Zambia takes its name from the Zambezi River, which rises in the north-west corner of the country and forms its southern boundary. The landlocked country lies between latitudes 10o and 18o South and longitudes 22o and 33o East.

Zambia’s 752, 000 square kilometres makes it a large country about the size of France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland combined.

The level of the land falls southward from the Congo DR / Zambezi divide in the north towards the Zambezi depression in the South. The plateau is broken by the huge valleys of the Upper Zambezi and its major tributaries, of which the Kafue and Luangwa rivers are the largest. One result of the plateau formation of Africa generally is the swift discharge of water towards the coast and the interruption of the rivers by waterfalls and rapids. This has made them of little value for transport over their length, but very suitable for hydroelectric schemes and white water rafting adventures.

Along the southern border of the country stretches Lake Kariba, the largest man made lake in Africa and the second largest in the world. It is about 280kms long and 40kms across at its widest point.

The Climate

The general height of the land gives Zambia a more pleasant climate than that experienced in most tropical countries. There are three seasons - cool and dry from May to August, hot and dry from September to November, warm and wet from December to April.
Only in the Valleys of the Zambezi and Luangwa is there excessive heat, particularly in October and, in the wet season, a high humidity.