The peaceful, democratic and resource-rich country of Zambia has been identified as one of Africa’s most promising economies. Social and political stability, fiscal discipline and a healthy macroeconomic environment have laid the foundation for further growth and development.
 THE ZAMBIAN ECONOMY
Agriculture: Considered vital for attaining broad-based economic growth as well as protecting the social sector, the agricultural sector is important in terms of food security, with many Zambians involved in subsistence farming.
Tourism: Zambia’s spectacular national parks and game reserves of international standing underline the economic potential of the tourism industry. Growth in recent years has been stimulated by investment in tourism facilities such as hotels and lodges, the rehabilitation of the country’s four international airports to international standards, and enhanced promotional activities targeted at both local and international markets. The sector has the potential for further productive investment in areas such as hospitality services and the rehabilitation of tourism infrastructure.
THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM
Zambia has been a parliamentary democracy since 1991. The executive branch of government is headed by the president, while the 150-member unicameral national assembly (elected through direct, universal suffrage) is the seat of legislative power. The independent judiciary consists of a supreme court, with judgesappointed by the president and ratified by the national assembly. The ruling party is the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), with other important political parties comprising the United Party for National Development (UPND), Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), United National Independence Party (UNIP), Heritage Party (HP), Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) and Patriotic Front (PF). Elections are held every five years, with the president serving a maximum of two five-year terms.
TOPOGRAPHY & GEOGRAPHY
One of the smaller countries in the region, Zambia has a surface area of 752 612 square kilometres. A landlocked nation, she is bordered by Angola to the west, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the west and north, Tanzania to the northeast, Malawi to the east, and Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south. The north and northeast of the country form a broad, undulating plateau covered by deciduous savannah, small trees, grassy plains and marshland. At 2 150 metres, Mwanda Peak near the Malawian border is the highest point in Zambia. The vast plateau slopes away to the south, where the country’s main river, the Zambezi, forms a natural border with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Other important rivers comprise the Luangwa, which joins the Zambezi from the northeast, and the Kafue, which flows from Zambia’s north-western highlands. One of the natural wonders of the world, the spectacular Victoria Falls is the region’s foremost tourist attraction.
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Introduction 
