The Republic of Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa, boasts a rich history and diverse geography. It shares borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the northeast, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west. From 1911 to 1964, it was known as Northern Rhodesia.
Geography and Environment
Zambia's average elevation is about 3,500 feet (1,100 meters) above sea level, moderating its tropical climate.
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Luapula Province is one of Zambia's ten provinces, situated in the northern part of the country. The province borders along DR Congo and it extends along the northern and eastern banks of the river from Lake Bangweulu to Lake Mweru, including waters and islands of those lakes.
Around 40 per cent of Luapula is covered with water and there are a number of rivers and lakes. Congo Pedicle, the southeast salient of the Katanga Province of the DR Congo, which sticks into neighbouring Zambia, divides it into two lobes. It is bordered by Northern Province on the eastern side and Central Province on the southeastern side. The major towns in the province include Samfya, Mansa, Nchelenge and Mwansabombwe.
Historical Context
Ancestors of the Tonga tribe reached the area between AD 1000 and 1100. Cecil Rhodes and his British South Africa Company claimed all the land between the Portuguese territories of Angola and Mozambique for Great Britain in the 1890s. It was later divided into Nyasaland (now Malawi), Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and Northern Rhodesia (Zambia).
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In the 19th century, the valley was dominated by the Kingdom of Lunda of Mwata Kazembe. The boundaries of the province between Zambia and DR Congo were disputed for many years, running from an 1894 treaty into the late 1960s.
From the 1950s, there were revolutionary groups that supported the Anti Federationist African National Congress. Post independence, the province was the base for the United National Independence Party (UNIP) militants.
Frederick Chiluba, the leader of Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), who went on to become the President of Zambia in 1991, obtained majority mandate during the 1991 elections. The province was the least affected among all areas in the country during the 1991 famine.
Economy and Resources
The economy of Zambia is based on the mining of copper, cobalt, zinc, and other industrial minerals and on the commercial production of tobacco, groundnuts, and cotton. Since independence, metal exports have accounted for about 95 percent of foreign-exchange earnings and have been the major source of investment capital for other parts of the economy.
The major economic activities are agriculture and fishing, with cassava being the major crop. A rich belt of minerals known as the Copperbelt lies near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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As per the report of agricultural statistics of 2014 published by the Central Statistical Office of Zambia, the major economic activity in the province was fishing. Though rich in natural resources, the province is one of the backward districts in the country.
Constant migration of labour from DR Congo and also from nearby Copperbelt Province is observed in Laupula. As of 2004, 79 per cent of the population was poor against a national average of 68. The total area of crops planted during the year 2014 in the province was 57,966.31 ha (143,237.9 acres) which constituted 3.06 per cent of the total area cultivated in Zambia. The net production stood at 150,029 metric tonnes, which formed 3.68 per cent of the total agricultural production in the country.
Demographics and Social Indicators
Africans-who speak mainly Bemba, Nyanja, and Tonga-constitute 98 percent of the population. There are small but significant European and Asian communities engaged in commerce, mining, and agriculture. English is the official language and is used in parliament and instruction.
As per the 2010 Zambian census, Luapula Province had a population of 991,927 which accounted for 7.57 per cent of the total Zambian population of 13,092,666. There were 488,589 males and 503,338 females, making the sex ratio to 1,030 for every 1,000 males, compared to the national average of 1,028. The literacy rate stood at 62.60 per cent against a national average of 70.2 per cent.
The rural population constituted 80.39 per cent, while the urban population was 19.61 per cent. The total area of the province was 50,567 km2 (19,524 sq mi) and the population density was 19.60 per km2. The decadal population growth of the province was 2.50 per cent. The median age in the province at the time of marriage was 20.3. The average household size was 4.9, with the families headed by females being 4.0 and 5.4 for families headed by men. The total eligible voters in the province was 65.40 per cent.
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Bemba was the most spoken language with 71.30 per cent speaking it.
Key Demographic Indicators (2010)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 991,927 |
| % of Total Zambian Population | 7.57% |
| Sex Ratio (Females per 1,000 Males) | 1,030 |
| Literacy Rate | 62.60% |
| Rural Population | 80.39% |
| Urban Population | 19.61% |
| Population Density | 19.60 per km2 |
Administration and Governance
The chief artery of the province is the Samfya-Mansa-Mwansabombwe-Nchelenge highway, known as the Zambia Way. The Congo Pedicle is located between the province and the industrial and commercial heartland of the Copperbelt. The issues in transportation was partly resolved with the construction of the Luapula Bridge and the Samfya-Serenje road, and being further alleviated by the construction of the Chembe Bridge.
Provincial administration is set up purely for administrative purposes. The province is headed by a minister appointed by the President and there are ministries of central government for each province. The administrative head of the province is the Permanent Secretary, appointed by the President. There is a Deputy Permanent Secretary, heads of government departments and civil servants at the provincial level.
Luapula Province is divided into twelve districts, namely Chembe District, Chiengi District, Chifunabuli District, Chipili District, Kawambwa District, Lunga District, Mansa District, Milenge District, Mwansabombwe District, Mwense District, Nchelenge District and Samfya District. All the district headquarters are the same as the district names. There are twelve councils in the province, each of which is headed by an elected representative, called councilor.
Tourism and Cultural Heritage
Luapula has constant migration of labour from DR Congo and also from nearby Copperbelt Province.
It has eight major attractions of the country among its waterfalls, wildlife and cultural heritage.
Mutomboko ceremony is the most important festival celebrated. The chief artery of the province is the Samfya-Mansa-Mwansabombwe-Nchelenge highway known informally as the Zambia Way.
Lumangwe Falls located in Mporokoso District, Ntumbacushi Falls in Kawambwa district, Kabwelume Waterfalls on the Kalungwishi River, Mumbuluma Falls in Mansa, Mumbotuta Waterfalls in the confluence of Mumbotuta streams and Luapula River, Kundabwika Waterfalls, Chilongo Waterfalls located 85 km (53 mi) from Kawambwa boma are the major water falls in the province. Other major picnic areas in the Province are the Samfya Beach in Lake Bangweulu, the shores of Lake Mweru in Chienge District, and the Nchelemge Beach in Lake Mweru.
Lusenga Plain National Park and Bangweulu Wetlands are the major wildlife areas in the province. Mutukumbo festival is the major festival celebrated in the province in Luapala Valley. It is held annually during July and attracts around 20,000 people, including the President of Zambia. The event involves enacting the migration of Luba Lunda and conquest of the valley by the chiefs of the tribe during historic times. Kwanga festival is held in the October by the Njumba tribe in Samfya.
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