Zambia

Victoria Falls, photo courtesy SXC

In Zambia, the African Upper Air Data Rescue Project is concerned with conserving the pilot balloon (pibal) and radiosonde data that has been collected over the years. Data recovery from Zambia has been extensive.

When IEDRO volunteer Martin Munkhondya visited the Zambian Meteorological Service, he brought them replacement digital cameras and other equipment and supplies. They are doing a great job there and we appreciate their enthusiasm. (Zambia project members left to right: Namakau Muyunda, Elija Miyemba, Martin Munkhondya, and Davies Langeni.)

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Population: 11,669,534

Capital: Lusaka

Ethnic groups: African, European, other

Language: English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages

Religion: Christian, Muslim and Hindu, indigenous beliefs

Median age: 16.9 years

Life expectancy: 38.59 years

GDP per capita: $1,500/year

Industries: Copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, and horticulture

Economy: Zambia’s economy has experienced strong growth in recent years, with real GDP growth in 2005-08 about 6% per year. Privatization of government-owned copper mines in the 1990s 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. Copper output has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and foreign investment.  Although poverty continues to be a significant problem in Zambia, its economy has strengthened, featuring single-digit inflation, a relatively stable currency, decreasing interest rates, and increasing levels of trade.

Reference: CIA World Factbook: Zambia