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Zambia Facts & Worksheets

The Republic of Zambia, or simply Zambia, is a landlocked country located in the region of Southern-Central Africa.

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The Republic of Zambia, or simply Zambia, is a landlocked country located in the region of Southern-Central Africa. Other geographers consider it a part of East Africa as well. The capital city of Zambia is Lusaka. Zambia is known for being rich in natural resources and the beautiful diversity of its wildlife.

See the fact file below for more information on Zambia, or you can download our 23-page worksheet Zambia pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

GENERAL FACTS

  • The official name of Zambia is the Republic of Zambia.
  • Zambia’s capital and largest city is Lusaka.
  • Zambia’s motto is “One Zambia, One Nation.”
  • Zambia’s government is a Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic.
  • Zambia’s flag is a green field with a rectangular block consisting of red, black, and orange stripes.
  • Over the block is an eagle in flight.

ETYMOLOGY

  • Zambia was known as Northern Rhodesia from 1911.
  • In 1964, it was renamed Zambia, a name derived from the Zambezi River, which may mean “Grand River.”

GEOGRAPHY

  • Zambia is a landlocked country, bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the southeast, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the south, Namibia to the southwest, Angola to the west.
  • Zambia has a total area of 752,618 square kilometers or 290,587 square miles.

DEMOGRAPHICS

  • The citizens of Zambia are called Zambians.
  • Zambia consists of a wide variety of ethnic groups. 
  • The main groups out of the 73 ethnic groups (mostly Bantu-speaking) are the Nyanja-Chewa, Bemba, Tonga, Kaonde, Chewa, Lunda, Luvale, Nkoya, and Lozi.
  • Though the Zambian population is ethnically diverse, 95.5% of the Zambian populace subscribes to Christianity; the rest subscribe to other religions or have no religious beliefs.
  • English is the official language of Zambia.
  • According to a 2018 estimate, the Zambian populace has grown to 17,351,708.

FLAG DESIGN

  • The flag was adopted on October 24, 1964. 
  • The flag was designed by Gabriel Ellison.
  • Here are the flag’s symbolisms:
    • Green represents Zambia’s flora.
    • Black represents the people of Zambia. 
    • Red represents Zambia’s struggle for freedom.
    • Orange represents Zambia’s natural resources and wealth.
    • The eagle represents the ability of Zambian people to overcome challenges.

HISTORY

  • Zambia was originally inhabited by the Khoisan, the indigenous people of South Africa.
  • Bantu people settled in Zambia as part of the Bantu expansion, a period of the largest human migrations in history.
  • The first Bantu settlement arrived in Zambia around the 1st millennium AD.
  • The Bantu communities were known to be self-sufficient settlements that lived in villages and thrived on farming.
  • The second wave of Bantu settlers reportedly took the western route via the Congo Basin to get to Zambia.
  • Around the 12th century, the settlers benefited from long-distance trade.
  • The population continued to increase until the establishment of kingdoms began in the 1500s: Chewa in the east; Lozi in the west; Bemba and Lunda in the north, among others.
  • Sometime in the 1850s, an explorer named David Livingstone became the first European to see the waterfalls on the Zambezi River, which he named Victoria Falls after Queen Victoria.
  • In the late 19th century, the British Empire colonized the territory, largely rooted in the efforts of Cecil Rhodes, and divided it into the protectorates of Barotseland-North-Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia.
  • In 1923, Southern Rhodesia was annexed and became self-governing.
  • The following year, Northern Rhodesia became a protectorate of the British colony.
  • In 1953, Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia were united with Nyasaland (modern-day Malawi) as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
  • In 1962, the results of a two-part election included an African majority making up the legislative council.
  • The council worked to pass resolutions that warranted Northern Rhodesia’s self-government and separation from the federation.
  • The federation was dissolved in December 1963.
  • On October 24, 1964, Northern Rhodesia officially became independent and was renamed the Republic of Zambia.
  • One of the initial issues Zambia faced at a domestic level was that Zambians trained for governance were few and far between.
  • Prime Minister Kenneth Kaunda became Zambia’s inaugural president upon independence.
  • Halfway through the 1970s, there was an extreme decline in the price of copper, which was Zambia’s main export.
  • Zambia’s debt continued to increase despite receiving support from foreign lenders for relief.
  • Zambia’s per capita foreign debt became one of the highest in the world by the mid-1990s.

CULTURE

Before Zambia was established, ethnic tribes lived independently, but colonization forced them to live together. 

  • Arts
    • The popular traditional art practiced in Zambia includes pottery, basketry, stools, fabrics, mats, wooden carvings, ivory carvings, wire crafts, and copper crafts. 
    • An example of traditional Zambian basketry is the Tonga Basket, a basket woven from ilala palm by Tonga women.
  • Music and Dance
    • Traditional Zambian music relies on percussion, accompanied by singing and dancing.
    • Foreign genres, like the Congolese rumba, are known in the urban areas of Zambia.
    • Zamrock is a genre that originated in Zambia and became popular in the West in the 1970s.
  • Sports
    • Zambia’s independence was declared during the closing ceremony of the 1964 Summer Olympics.
    • Zambia was the first country to start the Olympics as one country and close it as another.
    • Football is the most popular sport in Zambia.
  • Cuisine
    • Nshima is a staple food prevalent in Zambian cuisine and is made by pounding white maize or corn.
    • Zambian cuisine includes stew, vegetables, beer, dried fish, and insects.

LANDMARKS

  • The Kalambo Falls is a single-plunge waterfall located in Northern Zambia. It is 221 to 335 meters high.
  • Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world, with a width of 1,708 meters and a height of 108 meters, located in the southern province of Zambia.
  • The Kagem Emerald Mines is where the top-quality emerald is mined, located in Copperbelt Province.
  • The Chirundu Fossil Forest consists of fossilized trees from the Jurassic age found in this part of Zambia’s southern province.
  • The Kabwe Big Tree is a giant Ficus tree rooted at the center of Kabwe, Central Province of Zambia. Traditionally, it was a meeting place.

Zambia Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Zambia across 23 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Zambia, a landlocked country located in the region of Southern-Central Africa. Other geographers consider it a part of East Africa as well.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Zambia Facts
  2. Vocabulary Review
  3. Basic Notes
  4. Fact or Bluff
  5. Arranging Events
  6. Zambia Post-Independence
  7. Southern Similarities
  8. Fact Map
  9. Postcard from Zambia
  10. Photo Gallery
  11. Zambia Wrap-up

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zambia?

Zambia is a landlocked country located in southern Africa. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, and gorillas, as well as its many national parks and protected areas.

What is the capital of Zambia?

The capital of Zambia is Lusaka.

What is the official language of Zambia?

The official language of Zambia is English.

What is the currency used in Zambia?

The currency used in Zambia is the Zambian Kwacha.

What activities can you do in Zambia?

Zambia offers a wide range of activities such as safari tours, wildlife viewing, and bird watching in its national parks and protected areas. Visitors can also explore Zambia’s rich culture and history, visit traditional villages, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and white-water rafting. Additionally, Zambia is famous for its Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Link will appear as Zambia Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 9, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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