At the warm heart of Africa
- POSTED ON: 25 Aug, 2023
- TOTAL VIEWS: 380 Views
- POSTED BY: Bhavya Venkatesh
- ARTICLE POINTS: 150 Points
At the crossroads of central, southern and eastern Africa lies a landlocked country that abounds in wildlife and wilderness — Zambia. It is surrounded by Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Tanzania. Its capital is Lusaka and its currency is the Kwacha.
Landform
A large portion of the country is covered by a central plateau featuring undulating flat lands with gentle hills. The Luangwa Valley in the east, called the honey-pot of Zambia, has an abundance of wildlife. The northeastern part has rising highlands known as the Muchinga escarpment. In the west, along with the border with Angola, are sandy plains that are not suitable for agriculture. In the south is the Zambezi Valley, formed by the Zambezi river, the longest east-flowing river in Africa. Lake Kariba, the world’s biggest reservoir by volume, lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
People
Zambia comprises 72 ethnic groups, many of whom are Bantu-speaking. The official language is English, which is used in business and education. Seven other indigenous languages are also officially recognised — Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, Tonga, Kaonde, Luvale, and Lunda. Zambia is also one of the youngest countries in the world by median age, and more than 50% of the people are below the age of 18.
Cuisine
The staple food here is maize, and the main meal is usually nshima, a thick porridge made from pounded white maize. Other popular dishes include Ifinkubala (caterpillars), Inswa (flying insects), Chikanda (dried and pounded orchid), Ifishashi (peanuts and rapeseed), Vitumbuwa (fritters), Munkoyo (a fermented drink), Michopo (roasted meat) and several types of fish.
Wildlife
With diverse habitats and an abundance of water sources, the country is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. It is rich in a large variety of creatures, including the Big Five – the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo. The riverbanks and floodplains of the Luangwa Valley in particular are densely packed with mammals and birds. Several creatures are endemic to this region, such as Ansell’s Shrew, Black Lechwe, Cookson’s Wildebeest, Zambian Mole-rat, Black-cheeked Lovebird, White-chested Tinkerbird, Zambian Barbet, and Schmitz’s Legless Skink.