Head
of State: President Levy
Patrick Mwanawasa
Membership of international organisations: African Union
(AU), Commonwealth, Southern African Development Community (SADC),
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
GEOGRAPHY
Zambia is a land-locked country occupying an elevated plateau in
south central Africa. Eight other countries border Zambia: Angola,
Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Democratic
Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. Zambia's shortest route to the sea
is via Zimbabwe to Beira in Mozambique.
HISTORY
Zambia’s geographical position kept it largely free of foreign
influences until the 19th century. The Lunda and Bemba kingdoms,
in what is now northern Zambia, were the largest pre-colonial
polities, joined from 1838 by the Lozi, whose kingdom still
survives today (as Barotseland). As elsewhere in southern Africa,
there was also an influx of Nguni settlers at about the same time.
But the greatest political changes began in 1890 when Cecil
Rhodes’ British South Africa Company signed a series of treaties
with local leaders, leading to the establishment of Northern
Rhodesia in 1911. Copper mining, which began in the early 20th
century, led to an influx of Europeans, although white settlement
never reached the levels it did in Southern Rhodesia. In 1953 the
two Rhodesias were joined with Nyasaland (now Malawi) in the
short-lived Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, vociferously
opposed by black nationalist leaders who saw it as a vehicle for
white domination. Following the Federation’s collapse in 1963,
Northern Rhodesia gained independence as the Republic of Zambia in
1964.
The United National Independence Party (UNIP), led by Dr Kenneth
Kaunda, won the 1964 elections. At the end of 1972 Zambia was
declared a one party state. Political and economic pressures,
largely the result of a fall in copper prices, but also of the
country’s support for independence movements elsewhere in
southern Africa, led to social unrest and a coup attempt in 1990.
Kaunda accepted the need for multiparty democracy, and in 1991 the
Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), led by the trade
unionist Frederick Chiluba, swept to power in both parliamentary
and presidential elections. UNIP became the main opposition party.
ECONOMY
Basic Economic Facts
GDP: US$ 4.5bn (2004)
GDP per capita: US$ 418 (2004)
Annual Growth: 5% (2004 estimate)
Inflation: 17.5% (2004 estimate)
Major Industries: Copper, Service Industries, Tourism,
Agriculture
Major trading partners: Japan and South Africa
The economy of newly-independent Zambia was overly reliant on a
single export, copper. The negative effect of the fall in copper
prices in the 1970s and 1980s was exacerbated by the centralised
economic policy pursued by UNIP, and its failure to develop other
sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture. Disenchantment
with UNIP’s mismanagement of the economy contributed greatly to
the party’s electoral defeat in 1991.
The new MMD government has pursued liberal economic policies, and
although their effectiveness has been bedevilled by mismanagement
and corruption, the decade since 1995 has seen sustained economic
growth unmatched since the 1960s. At 5% in 2004, real GDP is
forecast to rise to 6.4% in 2006. Following the privatisation of
the copper mining industry, new investment has revived its
prospects. Two new mines are due to open and the largest mine,
Konkola Deep, is expected to start production in 2007. Copper and
cobalt will therefore remain the main exports for the foreseeable
future. A revival in commercial agriculture, such as tobacco, is
also expected as farmers from Zimbabwe move to Zambia. But,
cyclical drought which afflicts all of southern Africa affects the
staple crop, maize, from time to time.
Zambia is to receive a US$3.9 bn debt write off after reaching
completion point in April 2005 under the IMF-World Bank HIPC
initiative.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Zambia, under Kaunda, was a founder member of the “front line
states” which played a leading role in the liberation of
neighbouring states in the 1970s and 1980s. Both the ANC of South
Africa and SWAPO of Namibia had their headquarters in Lusaka for
many years .This exposed Zambia to attacks from apartheid South
Africa. Equally Zambia’s support for ZAPU brought attacks from
the white minority regime of Southern Rhodesia. Zambia’s
sympathy for UNITA caused friction with Angola. Zambia’s economy
suffered badly when the border with Southern Rhodesia was closed
on UDI, depriving it of cheap trade routes to the south. China
financed and built the Tan-zam railway to allow Zambia to export
its copper through dar es Salaam instead. Overall, Zambia paid a
heavy price for its support of the liberation struggle in southern
Africa.
From the 1990s, with all countries in the region now independent,
Zambia has maintained good relations with its neighbours. The
spill-over from conflicts in Angola and DR Congo has occasionally
strained relations with those two countries. Zambia has hosted
thousands of refugees from both countries in UNHCR-run camps.
Since the peace agreement in Angola in 2002, most Angolan refugees
have returned home. Zambia has a good record of participation in
UN Peace-Keeping operations. Zambia hosts the headquarters of
COMESA.
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
British passport holders require a visa to enter Zambia. It is
best to obtain visas prior to travel in order to avoid any
potential problems with the airlines. Visas can be obtained
from the Zambian High Commission in London – see address
below. However, single entry visit visas are available at all
ports of entry at a cost of £35. You must pay in Sterling. It
is important to carry the exact amount with you, as change may
not be available. On leaving Zambia, non-residents pay a
departure tax of US$20, payable in Dollars. Residents can pay
either US$20 or the Kwacha equivalent.
There is a special provision for day visitors coming across
the border from Zimbabwe into Livingstone. They pay only a fee
of US$10 for a "Day Tripper Visa" but they must exit
Zambia on the same day before the border closes.
HEALTH
Please contact your own GP or
Travel clinic for the latest recommendations and advice on
vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis.
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