer its guests a relatively wide range of hotels for almost any budget. In addition, the capital with its city airport is an important transport hub in this part of Africa and, due to its location, appears to be an excellent starting point for travel to Zambia and neighboring countries.

The capital of Zambia has not been and is unlikely to ever become tourist center. This is a typically African city of 3.5 million, reminiscent of an immensely expanded village with only one main street where there are a dozen and a half clearly “Soviet” high-rise buildings, some of which are still abandoned. And all around are slums of urban poverty, staying in which is not only unnecessary, but also absolutely dangerous.

Walking along the central street of Lusaka, called "Cairo road", you can guess the historical milestones of the young state even before you read its history.

In the center of Lusaka is the historic Lusaka Hotel, built in 1912 and given its current name in 1926. In those years, the city's population was only 2,300 people, a third of whom were Europeans. This pleasant colonial building stood in the middle of green parks, and nothing disturbed the sedate rhythm of life of its inhabitants.

National Assembly Building and National Museum of Zambia. This is not just a house, but National Museum state, seemingly the epicenter of Zambian pride and a magnet for tourists, is surrounded by a gnarled, rusty fence, behind which is a vacant lot overgrown with weeds and littered with garbage. The crane, according to locals, has been standing for many years. What if they decide to finish building something? It would be better if it stayed the same, the city men decided, having abandoned both the construction site and the crane in the early 90s, because there was no one to pay for it all - the USSR had come to rest.

Not far from the National Assembly there is a monument to freedom and independence. The Freedom Monument reflects the extremely difficult situation that developed in Africa in the 60-70s of the last 20th century. The colonial empires of the British, French and Portuguese were rapidly collapsing, and the liberated peoples of Africa quickly rushed to share the land and property left by the whites.

The Zambian leader in those years, Kenneth Kaunda, we must give him his due, did everything in the name of preserving the integrity of Zambia, and did not allow any intertribal strife. This came at a difficult price, because Zambia turned into a backyard and a base for oppositions of all stripes and nationalities. It was from the territory of Zambia that Chimurenga’s troops operated against the white leadership of Southern Rhodesia, led by the current President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe. In addition, under pressure from the Soviet bloc, Kaunda allowed the rebel movements of Angola, Mozambique and South Africa to use Zambian territory. This could not but affect the country's relations with its neighbors.

Zambia, geographically landlocked, and by the early 70s had completely ruined relations with all its neighbors, was faced with the need to seek access to the outside world. The border with Rhodesia was closed, South Africa closed the border to Zambian goods and demanded the expulsion from Zambia of the ANC, whose leader, Nelson Mandela, later became the first black president of South Africa. Relations with the Congo were bad, and there was a war in Angola. As a result, construction began with the help of the Chinese railway Tazara, leading from Lusaka to Tanzanian Dar Es Salaam, which is on the coast Indian Ocean. The blockade was broken, and tourists to this day have the opportunity to travel across southern Africa by train. Unless, of course, you don’t mind spending 2 to 6 days in a carriage, depending on your karma and the technical condition of ancient locomotives.

Don't let Lusaka Railway Station instill in you romantic thoughts about a trans-African tour in the style of Hemingway's The Snows of Kilimanjaro. The fact is that Lusaka Station generates only two passenger trains per week to Livingston, which are not recommended by the cashiers themselves (who appear in the station building only on the day of train departure). It’s just that the state of the tracks and rolling stock is such that even if you strictly follow the schedule, in the most ideal scenario you will cover the 470 km route to Livingston in 18 hours. For comparison, quite civilized buses departing every hour from the bus station located exactly opposite the station will take you to Livingston in just 7-8 hours.

Zambia on a map of Africa
(all pictures are clickable)

The Republic of Zambia is located at the junction of subcontinents, one half of it is East Africa, the other half belongs to the South. The country has common border with Tanzania and Malawi in the east, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the north. It is surrounded in the south by four states (Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe), and in the west its main neighbor is Angola. There is no access to the sea.

