| Every year, thousands of people come from other
countries to Canada to start a new life. They bring with them many skills
and the hope of contributing to their new society. This booklet was written
to help Canadians learn more about Zambia and Zambians. Perhaps you are
hosting a Zambian family as part of the HOST Program, or learning about
people from other countries in school. You may be working with Zambians
who have settled in Canada recently, or you may have met people from Zambia
and would like to know more about their country.
Moving to a new country is never easy. Like many
newcomers to Canada, Zambians arrive with mixed feelings. They may be excited
about working or studying in Canada, but they have left behind their home,
friends and family. As you can imagine, they will find life here very different.
They will need to adjust to many changes.
You will probably find that you and your new friends
have much in common. They will have many of the same questions and concerns
that you would have if you were moving to a new city or country. What is
my new neighbourhood like? Where will I buy food for my family? What kind
of medical care is available? Where will my children go to school? You
can help them by providing practical information. Even more important,
you can offer your time and your friendship. You have a great deal to learn
from each other.
Like Canada, Zambia is a multicultural nation
with many different peoples, languages and traditions. Four major tribes
and more than 50 different clans live in Zambia. Although this cultural
profile provides insight into some customs, it does not cover all facets
of life. The customs described may not apply in equal measure to all newcomers
from Zambia.
|
Summary Fact Sheet |
 |
| Official
Name: |
Republic of
Zambia |
| Capital: |
Lusaka |
| Type of Government: |
Constitutional
democracy |
| Population: |
9.5 million |
| Area: |
752,615 sq.
km |
| Major Ethnic
Groups: |
Tonga, Bemba,
Nyanja, Lozi, Luvale |
| Language: |
English, Tonga,
Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, Luvale, Lunda, Kaonde, and more than 70 other dialects |
| Religions: |
Christianity,
traditional religions, Hinduism, Islam |
| Unit of Currency: |
Kwacha |
| National
Flag: |
Green with an
orange eagle flying over a rectangular block made up of three vertical
stripes in red, black and orange |
| Date of Independence: |
October 24,
1964 |
|
|
| Zambia
is named after the Zambezi River, which flows through the country. Before
1964, the country was called Northern Rhodesia, after Cecil Rhodes. |
| Zambia
has one of the lowest population densities in the world. It also has one
of the highest urban populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Half of Zambia's
people live in its cities. Close to 2 million people live in Lusaka, the
capital. |
|