xpectancy at birth:
total population: 36.96 years
male: 36.72 years
female: 37.21 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.35 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Zambian(s)
adjective: Zambian

Ethnic groups: African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%

Religions: Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%,
indigenous beliefs 1%

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

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write English
total population: 78.2%
male: 85.6%
female: 71.3% (1995 est.)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Zambia
conventional short form: Zambia
former: Northern Rhodesia

Data code: ZA

Government type: republic

Capital: Lusaka

Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt,
Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western

Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964)

Constitution: 2 August 1991

Legal system: based on English common law and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional
council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Frederick CHILUBA (since 31 October 1991);
Vice President Christon TEMBO (since NA December 1997); note--the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Frederick CHILUBA (since 31 October
1991); Vice President Christon TEMBO (since NA December 1997);
note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members
of the National Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 18 November 1996 (next to be held NA October
2001); vice president appointed by the president
election results: Frederick CHILUBA reelected president; percent of
vote--Frederick CHILUBA 70%, Dean MUNGO'MBA 12%, Humphrey MULEMBA 6%,
Akashambatwa LEWANIKA 4%, Chama CHAKOMBOKA 3%, others 5%

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (150 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 18 November 1996 (next to be held NA October
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