FACTS ABOUT ZAMBIA

Motto

One Zambia, One Nation

Time Zone

UTC+2 (CAT)

Dialing Code

+260

Area

752 618 km² /

467 655mi²

Population

19 million

Dominant Religion

Christian

Official Language

English

Most Spoken

Bemba

National
Bird

African fish eagle

Haliaeetus vocifer

National Flower

Bougainvillea

National Game

Football / soccer

THE FLAG

The flag of Zambia was hoisted for the first time at midnight on the 23rd October 1964, symbolising patriotism and the nation’s natural resources. It comprises an eagle in flight over three stripes of red, black and orange on a green background.

Red represents the struggle for freedom; black, the people of Zambia; orange the country’s mineral wealth; and green the wildlife and natural environment. The eagle symbolizes the freedom in Zambia and the ability to rise above national problems.

COAT OF ARMS

The coat of arms of Zambia is composed of an African fish eagle (the eagle of liberty) hovering above a pickaxe and hoe (representative of the country’s economic backbone).

Making up the base are a Zambian man and woman supporting a shield depicting the Victoria Falls.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free

Stand and sing of Zambia proud and free, Land of works and joy in unity, Victors in the struggle for the right, We have won freedom’s fight, All one, strong and free.

Africa is our own motherland, fashioned with and blessed by God’s good hand, Let us all her people join as one, Brothers under the sun, All one, strong and free.

One land and one nation is our cry, Dignity and peace ‘neath the Zambian sky, Like our noble eagle in its flight, Zambia, praise to thee, All one, strong and free.

Praise to God, Bless our great nation, Free men we stand, Under the flag of our land, Zambia praise to thee, All one strong and free.

MEMBERSHIP

INTERNATIONAL: Commonwealth, General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Non-aligned Movement (NAM), United Nations (UN), World Bank (WB) and World Health Organisation (WHO)

REGIONAL: African Development Bank, Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa), African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC)

USEFUL WORDS

ENGLISH

Hello
Goodbye
How are you?
I am fine
Thank you

BEMBA

Shani
Shalapo pitani
Uli shani?
Ndi bwino
Natotela
sana

NYANJA

Bwanji
Bwino
Muli bwanji?
Ndili bwino
Dzikomo
kwambili

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

  • 1 January – New Year’s Day
  • 12 March – Youth Day
  • Good Friday
  • Holy Saturday
  • Easter Monday
  • 1 May – Labour Day
  • 25 May – Africa Freedom Day
  • 1st Monday of July – Hero’s Day
  • 1st Tuesday of July – Unity Day
  • 1st Monday of August – Farmer’s Day
  • 24 October – Independence Day
  • 25 December – Christmas Day