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Geography of Zambia

Related subjects: African Geography

Background Information

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Geography of Zambia
Zambia
Continent Africa
Region Southern Africa
Coordinates 15°S 30°E Coordinates: 15°S 30°E
Area Ranked 39th
752,618 km2
Coastline 0 km (landlocked)
Borders 5,684 km
(Angola 1110 km, DROC 1930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km)
Highest point Mafinga Hills
2,301 m
Lowest point Zambezi River, 329 m
Longest river Zambezi River
2,650 km

Zambia is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, to the east of Angola. It has a total area of 752 618 square kilometres (slightly larger than Texas), of which 9 220 km² are water.

Political geography

Zambia has a total of 5 664 km of land boundaries, and it borders: Angola for 1 110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo for 1 930 km, Malawi for 837 km, Mozambique for 419 km, Namibia for 233 km, Tanzania for 338 km, Zimbabwe for 797 km, and Botswana for 0 km.

Physical geography

Climate

Zambia has a tropical climate, modified by the altitude of the country. There is a rainy season that runs from October/November to March/April and September.

Terrain

Topographic map of Zambia
Satellite image of Zambia

The terrain of Zambia is mostly high plateau, with some hills and mountains. The lowest point is the Zambezi river, at 329 meters above sea level, with the highest being an unnamed point in the Mafinga Hills, at 2 301 meters above sea level.

Ecoregions

Nine ecoregions in four biomes are represented in Zambia, the most widespread being Miombo, Mopane and Baikiaea woodland savanna, with grasslands (mainly flooded grassland) and evergreen forest also present.

Land use

The following table describes the land use in Zambia, as of 2005.

Land use
Use Percentage of Area
arable land 6.99
permanent crops 0.04
other 92.97

As of 2005, 1560 km² of land in Zambia is irrigated.

Environment

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

Zambia is party to the following international agreements: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection and Wetlands. Zambia has signed, but not ratified, the Kyoto Protocol

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