What is the terrain and geography like in Zambia?
Zambia is landlocked and has borders with Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The protruding southeastern area of the DRC nearly bisects Zambia into two major geographic areas. The 90 mile-long corridor in the region known as the Copperbelt contains some of the world’s largest proven copper deposits.
There are nine provinces: Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern and Western. The provinces are subdivided into a total of 72 districts.
Annual rainfall during the rainy season averages 34 inches. At the season’s beginning and end, showers are brief. During January, however, heavier rains punctuated by thunderstorms often occur.
Zambia’s vegetation is mostly savannah, with areas of tropical grassland and woodland. There are 19 national parks and 32 game management areas. The native fauna is classic big game found in Southern Africa (e.g., leopards and lions). Zambia has a great variety of birds, both resident and migrant, totaling more than 700 species.
Annual rainfall during the rainy season averages 34 inches. At the season’s beginning and end, showers are brief. During January, however, heavier rains punctuated by thunderstorms often occur.
Zambia’s vegetation is mostly savannah, with areas of tropical grassland and woodland. There are 19 national parks and 32 game management areas. The native fauna is classic big game found in Southern Africa (e.g., leopards and lions). Zambia has a great variety of birds, both resident and migrant, totaling more than 700 species.
Geographic Location | Africa |
Total Area |
290,586 Square Miles 752,618 Square Kilometers |
Land Area |
287,026 Square Miles 743,398 Square Kilometers |
Water Area |
3,560 Square Miles 9,220 Square Kilometers |
Land Boundaries |
3,519 Miles 5,664 Kilometers |
Irrigated Land |
602 Square Miles 1,559 Square Kilometers |
Border Countries | Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km |
Geographic Coordinates | 15 00 S, 30 00 E |
Terrain | mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains |
Highest Point | 2,301 Meters |
Highest Point Location | unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m |
Lowest Point | 329 Meters |
Lowest Point Location | Zambezi river 329 m |
Natural Resources | copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower |
Time Zone | UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) |