Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/zambia.bkg

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#CARD:Zambia:Background Notes
BACKGROUND NOTES:  ZAMBIA
PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

SEPTEMBER 1992
Official Name:   Republic of Zambia

PROFILE

Geography
Area:  752,614 sq. km. (290,585 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Texas.
Cities:   Capital--Lusaka (pop. 982,000).  Other cities--Kitwe
(348,000), Ndola (376,000), Livingstone (84,000), Kabwe (167,000).
Terrain:  Varies; mostly plateau savanna.  Climate:  Generally dry and
temperate.

People
Nationality:  Noun and adjective--Zambian(s).  Population (1991):  8
million.  Annual growth rate:  3%.  Ethnic groups:  More than 70 tribal
groups. Religions: Christian, indigenous beliefs.  Languages:  English
(official), about 70 local languages and dialects, including Bemba,
Tonga, Nyanja, Lozi, Luvale, Ndembu (Lundu), and Kaonde.  Education:
Years compulsory--7.  Attendance--less than 50% in grades 1-7.  Less
than 20% of primary school graduates are admitted to secondary school.
Literacy--54%.  Health:  Infant mortality rate--87/1,000.  Life
expectancy--51 yrs.  Work force:  Agriculture--60%. Industry and
commerce--40%.

Government
Type:  Republic.  Independence:  October 24, 1964.  Constitution:  1991.


Branches:  Executive--president (chief of state), cabinet.
Legislative--unicameral National Assembly.  Judicial--Supreme Court,
high court, magisterial court, and local courts.

Ruling political party:  Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
Suffrage: Universal adult.

Subdivisions:  Nine provinces subdivided into districts.

Flag:  Green field with small vertical stripes (red, black, orange) in
lower right corner and orange eagle above stripes.

Economy
GDP (1991):  $4.2 billion.  Annual growth rate:  1%.  Per capita GDP:
$380.

Natural resources:  Copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold,
silver, uranium, hydroelectric power, fertile land.

Agriculture:  Products--corn, tobacco, cotton, soybeans, groundnuts,
sugar cane, livestock, and horticultural products.

Industry:  Types--mining, transport, construction, foodstuffs,
beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizers.

Trade (1990):  Exports--$1.3 billion: copper, cobalt, lead, and zinc.
Major markets--Japan, Italy, France, China.  Imports--$1.1 billion:
crude oil, manufactured goods, machinery, transport equipment,
foodstuffs.  Major suppliers--South Africa, UK, Japan, US, Germany.

Official exchange rate (June 1992):  140 kwacha=US$1.

Bilateral economic aid:  Major donors--US, UK, Netherlands, EC, Japan,
Germany, Nordic countries.  In early 1992, Zambia's economic reform
program qualified for new assistance from the World Bank and is being
monitored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  Other donors
include 17 UN organizations and at least 25 multilateral and
non-governmental organizations.  n


PEOPLE
Zambia's population comprises more than 70 Bantu-speaking tribes.  Some
tribes are small, and only two have enough people to constitute at least
10% of the population.  Most Zambians are subsistence farmers.  The
predominant religion is a blend of traditional beliefs and Christianity.


Expatriates, mostly British (15,000 in 1986) or South African, live
mainly in Lusaka and in the copperbelt in northern Zambia, where they
are employed in mines and related activities.  Zambia also has a small
but economically important Asian population, most of whom are Indians.
The country is 42% urban.

HISTORY
The indigenous hunter-gatherer occupants of Zambia began to be displaced
or absorbed by more advanced migrating tribes about 2,000 years ago.
The major waves of Bantu-speaking immigrants began in the 15th century,
with the greatest influx between the late 17th and early 19th centuries.
 They came primarily from the Luba and Lunda tribes of southern Zaire
and northern Angola but were joined in the 19th century by Ngoni peoples
from the south.  By the latter part of that century, the various peoples
of Zambia were largely established in the areas they currently occupy.

Except for an occasional Portuguese explorer, the area lay untouched by
Europeans for centuries.  After the mid-19th century, it was penetrated
by Western explorers, missionaries, and traders. David Livingstone first
saw Victoria Falls in 1855.

