Zambia Geography

Location: Southern Africa, east of Angola

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total: 752,614 sq km land: 740,724 sq km water: 11,890 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly larger than Texas

Land boundaries: total: 5,664 km 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

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)

Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 7.08% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 92.9% (2001)

Irrigated land: 460 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April)

Environment - current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe



Links: Zambia Travel Blogs (all) | Zambia Travel Photos | Zambia Travel Forum | Zambia Facts | Map of Zambia

Areas in Zambia: Chimfunshi | Chipata | Copperbelt | Eastern Province | Kabwe | Kapiri Mposhi | Kitwe | Lake Kariba | Livingstone | Lusaka | Mongu | South Luangwa | Southern Province {#[blogfeed]#}{#[photos]#}