LUSAKA

'Lusaka' is the capital and largest city of Zambia. It is located in south central Zambia at , on a plateau at 1300 m (4265 ft) in altitude. It has a population of 1,084,703 (2000 census) and is considered one of the fastest growing (in terms of population) cities in Africa. It is in the Lusaka Province, the central province of Zambia, which is a densely populated and tribally diverse region. The Lunsemfwa River is near the city. Since it is the commercial center and governmental seat of Zambia, all the arterial roads lead to Lusaka. As of 2007, the current mayor is Steven Chilatu (PF). The deputy Mayor is Charles Msiska.

Contents

History

Overview and culture

Airport

2011 All African Games

Sister Cities

External links

History

Lusaka was expanded in 1905 by European (mainly British) settlers, at the site of a village named after the village headman Lusaaka. According to history, the village was found at Manda Hill, near where the Zambia's National Assembly building now stands. In the Nyanja language, ''Manda'' means graveyard.
In 1935, due to its central location as a crossroads of railroad and commercial road activity, it was chosen to replaced Livingstone as the capital of the British colony of Northern Rhodesia. After the federation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia in 1953, it was a centre of the civil disobedience movement that led to the creation of the independent state of Zambia. In 1964, Lusaka became the capital of the newly independent Zambia.
In recent years, Lusaka has become a popular urban settlement for Zambians and tourists alike. Its central nature and fast growing infrastructure sector has increased donor confidence and as such Zambians are seeing signs of development in the form of job creation, housing, etc. Consequently, it is thought that with proper and effective economic reforms, Lusaka as well as Zambia as a whole will develop considerably. Lusaka is home to a diverse community of foreigners, many of whom work in the aid industry as well as diplomats, representatives of religious organisations and some business people.

Overview and culture

The city centre includes several blocks west of Cairo Road, around which lie the New City Market and Kamwala Market, a major shopping area, as well as the Zintu Community Museum. Further east lies the government area, including the State House and the various ministries, around the Cathedral Hill and Ridgeway areas. Other suburbs around Lusaka include Chawama, Elizabetha Villa, Fairview, Kabulonga, Kabwata (a working class area, home to the Kabwata Cultural Centre), Madras, Matero, Kalingalinga, Chipata Compound (one of the worst compounds), Manda Hill (another major shopping area), Northmead (known for its nightlife), Olympia Park, Rhodes Park, Roma, Thorn Park and Woodlands.
Attractions include Lusaka National Museum, the Political Museum, the Zintu Community Museum, the Freedom Statue, the Zambian National Assembly, the Agricultural Society Showgrounds (known for their annual agricultural show), the Moore Pottery Factory, the Lusaka Playhouse theatre, a cinema, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in , a cenotaph, a golf club, the Lusaka Central Sports Club, and the zoo and botanical gardens of the Munda Wanga Environmental Park. The city is also home to the University of Zambia.

Airport

The city is home to Lusaka International Airport and lies on the railway line from Livingstone to Kitwe. This airport is the hub of Zambian Airways. The airport is also used as a military airport as well as a public one. There is also an old airport nearer to the center of the city that is no longer used by civilians.

2011 All African Games

Lusaka will host the 2011 All-Africa Games. A new stadium of a 70,000 capacity will be built in Lusaka for the games. This is the first time the country has held the games, and games related development is contributing to some city-wide redevelopment.

Sister Cities

★ Dushanbe, Tajikistan, since 1966

★ Los Angeles, United States, since 1968

External links

★ Lusaka City Council

★ Zambia Tourism page on Lusaka

★ Map of Lusaka

★ Visit Zambia Campaign

★ Showing you ZambiaGeneral Information about Zambia

★ Lusaka Social Centre

★ Lusaka Times