Zambia has excellent national parks teeming with birds and animals, as well as the spectacular Victoria Falls and Zambezi River. Apart from sightseeing, these places are also centre for a range of activities ranging from canoeing to white-water rafting and bungee jumping.

For independent travelers Zambia is still a challenge - distances are long, and getting around takes persistence, particularly once you get off the main routes. But for many people, the challenge is the main attraction. Without a doubt, in Zambia you come pretty close to finding the 'real' Africa.

For many years Zambia was the Cinderella of Africa, often overlooked by tourists, and forgotten by the rest of the world as disastrous politics in the 1970s and 1980s led to poverty and the virtual breakdown of the country. But by the 1990s the fortunes of Zambia changed, as a massive shift on the political scene lead to economic reforms and other improvements.

Full country name: Republic of Zambia
Area: 752,600 sq km
Population: 10.4 million
People: African (98%): main ethnic groups are Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi and Tonga. Smaller groups include Ngoni, Lunda, Kaonde, Luvale and Asian (1%); European (1%)
Language: English, Bemba,
Religion: Christian (50-75%), indigenous beliefs (50 - 75%); many people follow both
Government: republic
Head of State: President Levy Mwanawasa

GDP: US$8.9 billion
GDP per capita: US$890
Annual Growth: 0.5%
Major Industries: Copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer
Major Trading Partners: Japan, South Africa, USA, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, UK, Zimbabwe