Western Province, Zambia

Western Province is a province in the west of the Republic of Zambia, bordering Angola and Namibia. Its original name was Barotseland because of the kingdom of Barotse. The province has a population of 902,974 (2010 census) and covers 126,386 km². It is the original settlement area of the Rotse (Lozi).

Barotseland unilaterally declared independence on 26 March 2012, saying the new government of Zambia had failed to honour the 1964 autonomy agreement.

Barotseland is the least developed region in Zambia. There are only two paved roads there. One leads from Lusaka, the other from Livingstone to the provincial capital Mongu and from there to Sesheke to the Zambezi Bridge. The region has certain autonomy rights. There are political aspirations of the royal family for complete independence from Zambia.

Except for the Kaoma district, this province consists of Kalahari sandlands, river floodplains and pastures. Here are the largest herds in Zambia. Once a year, parts of them are driven to Mongu for sale. Arable farming is based on maize rather than rice, which leads to crop failures every year due to flooding. Grain yields never reach the level of consumption. Hunger is therefore endemic in this province. Subsistence farming without irrigation is predominant.

With less than four people per square kilometre, the province is very sparsely populated. The number of hospitals and schools is correspondingly low and not comprehensive. Outside Mongu, none of these facilities are up to the average level in Zambia. Similarly, outside Mongu, there is neither electricity and telephone nor drinking water supply and sanitation. The road network is poor with extremely difficult sandy passages to negotiate. The Luena floodplains between Mongu and Lukulu on the left side of the Zambezi River are feared for their deep sandiness. Here the river Luena seeps away.

Tourist attractions in the province are the Liuwa-Plain National Park near Kalabo, which is difficult to reach, and the Sioma-Ngweizi National Park near Shangombo, which is equally difficult to reach. Both national parks are without any infrastructure and tourist facilities.

Districts

• Kalabo
• Kaoma
• Lukulu
• Mongu
• Senanga
• Sesheke
• Shangombo

Districts of the Western Province