Location

Southern Africa, between latitude 8 and 18 degrees east and longitude 22 and 34 degrees south

Border countries

Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe

Surface area

752 612 km2

Population

11,1 million (2004 estimate)

Population density

13,7 per km2

Capital

Lusaka, with a population of 1,5 million (estimated)

Independence

24 October 1964 from United Kingdom

Constitution

According to constitutional law, the legislative power of Zambia is vested in Parliament, which consists of the President and the National Assembly

Legal system

Based on common law. There are several specific references to English law, of which the most important are the British Acts Extension Act and English law

Political governance

Elections – The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term, and is eligible for a second term. The last election was held November 2006, and the next will be held 2011

Head of state

Rupiah Banda

Electoral system

List system with popular vote

Political system

Parliamentary democracy

Population growth rate

2,4 per cent per annum

GDP per capita

K1 528 506 (about US$380)

GDP growth rate

5,1 per cent (2005 estimate)

Literacy rate

79,9 per cent

Natural resources

Wildlife, forestry, freshwater lakes, copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, hydropower