In 1888, Cecil Rhodes, spearheading British commercial and political
interests in central Africa, obtained a mineral rights concession from
local chiefs.  In the same year, Northern and Southern Rhodesia (now
Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively) were proclaimed a British sphere of
influence. Southern Rhodesia was annexed formally and granted
self-government in 1923, and the administration of Northern Rhodesia was
transferred to the British Colonial Office in 1924 as a protectorate.

In 1953, both Rhodesias were joined with Nyasaland (now Malawi) to form
the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.  Northern Rhodesia was the
center of much of the turmoil and crisis that characterized the
federation in its last years.  At the core of the controversy were
insistent African demands for greater participation in government and
European fears of losing political control.

A two-stage election held in October and December 1962 resulted in an
African majority in the Legislative Council and an uneasy coalition
between the two African nationalist parties.  The council passed
resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia's secession from the
federation and demanding full internal self-government under a new
constitution and a new national assembly based on a broader, more
democratic franchise. On December 31, 1963, the federation was
dissolved, and Northern Rhodesia became the Republic of Zambia on
October 24, 1964.

At independence, despite its considerable mineral wealth, Zambia faced
major challenges.  Domestically, there were few trained and educated
Zambians capable of running the government, and the economy was largely
dependent on foreign expertise.  Abroad, three of its
neighbors--Southern Rhodesia and the Portuguese colonies of Mozambique
and Angola--remained under white-dominated rule.  Rhodesia's white-ruled
government unilaterally declared independence in 1965.  In addition,
Zambia shared a border with South African-controlled South-West Africa
(now Namibia).  Zambia's sympathies lay with forces opposing colonial or
white-dominated rule, particularly in Southern Rhodesia.  During the
next decade, it actively supported movements such as the Union for the
Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA), the Zimbabwe African People's Union
(ZAPU), the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC), and the
South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO).

Conflicts with Rhodesia resulted in the closing of Zambia's borders with
that country and severe problems with international transport and power
sup-ply.  However, the Kariba hydroelectric station on the Zambezi River
provided sufficient capacity to satisfy the country's requirements for
electricity.  A railroad to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, built
with Chinese assistance, reduced Zambian dependence on railroad lines
south to South Africa and west through an increasingly troubled Angola.

By the late 1970s, Mozambique and Angola had attained independence from
Portugal, while Zimbabwe had achieved independence in accordance with
the 1979 Lancaster House agreement.  Zambia's problems did not abate,
however.  Civil war in the former Portuguese colonies generated refugees
and caused continuing transportation problems.  The Benguela Railroad,
which extended west through Angola, was essentially closed to traffic
from Zambia by the late 1970s. Zambia's strong support for the ANC,
which had its external headquarters in Lusaka, created security problems
as South Africa raided ANC targets in Zambia.

In the mid-1970s, the price of copper--Zambia's principal
export--suffered a severe decline worldwide. Zambia turned to foreign
and international lenders for relief; but as copper prices remained
depressed, it became increasingly difficult to service its growing debt.
 By the late 1980s, Zambia had the highest percentage of gross domestic
product (GDP) consumed by foreign debts in Africa.

GOVERNMENT
Zambia was the first British territory to become a republic immediately
upon attaining independence.  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 Kaunda signed legislation
ending UNIP's monopoly on power.  In response to growing popular demand
for multi-party democracy, and after lengthy, difficult negotiations
between the Kaunda Government and opposition groups, Zambia enacted a
new constitution in August 1991.  The constitution 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.  Moreover, candidates no longer had to be members of UNIP.
Under the present constitution, the president is elected directly by
universal suffrage and may serve a maximum of two 5-year terms.  The
National Assembly is comprised of 150 directly elected members, up to 8
presidentially appointed members, and a speaker.  Zambia is divided into
nine provinces, each administered by an appointed governor.  Multiparty
elections for president and parliament were held in October 1991.

The Supreme Court is the highest court and the court of appeal; below it
are high court, magistrate's court, and local courts.

Principal Government Officials
President--Frederick Chiluba
Vice President--Levy Mwanawasa
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Vernon Mwaanga
Ambassador to the United States--Dunstan Kamana
Ambassador to the United Nations--Otema Musaka


Zambia maintains an embassy in the United States at 2419 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. [phone]).

