note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
Currency:
Zambian kwacha (ZMK)
Languages:
English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages
Elevation:
highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m
lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m
Natural hazards:
tropical storms (November to April)
Climate:
tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)
Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's economy has a long way to go. Privatization of government-owned copper mines relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. In late 2000, Zambia was determined to be eligible for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Inflation and unemployment rates remain high, but the GDP growth rate should rise in 2001.
Industry:
copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer
