Zambia+Economy

// Home Page: __ Zambia __// //__ Economic Overview: __// Copper has been the long foundation of Zambia’s economy. In the 1970’s, when copper prices were high the copper industries contributed 90 percent of Zambia’s exports. Now it is only one third of what it use to be. //__ Government Type: __// Republic  //__ Suffrage: __//  18 years of age //__ Currency Exchange Rate: __// Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar - 5,237.4 (2009), 3,512.9 (2008), 3,990.2 (2007), 3,601.5 (2006), 4,463.5 (2005) //__ GDP per capita: __// $1,600 //__Agriculture Products:__// Corn, sorghum, rice, groundnuts, sunflower seeds, vegetables, fruits, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, livestock, coffee, and soybeans  //__ Imports (commodities): __//  Machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing  //__ Exports __////__ (commodities): __//  Copper and cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity; tobacco, flowers, cotton //__ Land Use: __// Arable land: 6.99% Permanent crops: 0.04% Other: 92.97% (2005)   //__ Natural Resources: __//  Copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydroelectric power, and fertile land  //__ Natural Hazards: __// Flooding Drought Tropical storms from November to April

//__ Environmental Issues: __// Flooding Air pollution and resulting acid rain Chemical runoff into watersheds Poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephants, antelope, and large cat populations Deforestation Soil erosion Desertification The lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks. Drought T ropical storms from November to April

//__ Industries: __// Copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, and horticulture