Zambia Geography:
Location:
Southern Africa, east of Angola
Geographic coordinates:
15 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references:
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 1110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1930 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 (not ratified)
Geography - Note:
Landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe |
