Zambia, republic in south central Africa, bounded on the north by Zaire and Tanzania; on the east by Malawi; on the southeast by Mozambique; on the south by Zimbabwe, Botswana, and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia; and on the west by Angola. The area is 752,614 sq. km (290,586-sq. mi.). Zambia's capital and largest city is Lusaka.

Most of Zambia is high plateau with a flat or gently undulating terrain. Elevations average between about 1100 and 1400 m (about 3500 and 4500 ft). Mountains in the northeast reach 2164 m (7100 ft). Major rivers are the Zambezi and its tributaries, the Kafue and the Luangwa, in the south and west; and the Luapula and Chambeshi, in the north. Lake Bangweulu, in the north, is surrounded by a vast swampy region. Lake Kariba is a large reservoir formed by Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River.

Although lying within the Tropic Zone, much of Zambia enjoys a pleasant subtropical climate because of the high altitude. The average temperature in Lusaka during July, the coldest month of the year, is 16° C (61° F); the hottest month, January, has an average temperature of 21° C (70° F). Annual rainfall ranges from 750 mm (30 in) in the south to 1300 mm (51 in) in the north. Nearly all of the rain falls between November and April.