Lusaka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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). 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[citation needed].
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[edit] History
Lusaka was expanded in 1905 by European settlers, at the site of a village named after the village headman Lusaaka. Due to its central location, in 1935, it 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, it became the capital of the newly independent Zambia.
[edit] Culture
The city centre lies around Cairo Road, around which lie the New City Market and Kamwala Market, a major shopping area, and the Zintu Community Museum. Further east lies the government area, around the Cathedral Hill and Ridgeway areas. Other suburbs include Elizabetha Villa, Fairview, Kabulonga, Kabwata (a working class area, home to the Kabwata Cultural Centre), Madras, 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 show), the Moore Pottery Factory, the Lusaka Playhouse theatre, a cinema, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, a centotaph, 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.
[edit] Modern times
Lately, Lusaka has become a popular urban settlement for most 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 quite evident that with proper and effective economic reforms, Lusaka as well as Zambia as a whole will develop considerably.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
