ZAMBIA
GEOGRAPHY
Few may have heard of this land but it’s the destination for a vacation. It is a country rich in many ways such as culture values climate natural beauty and above all warm hearted people. This Republic nation is in central Africa bordered in north by Zaire or Congo, as well as Tanzania, Malawi to its east, southeast lies Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia are southerly and Angola is on its west.
Zambia consists of a number of plateaux separated by river valleys. In the north east the Muchinga Range towers over the country lying between the rivers Zambezi and Luangwa.
The Kariba Dam has formed a large lake on the Zambezi. South of the dam is one of the wonders of the world the ‘Smoke that thunders’ as the natives call the famous Victoria Falls on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border where the water descends 109 meters raising a cloud of fine water mist.
Cotton and tobacco are the chief cash crops. What the country lacks in fertility of the soil is compensated for by enormous mineral wealth. Near the border with Zaire lies a huge copper belt; other metals like lead cobalt, zinc Gold, silver, vanadium, antimony, uranium, and manganese, are also mined. Railway lines link the mining districts with ports in the neighboring countries. Passengers and freight services are established on the Zambezi. The roads are relatively well developed. Lusaka is served by international flights and airplane services are also provided for the outlying districts of the country.
Major cities include Kitwe, Ndola, Lusaka, Livingstone, The Copperbelt, etc.
The highest elevation is Muchinga.
Chief rivers are Zambezi, Kafue, and Luangwa.
The largest lakes are Bangeolu, Mweru, and Tanganyika.
THE CAPITAL
The capital Lusaka is at 4167ft in south central region of the country. The weather here is very unkind between October and March with scorching heat. The markets throb with activity and business deals. Every night comes alive to the sound of rhumba, techno and kwela music in the night clubs. Its international airport is full of hustle and bustle all the 24 hours.
THE CLIMATE
The climate is equatorial, moderated by altitude with heavy summer rains. In the arid season of April-August the vegetation is all green and nights are pleasant. Tourist visit the land from September till November which is a hot season but the right time to view wildlife as vegetation thins out. The monsoon is from November to April and the birds visit the region in abundance.
POPULATION
The country is very sparsely populated. A major chunk of the population is resident of Copperbelt a destination north to the capital city. Lusaka is thickly populated.
The people are Bantu, Europeans, and Asians. There are almost 70 ethnic groups migratory but now specific to the land.
Officially the language in use is English.
Religion followed is animist, Christian,
HISTORY
Khoisan the hunters were the first recorded natives inhabited Zambia till they were displaced by Bantu belonging to Congo 2000 years ago. The entry of migrants intensified from 14th century onwards and a couple of centuries later many power groups on line of descends and tribes cropped up claming areas and separate rulers. The Portuguese explorer David Livingstone came to this region in 1850 and is responsible for the nomenclature Victoria Fall when he saw this gigantic water fall. By 1890 the region of present day Zambia was called Northern Rhodesia and under British origin company operating in South Africa. It was 1924 when British ultimately brought it under its domain. The North Rhodesia became free from British rule in 1964; then followed an era of instability of 1970s and 1980s in internal politics making it very improvised. It is from 1990s that stability returned to the nation and economic scene changed for the better.
TOURISM
The Zambezi River and the famous Victoria Falls is the territory of two countries Zambia and its neighbor Zimbabwe.
The country is bestowed with thriving unexplored wealth of nature in the form of vegetation, wildlife and bird species. The tourists are taken in safari to the interiors; the journey may lack in some comforts but the purity of nature makes up for the lack of resources. The popular destinations are the South and North National Park at Luangwa, Kafue, and lower Zambezi etc. The safaris in different combinations of adjoining sites and are classified to suit each budget. Many enjoy the thrill of elephant back safari yelling and screaming.
There are regular safari trips to World Wonder Victoria Falls. The water façade as it falls is almost a precarious 1.6km wide and 100m drop of Zambezi River. Its whole width makes a splendid display between February and April. Small crafts give joy ride over the falls.
Canoe safari on river Zambezi takes the route either above the Victoria Falls or is limited to National Park of lower Zambezi. The options with canoeing are either strolling in the nature trailer wildlife exploration. Night camping facilities are with basic amenities. Armed escorts accompany walking safari groups. Other water sports in and around the place are white water rafting, river boarding, Bungi Jumping, and abseiling and gorge swimming, kayaking, house-boating and fishing.
Luangwa River offers an impassioned and engaging experience in its north and south vicinity. It is here that the largest wildlife sanctuary with congregation of 60 species of animals and 400 varieties of birds can be vied in its natural setting. Limited number of operators is permitted in the northern area which is hostile and dangerous. The accommodation here is camping gear.
Not all visitors are water birds for them there are other choices in the form of Chirundu Fossil Forest; it has trees dating back to 50,000 years; The place in between Lusaka and Chirundu. Then there is Collier monument a place of Luanshya where there is copper mine. An Iron Age site exists at Kasamba Stream Grinding Grooves near Lake Bangweulu. Another such ancient site is Nachikufu Cave at Moika with preserved caved paintings of Stone Age almost 18,000 years ago. The Nsefu Cave decorated with paintings is near Kanona is open to public also belongs to Stone Age.
ACCOMMODATION
The flourishing tourism industry has provided the right incentive to open up many categories of accommodations for the tourists. The name begins with the very best safari camps, and lodges in the wilderness.
In towns and cities there are reputed hotel chains and 5 star accommodations available to those who can afford it. There are the pioneering lodgings and camp sites of very good standards; then there are motels, guesthouses, apartments, and bed and breakfast locations and self catering rooms. Make a choice and do the booking.
FOOD
The local traditional food gives ample choice to vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. Most people consume healthy Nashima made from maize and served with vegetables fish or meat. The people enjoy brewed drinks namely Chibuku, beers, Rhino, or Mosi. Other dishes moderately popular with visitors is ifisashi, ifinkubala, and impwa.
SHOPPING
Tourists pick the handicraft items specific to the place like carving items or baskets as gifts. The gems being sold are not of very good quality.
A trip to this nation you will never regret; Apart from renowned Victoria Falls the water bodies of similar classifications total up to 17 along with big lakes like Kariba. The surrounding land and the water throb with life in all its hues. Its beauty is to be seen as no words are sufficient to describe them. The nature exists without destructive influence of man; something so rare on earth.
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