Luapula Province

Location of Luapula Province in Zambia

Luapula Province is one of Zambia's nine provinces, and is located in the north of the country. The provincial capital is Mansa. Luapula Province was named after the Luapula River.

It extends along the northern and eastern banks of the river from Lake Bangweulu to Lake Mweru, including waters and islands of those lakes, and is inhabited by Bemba-speaking peoples (including the Lunda, Kabende, Aushi, Chishinga and Bemba). The major economic activity is fishing. The chief artery of the province is the Samfya-Mansa-Mwansabombwe-Nchelenge highway known informally as the Zambia Way.

The province is bordered along the Luapula River, through Lake Mweru and to its north by DR Congo which at times has led to disputes and conflict. The Congo Pedicle comes between the province and the industrial and commercial heartland of the Copperbelt which has caused problems partly resolved by construction of the Luapula Bridge and the Samfya-Serenje road, and being further alleviated by the construction of the Chembe Bridge.

History

In the 19th century the valley was dominated by the Lunda kingdom of Mwata Kazembe.

The boundaries of the province between Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo were disputed for many years, running from an 1894 treaty into the late 1960s.

National Parks and wildlife areas

For further details see Luapula Province in Wildlife of Zambia

• Lusenga Plain National Park is inaccessible, needs management and has been depleted by poaching.
• Lake Mweru-Luapula River system: bird life, aquatic animals, fish (rather depleted).
• Lake Bangweulu and its wetlands: bird life, aquatic animals, fish.

Districts

Districts of Luapula

Luapula Province is divided into 8 districts:

See also

• Lake Bangweulu
• Congo Pedicle
• Mwata Kazembe

v t e Districts of Zambia Central Province Chibombo Itezhi-Tezhi Kabwe Kapiri Mposhi Mkushi Mumbwa Serenje Copperbelt Province Chililabombwe Chingola Kalulushi Kitwe Luanshya Lufwanyama Masaiti Mpongwe Mufulira Ndola Eastern Province Chadiza Chipata Katete Lundazi Mambwe Nyimba Petauke Sinda Vubwi Luapula Province Chiengi Chipili Chembe Kawambwa Lunga Mansa Milenge Mwansabobwe Mwense Nchelenge Samfya Lusaka Province Chilanga Chirundu Chongwe Kafue Luangwa Lusaka Rufunsa Shibuyunji Muchinga Province Chama Chinsali Isoka Mafinga Mpika Nakonde Northern Province Chilubi Kaputa Kasama Luwingu Mbala Mporokoso Mpulungu Mungwi Nsama Northwestern Province Chavuma Ikelenge Kabompo Kasempa Mufumbwe Mwinilunga Solwezi Zambezi Southern Province Chikankata Choma Gwembe Kalomo Kazungula Livingstone Mazabuka Monze Namwala Pemba Siavonga Sinazongwe Zimba Western Province Kalabo Kaoma Lukulu Mongu Mulobezi Senanga Sesheke Shangombo

Coordinates: 11°00′S 29°00′E / 11.000°S 29.000°E / -11.000; 29.000