This is the 23rd week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information about the country as inspiration for the card I make.
This week's country is...
Zambia
Zambia is a completely landlocked country in South Africa. It is surrounded by seven countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The terrain of Zambia is mostly high plateau, with some hills and mountains.
One third of the country is made up of national parks.
Victoria Falls which is shared with Zimbabwe is twice the height of Niagara Falls.
The Zambian forest beside the Victoria Falls receives "rain" 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
Devil's Pool is the naturally formed "armchair" near the edge of the falls on Livingstone Island on the Zambian side. When the river flow is at a certain level, usually between September and December, a rock barrier forms an eddy with minimal current, allowing swimmers to hang out in relative safety a few from the point where the water cascades over the falls.
All of Africa’s Big Five can be found in Zambia including lions, rhinos and elephants. South Luangwa National Park is a protection area for these animals.
Zambia is one of the world’s poorest countries and poor living conditions. An estimated 60.5% of the population live below the poverty line.
The terrain of Zambia is mostly high plateau, with some hills and mountains.
One third of the country is made up of national parks.
The Zambian forest beside the Victoria Falls receives "rain" 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
All of Africa’s Big Five can be found in Zambia including lions, rhinos and elephants. South Luangwa National Park is a protection area for these animals.
Zambia is one of the world’s poorest countries and poor living conditions. An estimated 60.5% of the population live below the poverty line.
The Zambian economy has historically been based on the copper mining industry. Zambia is one of the top ten producers of copper.
Agriculture plays a very important part in Zambia’s economy providing many more jobs than the mining industry.
Lake Karimba is a manmade lake that lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is the largest man-made lake by volume in the world. Its massive size is able fool visitors to the area into thinking that they are looking at the ocean. It is so large that it has it has its own islands.
In Zambia, men and women do practically nothing together; no mixed-gender activity. It is usually men doing their own and women doing their own. Here is a weird example: If a woman jumped into a swimming pool filled with men, for example, it is most likely that all the men would scramble out of the pool.
Greeting usually encompasses a handshake and the questions “How are you?” and “How did you leave your family?” or “How was your journey?” Do not try to hug or kiss a Zambian, especially since you are a total “stranger.” You would just embarrass him.
Gifts are often offered to a visitor as a sign of honor, friendship and gratitude. One should never refuse a gift and accept it with both hands at the same time expressing thanks.
When offered any food in Zambia, the guest should not ask what the recipe is. The question would come to them as if you doubt their ability to cook well.
It is considered rude to accept anything with the left hand, even if left-handed.
When you finish eating in a Zambian home, it is bad manners to literally clean off your plate. It is advised to leave a small amount on the plate. This small amount is for the kids who will clear the plates to eat while hidden away in the kitchen.
Lusaka is the capital and biggest city of Zambia. Its population is approximately 1.5 million people, yet its phone book is not even 1" thick.
Funerals are a major event, with family members coming from vast distances to attend. A funeral may last for many days, with the men outside drinking and talking, and women inside crying.
I decided to let this Zambia fact be the inspiration for this week's card... Zambia was colonized by the British under independence in 1964, and one of the things that they left behind was their love of afternoon tea. In Zambia, 4pm tea is called ’16 hours’ and usually consists of tea with fritters (round doughballs which are fried in hot oil), bread or biscuits.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Stamp Sets: Unity Cup of Tea and Your Next Stamp Sprinkles Coffee & Tea stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers
Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Rose Red CS, SU Doily, and DP from my Scrap File
Embellishments: Cup and Spoon Brads from unknown vendors
Agriculture plays a very important part in Zambia’s economy providing many more jobs than the mining industry.
In Zambia, men and women do practically nothing together; no mixed-gender activity. It is usually men doing their own and women doing their own. Here is a weird example: If a woman jumped into a swimming pool filled with men, for example, it is most likely that all the men would scramble out of the pool.
Greeting usually encompasses a handshake and the questions “How are you?” and “How did you leave your family?” or “How was your journey?” Do not try to hug or kiss a Zambian, especially since you are a total “stranger.” You would just embarrass him.
Gifts are often offered to a visitor as a sign of honor, friendship and gratitude. One should never refuse a gift and accept it with both hands at the same time expressing thanks.
When offered any food in Zambia, the guest should not ask what the recipe is. The question would come to them as if you doubt their ability to cook well.
It is considered rude to accept anything with the left hand, even if left-handed.
When you finish eating in a Zambian home, it is bad manners to literally clean off your plate. It is advised to leave a small amount on the plate. This small amount is for the kids who will clear the plates to eat while hidden away in the kitchen.
Funerals are a major event, with family members coming from vast distances to attend. A funeral may last for many days, with the men outside drinking and talking, and women inside crying.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Rose Red CS, SU Doily, and DP from my Scrap File
Embellishments: Cup and Spoon Brads from unknown vendors
2 comments:
Fabulous cllection of facts once again Jeanette - and a sweet card!
Blessings
Maxine
I drink two beverages - coffee and tea!! Thanks for these fun facts about Zambia!
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