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Zambia
Capital City....................................Lusaka 
Population..............................11.6 million
Former Colonial Power...................Britain
Leader...........................Levy Mwanawasa
Links: Where is Zambia? - Sport in Zambia - Health in Zambia - Education in Zambia - Alive & Kicking Zambia
History
Zambia is a country in sub-Saharan Africa, the country's name comes from it's main river - the Zambezi - which begins in the country, creates the Victoria Falls on the border with Zimbabwe (see left), and flows out to the Indian Ocean through Tanzania. The first settlers were the Tonga or Bantu people. They immigrated from the North of Africa in the twelfth century.
British Rule
Zambia became part of the British Empire in 1889. Under British rule it was called Northern Rhodesia and Zimbabwe was Southern Rhodesia. During the First World War Britain got some 20,000 Zambians to fight for the British forces in East Africa. Tragically, most died from disease or were killed in battle. The Republic of Zambia won independence from Britain on the 24th October 1964.
Independence
Since Zambia won its independence, there have only been three presidents. In the same time, between 1964 and 2002, Britain has had 7 Prime Ministers. (How many can you name? Click here for answers.)
Kenneth Kaunda was President from 1964-1991.
• During his time in charge, Zambia took a stand against minority white rule in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia - a position that cost them a lot of money from trade.
• Zambia became a one party state in 1972 and remained as one until 1990.
• In 1990, a collapsing economy together with people getting angry about the one party state led to serious food riots and an attempted military coup. Kaunda was forced to change back to a multi party system.
Frederick Chiluba was president from 1991-2002
• In 1996 Chiluba effectively barred Kaunda from Zambian politics.
• Unhappiness with his leadership grew and in 1997 there was an attempted coup.
• Zambians were promised higher standards of living but in 2001 Zambia applied for aid to feed 2 million starving people after poor harvests caused by floods and droughts.
• At the end of 2001 Mr. Mwanawasa took over amid claims of fraud and is still president.
• Since leaving office, Chiluba has been arrested and charged with corruption.
• In 2007 the British High Court ruled that President Chiluba and 4 aides conspired to rob Zambia of $46 million.
The president of Zambia is now Levy Mwanwasa who used to be Chiluba's deputy. Mwanawasa came to power in 2002 and won a second term in 2006. Mwanawasa views Zambian poverty as the biggest challenge to the country and he even apologised for not tackling it properly in his first term. A politician who apologised, can you believe it?!
Financial Problems
Zambia's economy has always heavily relied on the copper industry. In the late 1960s, Zambia was the third largest copper mining country in the world but in 1975, the copper industry collapsed sending Zambia into an economic decline. To this day, Zambia has not recovered. 75.8% of Zambia's people live in poverty (UN 2006). Zambia's per capita income is US$ 943 compared to US$ 30,821 in the UK (UN 2006).
Interesting fact: Did you know that at the top of Victoria Falls is a natural water hole called Devil's Swimming Pool? The water here is so calm that you can sit right at the edge of the Falls without fear of falling off! Check out the photo!
