Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa with a population of 11 million, mostly made up of Bantu-speaking tribes. It fell under British rule in the 19th century and gained independence in the 1960s. Zambia is rich in minerals, especially copper, but remains a poor country due to the fall in copper prices and unstable neighboring countries. Poverty and HIV/AIDS are major problems, with 70% of the population living below the poverty line and an average life expectancy of 37 years. The country’s president works to encourage tourism, offering walking and horse safaris, views of Victoria Falls, and access to the Zambezi River.
Zambia is a country in Southern Africa which was formerly called Northern Rhodesia. Its population of about 11 million is made up mostly of Bantu-speaking tribes who migrated east and north from the South African coast, particularly the Tonga people. A second wave of immigration from the 17th to 19th centuries brought people from the Luba and Lunda tribes to reside in the area.
As the country is landlocked, it was not immediately accessible to Europeans. Indeed, unlike other African countries, Europeans did not visit Zambia until the late 18th century. Then an influx of Europeans sought to aid or exploit the population. For example, Dr. David Livingstone visited in hopes of ending the slave trade by converting the natives of Zambia to Christianity, helping them establish other lucrative trades, and attempting to introduce them to modern “civilized” ways of life. Livingstone also named and noted one of Zambia’s most beautiful features, Victoria Falls, which remains a popular tourist spot.
England, and especially the English control of Zambia, has exerted enormous influence over the country. The official language of the country is English. Most Zambians are practicing Christians. Many families live in urban environments, often very close together. There are still some subsistence farmers in small rural areas, but cities offer the promise of greater economic rewards, even if they can’t be said to deliver on those promises for most people.
Zambia fell under British rule in the 19th century and was unable to gain its independence from Britain until the 1960s. Many Britons considered Zambia a major acquisition, as it is rich in minerals and gems. Despite the high availability of minerals, especially copper, it remained a poor country. One reason is the fall in the price of copper in the 1970s and the country’s dependence on transporting materials through other countries such as Angola and the Republic of Congo where governments have been very unstable. Its poverty has led it to be one of the most indebted countries in the world, with little pardons or relief in sight.
About 70% of Zambians live below the poverty line and the HIV/AIDS problem has reached epidemic proportions. 17% of Zambian adults are infected with the virus. Life expectancy is incredibly low, with an average of 37 years.
As of 2007, Zambia was a republic, under the leadership of President Levy Mwanawasa. No independent government has yet been able to address the problems of poverty and epidemic disease plaguing the country. Especially since the country still relies on its main export of copper, little can be done to lift the country out of poverty.
He works hard to encourage his tourist trade. It offers both walking and horse safaris, views of Victoria Falls and is rated as one of the safest African countries for Americans and Europeans to visit. Access to the Zambezi River, Africa’s fourth largest river, offers plenty of opportunities for rafting or peaceful river excursions.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