POLITICAL CONDITIONS
The major figure in Zambian politics from 1964 to 1991 was Kenneth
Kaunda, who led the fight for independence and traditionally bridged the
rivalries among the country's various regions and ethnic groups.  Kaunda
tried to base government on his philosophy of "humanism," which condemns
human exploitation and stresses cooperation among people but not at the
expense of the individual.

Kaunda's political party--the United National Independence Party
(UNIP)--was founded in 1959 and was in power under Kaunda's direction
since the country gained independence in 1964.  Before 1972, Zambia had
three significant political parties--UNIP, the ANC, and the United
Progressive Party (UPP).  The ANC drew its strength from western and
southern provinces, while the UPP found some support among
Bemba-speakers in the copperbelt and northern provinces.  Although not
strongly supported in all areas of the country, only UNIP had a
nationwide following.

In February 1972, Zambia became a one-party state, and all other
political parties were banned.  Kaunda, the sole candidate, was elected
President in the 1973 elections.  Elections also were held for the
National Assembly.  Only UNIP members were permitted to run, but these
seats were sharply contested.  President Kaunda's mandate was renewed in
December 1978 and October 1983 in a "yes" or "no" vote on his candidacy.
In the 1983 election, more than 60% of those registered participated and
gave President Kaunda a 93% "yes" vote.

Growing opposition to UNIP's monopoly on power led to the rise in 1990
of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).  The MMD assembled an
increasingly impressive group of important Zambians, including prominent
UNIP defectors and labor leaders.  During the year, President Kaunda
agreed to a referendum on the one-party state and, in the face of
continued opposition, dropped the referendum and signed a constitutional
amendment making Zambia a multiparty state.  Zambia's first multiparty
elections for parliament and the presidency since the early 1970s were
held on October 31, 1991.  Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD)
candidate Frederick Chiluba resoundingly carried the presidential
election over Kenneth Kaunda by winning 81% of the vote.  To add to the
MMD landslide, in the parliamentary elections the MMD won 125 of the 150
elected seats and UNIP the remaining 25.  However, UNIP swept the
Eastern Province, gathering 19 of its seats there.

ECONOMY
The Zambian economy is based primarily on its state-controlled copper
industry.  Traditionally, the copper industry has accounted for a
significant portion of the GDP, from one-third to one-half of government
revenues, and more than 90% of Zambia's foreign-exchange earnings.  Due
to a sharp decline in world copper prices in 1975, prolonged drought,
internal management problems, and limited expertise, Zambia's economy
has severely declined for more than a decade, with reduced imports,
rising unemployment, and growing foreign debt.  Copper production has
fallen to less than 500,000 metric tons per year from a 1976 high of
720,000 metric tons.  Unless the copper company can make massive
improvements in its facilities, production will continue to decline.

In late 1982, the government restricted public spending, reduced
government subsidies, raised farm-producer incentives, and devalued the
currency, first by fiat and then by introducing a foreign-exchange
auction system in 1985.

In February 1986, Zambia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
agreed on a new 2-year standby program designed to restore financial
discipline, restructure external debt, and promote non-mineral exports.
In December 1986, in response to sharp rises in the price of staples and
food shortages, rioting erupted in the copper-producing region, and at
least 15 people were killed.  The government, convinced that economic
reform policies were responsible, abandoned the IMF program in May 1987,
citing unacceptably high social, economic, and political costs.  At the
same time, the government emphasized that it had not abandoned its
efforts to restructure Zambia's economy; rather, it would pursue
restructuring on its own terms and with its own plan.

By early 1989, in consultations with the IMF and the World Bank, Zambia
developed a new economic reform plan.  Despite food riots in Lusaka in

June 1990, the government adhered to its plan and earned the support of
Western donors.  In early 1991, Zambia qualified for new World Bank
assistance for the first time since 1987.  Progress on economic
restructuring stalled by mid-year when President Kaunda failed to follow
through on earlier commitments to the World Bank.  In mid-September,
following Zambia's failure to meet a third arrears payment in as many
months, the World Bank formally suspended all lending activity.  Several
Western donors followed suit by suspending their aid programs.
Immediately upon his election, President Chiluba began to implement
critical economic reforms and reopened negotiations for the resumption
of World Bank and IMF programs.  As of January 1992, the World Bank
again began to provide assistance under the Economic Recovery Credit.
However, the country's foreign debt remained in excess of $7 billion.

