People

Each of Zambia’s 70 tribes has its own language, but English is widely spoken even in rural areas. More than 30 per cent of the population lives in cities, especially in the mining region known as the Copperbelt. More than 75 per cent of the population is Christian, with Islam and Hinduism the next most common religions. Many Zambians combine traditional animist practices with these faiths.

Geography

Zambia was named after the Zambezi River. It is landlocked and bordered by eight other countries. In the east and northeast the country is mostly highland plateau. The climate is moderate due to the high altitude. There are three main seasons in Zambia – a cool dry period from May to August, a hot dry season from September to November and a rainy season from December to April.

History

In the 1850s, David Livingstone travelled up the Zambezi River into Zambia. After gaining independence from Britain in 1964, the nation was ruled by Kenneth Kaunda for 27 years, during which time economic and social indicators went backwards. Multi-party elections were held for the first time in 1991.

Economy

In the early twentieth century, copper was discovered in the north-central area (now known as the Copperbelt) and large-scale mining began. When the price of copper fell in the 1970s, Zambia was forced to borrow money internationally. The country has received significant debt relief and relies heavily on aid. Despite the fall in export prices, mining continues to provide most of the country’s income. Tourism is a growing industry. Agriculture employs 85 per cent of the labour force. However, most farmers have only small plots and produce barely enough to feed their own families, especially under recurring drought conditions. Per capita income has fallen by 50 per cent since independence and 75 per cent of the population live on less than US$1 per day.

Education

In 2002, the Zambian Government made primary schooling free in a bid to improve education. Classrooms are often dilapidated and overcrowded, and there is increasing teacher absence and attrition due to HIV and AIDS. The enrolment age for primary school is 7, but many children do not start at this age due to financial constraints or distance from home to school. Primary schooling lasts for seven years. Basic schools also offer two additional years of intermediate-level education. Pass marks to get into secondary school are set high and places are limited.

HIV and AIDS

The adult HIV-prevalence rate remains high, but stable, at 16 per cent. At least 600,000 Zambian children have been orphaned as a result of AIDS. The effects of HIV and AIDS are felt throughout the country. In 2004, the Government began to invest more resources in combating HIV and AIDS and committed to provide anti-retroviral medication to 100,000 people.

Health

Zambia’s health indicators, such as maternal mortality rate (750 per 100,000 births), have become steadily worse. Contributing to this, along with extreme poverty and the increasing effects of HIV and AIDS, are contaminated water and chronic food shortages. Malaria, malnutrition, anaemia, cholera, diarrhoea and respiratory infections are common. The Government aims to reduce malaria by 75 per cent by 2011. The country has a shortage of trained medical staff, equipment and medicines. In rural areas transporting a sick person to the nearest health centre is both difficult and costly, so many people consult local healers instead.

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