Facts about Zambia
There’s no better way to truly experience Zambia than traversing its vast landscapes at your own pace, with your own itinerary. You have an unlimited option of organized tours, and self-drive safaris, but you can also use Zambia’s vast network of public transport to get around.
Enjoy the combination of both when booking a houseboat or river adventure or experience an unrivalled view of Victoria Falls by air. Whatever your chosen mode of transport, you’re bound to enjoy the ride when exploring beautiful Zambia.
NATIONAL LANGUAGE
English
TIME ZONE
UTC+2 (CAT)
DIALING CODE
+260
AREA
752 618 km2
POPULATION
15, 510 711
DOMINANT RELIGION
Christian
NATIONAL BIRD
The Fish Eagle
NATIONAL FLOWER
Bougainvillea Nyctaginaceae
NATIONAL GAME
Football
MOTTO
One Zambia, One Nation
THE FLAG
The flag of Zambia was hoisted for the first time at midnight on the 23rd October 1964, symbolising patriotism and the nation’s natural resources. An eagle in flight over three stripes of red black and orange on a green background.
Red represents the struggle for freedom, black, the people of Zambia, orange the country’s mineral wealth and green the wildlife and environment. The eagle in flight symbolizes the freedom in Zambia and the ability to rise above national problems.
COAT OF ARMS
The coat of arms of Zambia is composed of an African Fish Eagle (the eagle of liberty) hovering above a pickaxe and hoe (representative of the country’s economic backbone).
Making up the base are a Zambian man and woman supporting a shield depicting the Victoria Falls.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Stand and sing of Zambia proud and free, Land of works and joy in unity, Victors in the struggle for the right, We have won freedom’s fight, All one, strong and free.
Africa is our own motherland, fashioned with and blessed by God’s good hand, Let us all her people join as one, Brothers under the sun, All one, strong and free.
One land and one nation is our cry, Dignity and peace ‘neath the Zambian sky, like our noble eagle in its flight, Zambia, praise to thee, All one, strong and free.
Praise to God, Bless our great nation, Free men we stand, Under the flag of our land, Zambia praise to thee, All one strong and free.
MEMBERSHIP
INTERNATIONAL: Commonwealth, GATT, ILO, IMF, NAM, UN, WB, WHO
REGIONAL: African Development Bank, Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), OAU, Southern African Development Community (SADC).
USEFUL WORDS
ENGLISH – “Hello”
BEMBA – “Shani”
NYANJA – “Bwanji”
ENGLISH – “Goodbye”
BEMBA – “Shalapo Pitani”
NYANJA – “Pitani bwino”
ENGLISH – “How are you?”
BEMBA – “Uli Shani?”
NYANJA – “Ndili Bwino”
ENGLISH – “Thank you?”
BEMBA – “Natotela”
NYANJA – “Dzikomo”
ENGLISH – “very much”
BEMBA – “sana”
NYANJA – “kwambili”
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1st January – New Year’s Day
12th March – Youth Day
6th April – Good Friday
7th April – Holy Saturday
2nd Monday in April – Easter Monday
1st May – Labour Day
25th May Africa – Freedom Day
1st Monday of July – Hero’s Day
1st Tuesday of July – Unity Day
1st Monday of August – Farmer’s Day
24th October – Independence Day
25th December – Christmas Day
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