Although Zambia's reform plan includes privatization of most
government-owned enterprises, there still is substantial government
participation in many sectors through a system of state-owned or
state-controlled (parastatal) companies under one state-owned holding
company:  ZIMCO (Zambia Industrial and Mining Corporation Ltd.).  More
than 100 companies in the ZIMCO group contribute more than 50% of
Zambia's GDP and 30% of  total national wage employment.

The most important component of ZIMCO is Zambia Consolidated Copper
Mines (ZCCM), which is 60% state-owned.  ZIMCO also includes most energy
industries, the transportation industry, major hotels, wholesale and
retail distributors, insurance, a commercial bank, the fertilizer plant,
breweries, saw mills, plantations, automobile assembly plants, glass
works, and other industries.  The government recognizes that the
inefficiencies and high costs of public-sector domination contribute to
the country's economic decline and has announced its intention to
privatize 80% of state-owned enterprises.

Despite the dominant role of parastatals, the private sector plays a
vital role in the Zambian economy.  Private firms are particularly
active in the construction and highway transportation industries,
banking, and commercial agriculture.  Government has moved toward a more
market-oriented development approach; private-sector investment, both
domestic and foreign, is being encouraged, particularly in agriculture
and agribusiness through new investment legislation and other
incentives.

Agriculture is the main livelihood of half of Zambia's population.
Maize (corn) is the principal cash crop as well as the staple food.
Other important crops include groundnuts,  soybeans, cotton, sugar,
sunflower seeds, wheat, sorghum, millet, cassava, and tobacco. Zambia
has potential for significant increases in agricultural production; only
about 20% of an estimated 60 million hectares of arable land is
cultivated.  In the past, the agricultural sector has suffered from low
producer prices, difficulties in the availability and distribution of
credit and inputs, and the shortage of foreign exchange.

Zambia is one of the most urbanized and industrialized countries in
Sub-Saharan Africa. Manufacturing, heavily import dependent, primarily
produces for the domestic consumer market.  Despite some recent
improvement, most plants operate at about 50% of capacity, and output
remains below that of 10 years ago.

As a landlocked country, Zambia depends on external transportation
routes, specifically road and rail routes through Zimbabwe and Botswana
to ports in South Africa and through Tanzania to the Indian Ocean port
of Dar es Salaam.  In recent years, the southern route has increasingly
carried Zambian imports, and exports through Dar es Salaam have
increased.  In 1984, the southern route carried about 64% of Zambia's
imports and 20% of its exports, while Dar es Salaam handled 66% of
exports and 32% of imports.  Since late 1986, Zambia rerouted remaining
copper exports transiting South Africa to both Dar es Salaam and Beira,
Mozambique.  In 1987, Zambia announced that it had stopped exporting
copper via the southern route and South Africa.

During 1990, reacting to positive political developments in South
Africa, Zambia relaxed its restrictions on using South African ports.  A
new transportation route opened through Namibia to Walvis Bay, which is
of growing importance as a port for Zambia's imports and exports.
Zambia is participating under the aegis of the Southern African
Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) in efforts to restructure,
rehabilitate, and improve the transport infrastructure of southern and
eastern Africa so as to reduce the region's economic dependence on and
vulnerability to events in South Africa.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Zambia is a member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the
front-line states, Southern African Development Coordination Conference
(SADCC), and the Preferential Trade Area (PTA).  Zambia traditionally
has been active in promoting peaceful change in the southern African
region.  Its major foreign policy goals have included an end to the
civil war in Angola and majority rule in South Africa.  President Kaunda
was a persistent advocate of peaceful change in South Africa, meeting
with the South African president and foreign minister, ANC leaders
Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, and Inkatha leader Buthelezi.  He also
cooperated in US efforts to promote peaceful solutions to regional
problems.  Since his election, President Chiluba has established trade
links with South Africa and recognized Israel.

