North-Western | |
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Province | |
Map of Zambia showing the North-Western Province |
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Country | Zambia |
Capital | Solwezi |
Area | |
• Total | 125,826 km2 (48,582 sq mi) |
Population (2015) | |
• Total | 833,818 |
• Density | 6.6/km2 (17/sq mi) |
North-Western Province is one of ten Provinces of Zambia. It covers an area of 125,826 km2 (48,582 sq mi), has a population of 727,044 and a population density was 5.80 per square kilometre as of 2010. It is the most sparsely populated province in the country. The provincial capital is Solwezi. The literacy rate stood at 63 per cent against a national average of 70.2 per cent. The rural population constituted 77.45%, while the urban population was 22.55%. North-Western Province is bordered along Angola in the west, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in the north, Copperbelt Province in the southeast, Central in the south, Western Province in the west and Eastern Province in the north east.
Agriculture was the major profession and Sorghum was the major crop in the province with 1,038 metric tonnes, constituting 8.98% of the national output. The unemployment rate was 14 per cent and the general unemployment rate for youth stood at 31 per cent as of 2008. Zambezi Airport and Solwezi Airport are the only two airports in the province.
Busanga Swamps and plains in Kafue National Park, West Lunga National Park and Zambezi grasslands in the far west of the state are the major national parks in the Province. The Kufukwila festival celebrated in Solwezi District by Kaonde tribe during May, Insakwa yaba Kaonde festival celebrated in Solwezi District by Kaonde tribe during May and Nsomo festival celebrated in Kasempa District by Kaonde tribe during June are the major festivals of the province.
North-Western Province is bordered along Angola in the west, DR Congo in the north, Copperbelt Province in the southeast, Central in the south, Western Province in the west and Eastern Province in the north east. The general topography of the province is characterized by uplifted plantation surfaces. The general elevation of the nation as a whole is tended towards West to East from the Kalahari Basin. The level of land falls from the upper Congo towards the Zambezi depression in the South forming a plateau.