Beachcomber

Zambia has moved from being a major copper producer and potentially one of the continent's richest countries at independence in 1964 to one of the world's poorest.

• Full name: Republic of Zambia
• Population: 11.9 million (UN, 2007)
• Capital: Lusaka
• Area: 752,614 sq km (290,586 sq miles)
• Major language: English (official), Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja, Tonga
• Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Hinduism, Islam
• Life expectancy: 42 years (men), 42 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 Kwacha = 100 ngwee
• Main exports: Copper, minerals, tobacco
• GNI per capita: US $490 (World Bank, 2006)
• Internet domain: .zm
• International dialling code: +260