Region: Eastern Africa

Capital: Lusaka

Population: 10 462 436 (July 2004 est.)

Surface area: 752 618 square km

Currency: kwacha

GDP per capita: $800 (2003 est.)

Historic background:
The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964.

Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The new president of 2001 launched a far-reaching anti-corruption campaign in 2002, which resulted in the prosecution of former President Frederick CHILUBA and many of his supporters in late 2003. Opposition parties currently hold a majority of seats in the National Assembly.

Economy – overview:
Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's economic growth remains below the 5% to 7% necessary to reduce poverty significantly. The maize harvest doubled in 2003, helping boost GDP by 4.0%. Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs to reduce poverty, including a new lending arrangement with the IMF. A tighter monetary policy will help cut inflation, but Zambia still has a serious problem with fiscal discipline.

United Nations Membership date: 1 December 1964

New York Mission:
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations
237 East 52nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10022
Telephone: 212-888-5770
Fax: 212-888-5213