GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Position
Zambia is a land locked country surrounded by other countries along its extensive frontier. It shares borders with Zaire to the North, the United Republic of Tanzania to the North east, Malawi to the East, Mozambique to the South east, Zimbabwe to the South, Botswana and Namibia to the South west and Angola to the West.
The country is located on a high plateau in Central Africa between latitudes 8 and 18 degrees South of the Equator and between longitudes 22 and 36 degrees East.
Topography
Zambia's land surface area is 752,620 square kilometres made up of three main topographic parts: mountainous range, high plateau and low valley areas.
Zambia and Zimbabwe share a man made lake at Kariba built to generate hydro electric power. On the border with Zaire to the North, lies a long mineral rich stretch, especially copper, cobalt and emeralds, known as the Copperbelt.
Vegetation
The country's vegetation is mainly Savannah, with areas of tropical grassland and woodland
comprising a variety of grass and tree species.
Several seasonal flood areas also exist in flat swampy and marshy plains such as the Kafue
flats and the Bangweulu and Lukanga Swamps.
Climate
Due to its relatively high altitude, Zambia's climate is seldom unpleasantly hot. There are three distinct seasons:
- a) a cool and dry season from May to August when temperatures vary from around 14 to 26 degrees Celsius during the day a and from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius at night;
- b) a hot and dry season from September to November; and
- c) a warm and wet season from December to April.
This information is provided by the Export board of Zambia, © EBZ, 1995, 96
Email address: ebzint@zamnet.zm