Zambia is a landlocked southern African country famous for the Zambian half of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, the Copperbelt's mineral wealth, and excellent walking-safari national parks.
Geography & landscape
Zambia sits in Eastern Africa, in the southern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 752,618 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Lusaka, lies near coordinates -15°, 30°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Eastern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Zambia.
People & society
The population of Zambia is around 20M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is English, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Zambia is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Lusaka, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Zambia is the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Lusaka and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Zambia shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Zambia through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Lusaka, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +260, and clocks are set to the CAT (UTC+2) time zone. ISO standards identify Zambia as ZM (alpha-2) and ZMB (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇿🇲, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Lusaka | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Eastern Africa | — |
| Population | 20M | people |
| Area | 752,618 | km² |
| Currency | Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) | — |
| Calling code | +260 | international dialling |
| Time zone | CAT (UTC+2) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | ZM | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | ZMB | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -15 | degrees |
| Longitude | 30 | degrees |
Did you know?
Victoria Falls on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border is the largest sheet of falling water in the world by combined width and height.
