My Zambia country

1. By Rashod foster, Donovan Randall My Zambia country

2. Zambia has one of the lowest population to land ratio’s in Africa. Only 10 million people in a country half the size of Europe. Zambia’s important people

3. COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS Zambia is a vast plateau bordered by Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. The Zambezi River together with Lake Kariba forms the frontier with Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls, at the southern end of the man-made Lake Kariba, is one of the most spectacular sights in Africa (if not the world). In the east and northeast the country rises to a plateau 1200m (3937ft) high, covered by deciduous savannah, small trees, grassy plains or marshland Zambia important places

4. Zimbabwe's entire northern border with Zambia is the Zambezi River. The Zambezi flows over the world-renowned Victoria Falls and into the deep rocky Batoko Gorge before emptying into the vast man-made expanse of Lake Kariba one of the largest lakes of its kind in the world, a virtual inland sea. The Zambezi River below Lake Kariba, flows through the lower-Zambezi Valley, which is situated between high escarpments on both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the river. Zambia important physical feature

5. Zambia is a land locked country, located near the sub-tropics south of the Equator, and is surrounded by eight neighbouring countries, namely, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The country has a relatively large land surface, with a total area of 752,972 km2 and lies on the Central African high Plateau with an average altitude of 1 200m above sea level. The Rift Valley formations in the eastern and southern parts of the country have produced escarpment systems and valley troughs.  The most famous of the Escarpment systems is the Muchinga Escarpment.  Zambia humans and physical environment

6. Environment and natural resources UNDP's work on environment and natural resources supports the Government of the Republic of Zambia in programs and initiatives aimed at integrating environmental resources management and poverty reduction efforts in a sustainable manner. Environmental conservation and sustainable use of natural resources are important for socio-economic growth. Therefore, environmental considerations have to be included in all poverty reduction strategies, poverty reduction has to be taken into account in all environmental strategies and the strategies have to be put in place at all levels – at national and regional level as well as in the communities. UNDP is supporting the Government of the Republic of Zambia in doing this. When the country decided to develop a comprehensive National Policy on Environment to support poverty eradication, we were the key partner sharing knowledge, providing technical assistance and supporting civil society organizations and communities to participate effectively. The resulting policy is based on the Millennium Development Goals and the imperative to maintain the integrity of the country's ecosystem. UNDP’s role in putting the policy into action will concentrate on supporting the Government in enhancing management of the environmental sector. On the one hand it is important to strengthen the existing institutions so that they can better meet their responsibilities in enforcing environmental standards and managing natural resources in a sustainable way – and on the other hand it is important to forge new partnerships between public sector, private sector and the communities. Geographic factors and natural resources

7. Zambia is a vast plateau bordered by Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. The Zambezi River together with Lake Kariba forms the frontier with Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls, at the southern end of the man-made Lake Kariba, is one of the most spectacular sights in Africa (if not the world). In the east and northeast, the country rises to a plateau 1200m (3937ft) high, covered by deciduous savannah, small trees, grassy plains or marshland. The magnificent Luangwa and Kafue National Parks have some of the most prolific animal populations in Africa. Zambia location

8. Zambia Culture is a unique amalgamation of the cultural traits, traditions and customs of the numerous tribes, who have made Zambia their homeland. Ethnic diversity is the hallmark feature of Zambian culture. Zambia, now boasts of people with seventy various ethnic origins.The land now regarded as Zambia has witnessed several phases of migration. The culture of Zambia, as it has developed, has gradually incorporated the key skills and way of life of these migratory people, to form a coherent whole. The cultural heritage of Zambia is an embodiment of the distinctiveness of each tribe inhabiting the land, yet coalescing to form a unity.The pre-colonial, colonial and post colonial history of Zambia narrates the process of the formation of Zambia culture. The pre colonial period marked the influx of the tribes while the colonial phase saw these people of varying ethnicities bonding together driven by commercial interests. Another very important influence on the development of Zambia culture was westernization. Never the less, the people of Zambia have always worked towards arriving at a healthy balance between modern value system and traditional value system.The diversity in Zambian culture is reflected through the cultural forms like music, dance, food, religion, customs and crafts. Drum is an integral part of Zambian music and dance and is a must in all major celebrations. Basket making is Zambia is a popular handicraft and Zambian baskets have earned a global reputation. Zambian customs that accompany important events in life, bring alive the culture of Zambia.Last but not the least, it is the people of Zambia and their amicable nature, warmth and simplicity that further enhance the beauty of Zambia culture. Zambia culture

9. Zambia became a republic immediately upon attaining independence in October 1964. The constitution promulgated on August 25, 1973, abrogated the original 1964 constitution. The new constitution and the national elections that followed in December 1973 were the final steps in achieving what was called a "one-party participatory democracy."The 1973 constitution provided for a strong president and a unicameral National Assembly. National policy was formulated by the Central Committee of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the sole legal party in Zambia. The cabinet executed the central committee's policy.In accordance with the intention to formalize UNIP supremacy in the new system, the constitution stipulated that the sole candidate in elections for the office of president was the person selected to be the president of UNIP by the party's general conference. The second-ranking person in the Zambian hierarchy was UNIP's secretary general.In December 1990, at the end of a tumultuous year that included riots in the capital and a coup attempt, President Kenneth Kaunda signed legislation ending UNIP's monopoly on power. Zambia enacted a new constitution in August 1991, which enlarged the National Assembly from 136 members to a maximum of 158 members, established an electoral commission, and allowed for more than one presidential candidate who no longer had to be a member of UNIP. The constitution was amended again in 1996 to set new limits on the presidency (including a retroactive two-term limit, and a requirement that both parents of a candidate be Zambian-born). The National Assembly is comprised of 150 directly elected members, up to eight presidentially-appointed members, and a speaker. Zambia is divided into nine provinces, each administered by an appointed deputy minister who essentially performs the duties of a governor. Zambia goverment