Zambia is a leading member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).  The
country has received development assistance from a number of Western and
neutral countries, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.
China also has been a prominent donor, particularly in the
transportation sector, and North Korea has undertaken some agricultural
projects.

DEFENSE
The Zambian Defense Force (ZDF) consists of the army, the air force, and
Zambian National Service (ZNS).  The ZNS, while operating under the
Ministry of Defense, is responsible primarily for public works projects.
 The ZDF is designed primarily for internal defense.

US-ZAMBIAN RELATIONS
Bilateral relations between Zambia and the United States were strained
during the last year of the Kaunda-led government but have improved
dramatically with the establishment of multiparty democracy and the
election of President Chiluba.  Zambia and the United States share
common political and legal traditions and agree on the most pressing
southern African regional goals:  successful implementation--including
free and fair elections--of the Angola Peace Accord, a cease-fire in
Mozambique, and ending apartheid in South Africa.

The United States has a substantial foreign assistance program in Zambia
and has strongly supported its economic reform program.  In addition to
support for development projects--primarily in the agricultural
sector--the United States has provided food aid and participated in
international efforts to rehabilitate the Tazara Railroad line, Zambia's
principal land route to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam.  US efforts
to assist Zambia in drought relief can add an increasingly important
positive element to bilateral relations.  President Chiluba made a
private visit to Washington, DC, in February 1992, and Vice President
Bush visited Zambia in 1982.

Principal US Officials
Ambassador--Gordon Streeb
Deputy Chief of Mission--Michael Arietti
Political Officer--Don Gatto
Economic/Commercial Officer--Necia Quast
Public Affairs Officer--Steadman Howard
AID Mission Director--Fred Winch
Consular Officer--William Fitzgerald


The US embassy in Zambia is at the corner of Independence and United
Nations Avenues (PO Box 31617), Lusaka (tel. 228595).  (###)

TRAVEL NOTES:
Climate and clothing:  Summer clothing is worn mid-August to mid-May.
Light woolens are useful in winter (mid-May to mid-August).

Customs and currency:  Travelers from the US must obtain entry visas
from the Zambian embassy in Washington, DC, or from the Zambian mission
to the UN in New York.  A valid passport and record of inoculation for
cholera are required.

Travelers may be asked to declare the currencies they hold at the time
of entry.  Restrictions have been placed on the export of Zambian
kwacha.

Health:   Standards in Lusaka and other urban areas are fair.  Water
from the municipal system is considered potable, but boiling is advised.
 Malaria is endemic throughout the country, including large urban areas,
and malaria suppressants are essential.  Infections will result from
bathing in streams, lakes, and ponds. Although not required, vaccination
against typhoid fever is recommended; vaccination against yellow fever
is required.

Telecommunications:   Direct-dialing within Zambia is limited.
International communications by telephone and telegraph are adequate but
expensive.  Direct international dialing is available to Europe and
North America. Lusaka is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich mean time or 7 hours
ahead of eastern standard time.

Transportation:   Airlines connect Lusaka with London, Paris, Rome,
Bombay, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and other cities in Africa.  Scheduled
domestic service by Zambian Airways provides direct connections to the
larger provincial towns. Zambia Railways provides passenger service
within the country and to Dar es Salaam, but service is slow.   Paved
roads lead from Lusaka to Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and
Zaire.  Driving is on the left.  Rental cars and an inter-city "luxury"
bus service are available.  The few urban taxis and buses are crowded,
and schedules are erratic.

Tourist attractions:   Victoria Falls is becoming the center of a modern
resort area with various accommodations. Kafue and Luangwa Valley
National Parks are among the largest in Africa.  Both parks are
abundantly stocked with native wildlife and offer full accommodations to
visitors. Several smaller parks near Lusaka offer 1-day trips. Regular
air service operates between Lusaka and resorts on Lake Tanganyika.
Several small parks near Lusaka offer 1-day trips.   (###)

Published by the United States Department of State -- Bureau of Public
Affairs -- Office  of Public Communication -- Washington, DC --
September 1992 -- Editor:  Jo Brooks

Department of State Publication 7841
Background Notes Series -- This material is in the public domain and may
be reprinted without permission; citation of this source is appreciated.
 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC  20402. (###)



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