Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ZAMBIA FAST FACTS
»
Area
752,614 sq km
»
Capital
Lusaka
»
Famous for
National parks, safari walks, top-notch wildlife viewing and Victoria Falls
»
Languages
English, Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja and Tonga
»
Money
Zambian kwacha (ZMW)
Information
The main commercial thoroughfare, or at least that of the 'old' central business district, is
Cairo Rd, lined with basic shops, fast-food outlets, banks and offices (the burnt-out Soci-
ety House, something of an embarrassing landmark, is to be redeveloped into a hotel and
mall complex by summer 2014). To the north and south are major traffic roundabouts.
West of Cairo Rd are small shops selling everything from maize meal to auto parts and
then the crowded and chaotic city markets. North and northwest of here is the industrial
area, and beyond that are the poorer suburbs, generally called 'the compounds' (read
'townships'). East of Cairo Rd, across the railway line and near the train station, is the
Inter-City Bus Station. Further east are the wide jacaranda-lined streets of the smarter res-
idential suburbs and the area officially called Embassy Triangle (not surprisingly, home to
many embassies and high commissions). Further east and north, around Manda Hill and
Arcades Shopping Centres, is where many visitors end up spending the bulk of their time;
a good number of corporate offices have relocated out this way continuing the gradual
emptying of the central business district.