Geographical position

The area of ​​Zambia is quite large - 752.6 km² (38th place in the world ranking). The territory of the state is divided between the basins of two rivers - the Zambezi (most of it) and the Congo. This is a continuous plateau, the height of which decreases towards the south. In the north and northeast there are several large lakes: Tanganyika, which Zambia shares with Tanzania, surrounded by the Bangweulu and Mweru swamps (the border with DR Congo passes through it).

The local climate by African standards is surprisingly mild, very comfortable in the tropics. It is customary to distinguish three seasons: wet, dry and hot. The first begins in November-December - over the next four months Zambia receives maximum rainfall. It is warm and humid day and night, and roads can be washed out due to rainfall.

The period from April to the end of August is cooler, with strong daily temperature fluctuations (from +27 during the day to +7 °C at night). Frosts occur in the western elevations. The hot period begins in autumn, at which time the thermometer can show up to +40 °C.

Flora and fauna

The climate and abundance of water bodies provide a unique diversity of local flora. Savannahs with acacia thickets and baobab trees turn into real tropical forests entwined with vines. Zambia- record holder for the number of nature reserves and national parks, they occupy a third of the country's area.

Here you can see the rarest representatives of African fauna listed in the Red Book - for example, dwarf crocodiles. Savannahs are home to large mammals, herbivores and predators: lions, elephants, antelopes, rhinoceroses, zebras, giraffes. There are a lot of birds and insects.

State structure

Zambia Map

Zambia is a multiparty republic whose president has broad powers. He can dissolve the cabinet or veto decisions of parliament (National Assembly). The latter consists of 150 elected representatives and 8 deputies appointed by the head of state. The country has ten provinces, each of which is divided into districts. The capital and largest city is Lusaka.

Population

Zambia has a permanent population of about 14.6 million people, half of whom are urban residents. Europeans and people from the Asian region make up no more than 1.5%, the rest are representatives of almost 70 local tribes (Bemba, Tonga, Lozi, etc.). The country speaks many languages, eight of which are considered official (including English). The main religion is Christianity, which coexists well with numerous African cults.

The birth rate exceeds the death rate three times, but the overall health situation is unfavorable. A very small percentage of the population reaches 50 years of age. The level of AIDS infection is high (about 14%).

Economy

This state is considered one of the poorest in the world - and at the same time, the most attractive for investors. The local mineral resources are extremely rich, containing precious metals and uranium, emeralds and copper, as well as coal, cobalt, zinc and lead. Today, the mining industry is experiencing a boom thanks to foreign investment.

The tourism sector is actively developing - in Lately the region receives up to a million foreign visitors a year. Like many others among the list of African countries, Zambia pays attention to the sphere Agriculture: Cereals are grown primarily for domestic consumption, while cotton and tobacco are exported.

Initially, Bushmen and Hottentots lived in this territory; later they were ousted by the Bantus, who founded their own state with elements of a slave system. European and Arab merchants first arrived here in the 18th century, but only a century later the actual colonization of the land by the British began, and the country itself appeared on maps under the name Northern Rhodesia.

Zambia regained its independence in 1964. During the same period, a course was set for the construction of a “humanistic society” and complete nationalization. Over the quarter century during which this policy continued, the state reached the complete collapse of the economy.

Attractions

The main attractions of Zambia are its unique natural landscapes and animal world. Tourists come to the country to visit the national natural Park Luangwa, see the Cherundu petrified forest and Victoria Falls. Rafting on the Zambezi is very popular among extreme sports enthusiasts.

Zambia- a state in the south Central Africa. In the north it borders Democratic Republic Congo and Tanzania, in the east - with Malawi, in the southeast - with Mozambique, in the south - with Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, in the west - with Angola.

The name comes from the name of the Zambezi River.

Capital: Lusaka.

Square: 752,614 km2.

Population: 9770 thousand people

Administrative division: The state is divided into 9 provinces.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Big cities: Ndola, Livingstone, Kabwe.

Official language: English.

Religion: 60% are pagans, 30% are Christians.

