Independence Day of Zambia today

Today marks the Independence Day of the Republic of Zambia commemorating its independence from the United Kingdom on this day in 1964.

A landlocked country in Southern Africa, Zambia has 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. Lusaka is the capital and largest city which is located in the south-central part of the country.

Zambia’s population is multi-ethnic with 70 Bantu-speaking groups. Based on 2009 estimates, there are 12.9 million people in Zambia, 87% of which are Christians. The history of Zambia resembles that of its neighboring countries. During the 18th century, various European powers visited the country and by the 19th century, Zambia was gradually claimed and occupied by the British as protectorate of Northern Rhodesia.

The copper industry has been Zambia’s strong income contributor to the economy. It is believed that Zambian copper mines are among the richest in the world. Other major mining resources are cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emerald, gold, silver, and uranium.

We congratulate the government and people of Zambia led by Their Excellencies, President Michael Sata and Vice President Guy Scott, and its Consulate in the Philippines headed by Consul Luis I. Ablaza, Jr., on the occasion of its Independence Day. We wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors. MABUHAY!