Zambia: Facts about

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Facts about Republic of Zambia

LAND
Area: 752,614 sq./km. (290,586 sq./mi. ).
Capital and largest city: Lusaka (1990 pop., 982,362).
Elevations: highest--2,164 m (7,100 ft), in the Malinga Hills; lowest--366 m (1,200 ft), at the Zambezi River.

PEOPLE

Population (1996 est.): 9,200,000; density: 12.2 persons per sq./km. (31.7 per sq./mi. ).
Distribution (1996): 42% urban, 58% rural.
Annual growth (1992): 3.5%.
Official language: English.
Major religions: traditional religions, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism.

EDUCATION AND HEALTH

Literacy (1991): 81% of adult population.
Universities (1993): 2.
Hospital beds (1990): 27,600.
Physicians (1990): 880.
Life expectancy (1996): women--50; men--48.
Infant mortality (1996): 107 per 1,000 live births.

ECONOMY

GNP (1994): $7.9 billion; $860 per capita.
Labor distribution (1990): agriculture--85%; mining, manufacturing, and construction--6%; transport and services--9%.
Foreign trade (1993): imports--$1.13 billion; exports--$1.01 billion; principal trade partners--Japan, France, South Africa, United States, Germany, United Kingdom.
Currency: 1 kwacha = 100 ngwee.

GOVERNMENT

Type: republic.
Government leader (1997): Frederick Chiluba--president.
Legislature: National Assembly.
Political subdivisions: 9 provinces.

COMMUNICATIONS

Railroads (1993): 1,273 km (791 mi) total.
Roads (1992): 37,359 km (23,214 mi) total.
Major ports: none.
Major airfields: 1.

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