Southern Province, Administrative province in southern Zambia
Southern Province stretches along the Zambezi River and includes the Southern Plateau, Lake Kariba, and sections of Kafue National Park across more than 68,000 square kilometers. The terrain features river valleys, expansive water bodies, and savanna landscapes that define the region's character.
After Zambia's independence in 1964, the province underwent administrative reorganization. The capital relocated from Livingstone to Choma in 2011, reflecting a shift of the regional center northward.
The Batonga people form the largest ethnic group here, maintaining their traditions through festivals like Lwiindi Gonde and Musumu Muyumu. Visitors can observe these cultural expressions in communities throughout the region.
The main transportation routes consist of a railway line and the Lusaka-Livingstone road, linking major towns including Kalomo, Choma, Pemba, Monze, and Mazabuka. Travel is easier outside the rainy season when road conditions are more stable.
The Maamba coal mine in the Zambezi valley is Zambia's only substantial coal source and operates with a dedicated railway branch. This industrial site marks a rare form of mining infrastructure in the region.
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