Zambia Country & Tourist Information

Location
Central southern Africa.

Area
752,614 sq km (290,586 sq miles).

Population
11.9 million (UN estimate 2007).

Population Density
15.8 per sq km.

Capital
Lusaka.
Population: 1 million (2005).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1964.

Language
English is the official language, but there are over 73 local dialects. The main languages are Bemba, Kaonde, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja and Tonga.

Religion
Around 30% of the population is Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic), a smaller number are Muslim and Hindu, and a small minority have traditional animist beliefs.

Time
GMT + 2.

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of State
President Rupiah Banda (acting) since 2008.

Recent History
Following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa in Paris in August 2008, Vice President Rupiah Banda took over. Under the Zambian constitution, an election must be held within 90 days of the presidential office becoming vacant. Mr Banda is widely expected to call an early election.

In December 2001, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) candidate Levy Mwanawasa was installed as president. In the National Assembly, the MMD was returned as the largest party but, lacking an overall majority, rules in alliance with a group of smaller parties. Mr Mwanawasa has made the fight against corruption a centerpiece of his presidency. He was re-elected in 2006.

Telephone
Country code: 260. There are public telephones and most calls are made through a post office.

Mobile Telephone
Coverage is patchy in rural areas but good around Lusaka.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in Livingstone and Lusaka.

Media
State-run radio and TV services dominate Zambia’s broadcast media. Private radio stations offer little political reporting. Libel and security laws can be used by authorities to intimidate journalists, especially those reporting on corruption. Defaming the president is a crime.

Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes 7 to 14 days.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0800-1300 (closed Sunday and public holidays).

Press
• The Post is a private English paper.
• State-owned English newspapers include the Times of Zambia, Sunday Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail.

Radio
• Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) is state run and operates three services.
• Other radio stations include Breeze FM, QFM, Radio Choice and Radio Phoenix.
• Radio Icengelo is church-owned and Yatsani Radio is a Catholic station.

Listed below are Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
9 Mar Youth Day.
10 Apr Good Friday.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May African Freedom Day (Anniversary of the OAU's Foundation). 
6 Jul Heroes' Day. 
7 Jul Unity Day. 
3 Aug Farmers' Day.
3 Sep Levy Mwanawasa Day.
24 Oct Independence Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
10 Mar Youth Day.
2 Apr Good Friday.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May African Freedom Day (Anniversary of the OAU's Foundation). 
5 Jul Heroes' Day. 
6 Jul Unity Day. 
2 Aug Farmers' Day.
3 Sep Levy Mwanawasa Day.
24 Oct Independence Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
It is advisable to verify exact dates in advance.

Contact Information:

High Commission for the Republic of Zambia in the UK
2 Palace Gate, Kensington, London W8 5NG, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 6655.
Website: www.zhcl.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300 and 1400-1700; Mon-Fri 1000-1300 (visa section).

Zambia National Tourist Board in the UK
2 Palace Gate, Kensington, London W8 5NG, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 6655.
Website: www.zambiatourism.com

Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in the USA
2419 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 265 9717.
Website: www.zambiaembassy.org


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