Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia, located in the southern part of a central plateau, about 1,279 meters (4,190 feet) above sea level. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in southern Africa and serves as the main center for business and government in Zambia. Lusaka connects to the country's four major highways, leading north, south, east, and west. English is the official language used by the city government.
Early History and Development
The earliest signs of people living near Lusaka date back to the 6th century AD. The first known village was built around the 11th century. It had round huts and was near where the Olympia suburb is today. Over the centuries, different groups of people moved in and out of the area. Modern Lusaka sits on the border of the Lenje lands to the north and the Soli lands to the south.
In the 19th century, slave traders came to the area, taking people from the Soli and Lenje communities. Because of these attacks and their farming methods, the Soli and Lenje often moved. In the late 1800s, Cecil Rhodes' British South African Company (BSAC) took control of the Lusaka area in 1899, naming the region Barotziland-North-Western Rhodesia.
Lusaka was founded in 1905 as a water stop on the railway built by the BSAC. It was named after a local chief, Lusaaka. White farmers settled in the area, and Lusaka became their main center.
Becoming the Capital
In 1929, the British colonial government decided to move its capital from Livingstone to a more central place. Lusaka was chosen as the new capital because it was on the railway and at the crossing of two main roads. A town planner named Stanley Adshead was hired to design the new capital.
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In 1934, Prince George visited Lusaka. Lusaka officially became the capital in May 1935, with government officials moving from Livingstone to Lusaka by a special train. Adshead's original plan for Lusaka was for it to be only an administrative center. However, later plans included areas for businesses and industries.
Building Lusaka continued through the late 1930s, but money was short. During World War II, the copper industry grew, bringing more money to the government, which led to more people moving to cities.
Post-War Growth and Independence
In 1948, a new law allowed permanent residential areas for Africans, leading to the construction of new suburbs like New Chilenje and Matero. In 1953, Northern Rhodesia merged with its neighbors to form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Lusaka remained the capital of Northern Rhodesia, but many government offices moved to Salisbury (now Harare), causing Lusaka's economy to suffer.
In 1964, Northern Rhodesia became independent as the Republic of Zambia, and Lusaka became its capital. A huge building program followed, including new government buildings, the University of Zambia, and a new airport. These new jobs attracted even more people to Lusaka, making the housing shortage worse.
Lusaka became a center for groups fighting for independence in other southern African countries. In 1969, African leaders met in Lusaka and created the Lusaka Manifesto. In the 1970s, Zambia's economy faced challenges due to falling copper prices, leading to fewer jobs in Lusaka. In the 2000s, Zambia's economy grew again, and the government started projects to improve housing and services in Lusaka.
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Geography and Climate
Zambia's land is mostly a high plateau with some hills. Lusaka is on this plateau in south-central Zambia, about 1,280 meters (4,190 feet) high. The city is about 472 kilometers (293 miles) northeast of Livingstone. The city of Lusaka is the same as Lusaka District. The ground in Lusaka allows more groundwater to collect than other parts of Zambia. The city is on a drainage divide, with water flowing into the Chongwe River to the northeast and the Kafue River to the west and south.
Lusaka has a humid subtropical climate due to its high altitude, featuring hot summers and cool winters. The coldest month is July, with an average temperature of 14.9°C (58.8°F). Cold weather mostly happens at night in June and July.
Demographics and Language
In 2010, Lusaka's population was over 1.7 million people. It has continued to grow quickly, reaching an estimated 2.7 million in 2020. Lusaka does not have one main ethnic group, with people from all of Zambia's different groups living here. The government also has a "One Zambia, One Nation" policy.
Like the rest of Zambia, English is the official national language in Lusaka. The local language spoken in the city until the late 1980s was Nyanja, brought by people who moved from Eastern Province. The mix of these languages has created a new language in Lusaka called Town Nyanja.
Economy and Infrastructure
Lusaka is the main economic and financial hub of Zambia. It is the country's largest business center and main gateway to the rest of the world. In 2014, Lusaka Province had the second-highest gross domestic product in Zambia. Unlike Zambia as a whole, where farming and mining are biggest, Lusaka's economy is mostly based on services, including wholesale and retail trade. Major job areas in the city are finance, insurance, real estate, transport, and construction.
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Lusaka has two airports. Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is used for both civilian and military flights. The city is served by the Cape to Cairo Railway (Zambia Railways), connecting Lusaka to cities like Kabwe and Ndola in the north, and Livingstone and Bulawayo in the south. Public transport within the city is mainly by minibuses, larger buses, and shared taxis.
Zambia has five national hospitals that provide specialized care, two of which are in Lusaka. The largest is the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), serving about 2 million people and acting as the main place for training doctors and nurses in Zambia.
Sports and Culture
Top 5 Biggest Stadium in Zambia and their capacities
The biggest sports place in Lusaka is National Heroes Stadium, which can hold 60,000 people. It is used for home matches of the Zambian national football team.
As of 2021, six of the eighteen teams in Zambia's top football league are from Lusaka. The city's most successful club is Zanaco F.C., which has won seven national titles. Another successful team is Green Buffaloes F.C.
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Reflecting the importance of the United States’ diplomatic relationship with Zambia, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson dedicated the new United States Embassy compound in Zambia. The new Embassy on Ibex Hill was designed to incorporate unique architectural features that showcase elements of Zambia. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification. The $126 million project generated jobs in both the United States and Zambia.
Since the 1999 enactment of the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has moved more than 22,000 people into safer facilities. interests worldwide.
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