Ethnic composition: 98.7% are Bantu peoples, 1.1% are Europeans.

Currency: Kwacha = 100 ngweyam.

Climate

Despite the fact that Zambia is located in the tropical zone, the climate in the country is mild subtropical. The average annual temperature is + 19 °C. The rainy season lasts from November to March. Annual precipitation ranges from 700 mm in the south to 1500 mm in the north.

Flora

Almost the entire territory of the state is occupied by savannah, where a large number of baobabs and acacias are found; teak forests grow in the southwest. Tropical rainforests are common in the valleys.

Fauna

The animal world of Zambia is characterized by elephant, lion, rhinoceros, several species of antelope, zebra, jackal, hyena, and crocodile. There are a large number of snakes and birds. Ostriches are occasionally seen. Termites, mosquitoes, and tsetse flies are common.

Rivers and lakes

The main rivers are the Zambezi and its tributaries Kafue and Luangwa, as well as the Luapula and Chambeshi. Largest lakes- Bangweulu, South part lake Tanganyika, East End Mneru and Kariba are the largest reservoir.

Attractions

National parks, Victoria Falls, as well as the city of Kabwe, near which the remains of “Rhodesian man”, who lived at the same time as the Neanderthal man, were found. There is an Anthropological Museum in the capital.

Useful information for tourists

The most common type of housing is round huts with clay or wicker walls and a conical reed roof. Traditions and the sense of belonging to one's clan play an exceptional role in the lives of Zambians, determining their daily behavior.

Two kinship systems are widespread: patrilineal - kinship through the male line and matrilineal - through the female line. The first is found among the Tonga, the second among the Bemba. Zambia attracts foreign tourists with its pristine nature: 19 national parks, one of the world's largest Victoria Falls.

Not far from Livingston there is the Maramba Cultural Center - an open-air ethnographic museum: more than 50 buildings representing typical dwellings different nations. Near them, folk craftsmen demonstrate their skills in traditional crafts.

Zambia area. 752,614 km2.

Population of Zambia. 9770 thousand people

Administrative divisions of Zambia. The state is divided into 9 provinces.

Zambia form of government. Republic.

Head of State of Zambia. President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Highest legislative body of Zambia. Unicameral Parliament (National Assembly).

Higher executive agency Zambia. Government (Cabinet of Ministers).

Major cities in Zambia. Ndola, Livingstone, Kabwe.

Official language of Zambia. English.

Religion of Zambia. 60% are pagans, 30% are Christians.

Ethnic composition of Zambia. 98.7% are Bantu peoples, 1.1% are .

Currency of Zambia. Kwacha = 100 ngweyam.

Fauna of Zambia. The animal world of Zambia is characterized by elephant, lion, rhinoceros, several species of antelope, zebra, jackal, hyena, and crocodile. There are a large number of snakes and birds. Ostriches are occasionally seen. Termites, mosquitoes, and tsetse flies are common.

Rivers and lakes of Zambia. The main rivers are the Zambezi and its tributaries Kafue and Luangwa, as well as the Luapula and Chambeshi. The largest lakes are Bangweulu, the southern part of the lake, the eastern part of Mneru and Kariba - the largest.

Sights of Zambia. National parks, as well as the city of Kabwe, near which the remains of “Rhodesian man”, who lived at the same time as Neanderthal man, were found. There is an Anthropological Museum in the capital.

Useful information for tourists

The most common type of housing is round huts with clay or wicker walls and a conical reed roof. Traditions and the sense of belonging to one's clan play an exceptional role in the lives of Zambians, determining their daily behavior. There are two common kinship systems: patrilineal - kinship through the male line and matrilineal - through the female line. The first is found among, the second - among Bemba. Zambia attracts foreign tourists with its pristine nature: 19 national parks, one of the world's largest Victoria Falls. Not far from Livingston there is the Maramba Cultural Center - an open-air ethnographic museum: more than 50 buildings represent typical dwellings of different peoples. Near them, folk craftsmen demonstrate their skills in traditional crafts.