Lusaka, Zambia

LUSAKA, the capital and largest city of Zambia, is situated on a high-altitude plateau in the south-central region of the country. It serves as the political, economic, and transport hub of the nation, connecting Zambia's main highways heading north, south, east, and west. Established as a village in 1905 and named after a local village headman, Lusaka has rapidly transformed into a bustling, modern metropolis with vibrant open-air markets, a growing skyline, and a diverse multicultural population.

Capital of Zambia: Lusaka

Location: Located in the south-central region of the country. Zambia itself is a landlocked nation situated in Southern Africa, east of Angola and surrounded by seven other neighboring countries.

Population: The population of Lusaka's metropolitan area is approximately 3.5 million, while the total population of Zambia is around 21.1 million.

Climate: Tropical modified by altitude; characterized by three distinct seasons: a cool and dry season (May to August), a hot and dry season (September to October), and a warm and wet/rainy season (November to April).

Local Time: Lusaka is on Central Africa Time (CAT), which is UTC/GMT +2. Zambia does not observe Daylight Saving Time. This makes Lusaka 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles (or 10 hours ahead when Los Angeles is on Standard Time).

National Day: Independence Day is celebrated on October 24, commemorating the nation's liberation from British colonial rule in 1964.

Flag of Zambia: Features a solid green field with a small block of three vertical stripes—red (left), black (middle), and orange (right)—in the lower right hoist corner. A soaring orange eagle sits directly above these stripes, symbolizing the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems.

Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMW / ZK)