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ZAMBIA - ATLAS OF OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
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Zambia’s rainy season stretches from October to
March. The average annual rainfall has fluctuated
over the past 30 years. The lowest annual average
rainfall ranged from 539.6 mm to 747.7 mm for
the period between 1976 and 2005, whereas the
highest was recorded in the period between 1950
and 1979 ranging from 1,291.9 mm to 1,425.4 mm.
Figure 2.4 Rainfall patterns by agro-ecological region
Environmental Council of Zambia, 2008
Rainfall
Region I (Less than 800mm)
Region IIa ( 800 - 1000mm)
Region IIb ( 800 - 1000mm)
Region III ( Above 1000mm)
TANZANIA
MALAWI
MOZAMBIQUE
ZIMBABWE
BOTSWANA
ANGOLA
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
NAMIBIA
Generally, the northern region of Zambia receives
above average rainfall while the southern part
receives below average rainfall. Figure 2.4 shows
the average rainfall patterns based on the agro-
ecological regions (ZMD, 2011), while in Figures 2.5
and 2.6 a trend is shown whereby rainfall amounts
are progressively falling in the southern regions of
the country.