List of Zambia Provinces and Capitals

Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026

Zambia is divided into 10 provinces. Here is a list of the provinces of Zambia:

Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa bordered by Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country is divided into 10 provinces for administration and regional governance. Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia, serving as the country’s political, economic, and transportation center.

Zambia includes high plateaus, river valleys, wetlands, forests, and major river systems including the Zambezi and Congo basins. Different provinces are known for copper mining, agriculture, hydroelectric power, tourism, livestock farming, and wildlife conservation, while Zambia’s cultural traditions reflect the heritage of many Bantu-speaking ethnic communities.

Key Facts

National capital: Lusaka | Total population: 21,200,000 (2024 Estimate) | Total area: 752,618 km² (290,587 sq miles) | Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) | Bordering countries: Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo | Total Provinces: 10 | Total Districts: 110+

List of Provinces and Capitals of Zambia

Total administrative divisions shown: 10 | Combined population: 21,200,000 | Combined area: 752,618 km²

#	Province Name	Provincial Capital	Geographic Region	Area (km²)	Population (2024 Estimate)
1	Central Province	Kabwe	Central Plateau Region	94,394	1,850,000
2	Copperbelt Province	Ndola	Northern Mining Belt	31,328	3,200,000
3	Eastern Province	Chipata	Eastern Agricultural Region	69,106	2,150,000
4	Luapula Province	Mansa	Northern Lake Region	50,567	1,350,000
5	Lusaka Province	Lusaka	Capital Region	21,896	3,800,000
6	Muchinga Province	Chinsali	Northeastern Highlands	87,806	1,250,000
7	Northern Province	Kasama	Northern Plateau Region	77,650	1,600,000
8	North-Western Province	Solwezi	Western Mining Region	125,826	1,200,000
9	Southern Province	Choma	Southern Zambezi Region	85,283	2,050,000
10	Western Province	Mongu	Western Floodplain Region	108,762	750,000

Largest Provinces by Area

North-Western Province - 48,582 sq mi (125,826 km²)
Western Province - 41,993 sq mi (108,762 km²)
Central Province - 36,446 sq mi (94,394 km²)
Muchinga Province - 33,902 sq mi (87,806 km²)
Southern Province - 32,928 sq mi (85,283 km²)
Northern Province - 29,981 sq mi (77,650 km²)
Eastern Province - 26,682 sq mi (69,106 km²)
Luapula Province - 19,524 sq mi (50,567 km²)

Most Populous Provinces

Lusaka Province - Population: 3,800,000 (2024 Estimate)
Copperbelt Province - Population: 3,200,000 (2024 Estimate)
Eastern Province - Population: 2,150,000 (2024 Estimate)
Southern Province - Population: 2,050,000 (2024 Estimate)
Central Province - Population: 1,850,000 (2024 Estimate)
Northern Province - Population: 1,600,000 (2024 Estimate)
Luapula Province - Population: 1,350,000 (2024 Estimate)
Muchinga Province - Population: 1,250,000 (2024 Estimate)

Smallest Provinces by Area

Lusaka Province - 8,454 sq mi (21,896 km²)
Copperbelt Province - 12,096 sq mi (31,328 km²)
Luapula Province - 19,524 sq mi (50,567 km²)
Eastern Province - 26,682 sq mi (69,106 km²)
Northern Province - 29,981 sq mi (77,650 km²)
Southern Province - 32,928 sq mi (85,283 km²)

Provinces by Geographic Grouping

Capital Region: Lusaka Province
Central Plateau Region: Central Province
Eastern Agricultural Region: Eastern Province
Northern Lake Region: Luapula Province
Northern Mining Belt: Copperbelt Province
Northern Plateau Region: Northern Province
Northeastern Highlands: Muchinga Province
Southern Zambezi Region: Southern Province
Western Floodplain Region: Western Province
Western Mining Region: North-Western Province

Landlocked Provinces

Central Province
Copperbelt Province
Eastern Province
Luapula Province
Lusaka Province
Muchinga Province
Northern Province
North-Western Province
Southern Province
Western Province

Provinces Sharing an International Border

Copperbelt Province - borders Democratic Republic of the Congo
Eastern Province - borders Malawi and Mozambique
Luapula Province - borders Democratic Republic of the Congo
Muchinga Province - borders Tanzania
Northern Province - borders Tanzania
North-Western Province - borders Angola and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Southern Province - borders Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia
Western Province - borders Angola and Namibia

Major Economic Activities by Province

Province	Main Economic Activity	Known For
Copperbelt Province	Copper mining and industry	Major mining cities and export economy
Lusaka Province	Government and commerce	Capital city and financial services
Southern Province	Agriculture and tourism	Victoria Falls access and cattle farming
North-Western Province	Mining and forestry	Copper and emerald mining
Eastern Province	Agriculture	Maize, cotton, and tobacco farming
Western Province	Fishing and livestock	Barotse Floodplain and cattle rearing

Important Natural and Cultural Areas

Victoria Falls: Southern Province
South Luangwa National Park: Eastern Province
Kafue National Park: Central Province
Bangweulu Wetlands: Luapula Province
Liuwa Plain National Park: Western Province
Kasanka National Park: Central Province

Sources

World Countries and Capitals

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