Transport in Zambia

摘要

The Benguela Railway, ran from the Angolan coastal port of Lobito through to Zambia. From its opening in 1929, it was an important arterial route for trade. There are 840 miles (1344 kilometres) of track, running from the Atlantic port of Lobito to Luau on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then it ran through the Congo from Dilolo and Kolwezi to Lumbumbashi (Leopoldville was the colonial name) and then on to Zambia via the border at Sakania. It was once an important trading link for Angola's natural commodities of maize, wheat, cotton coffee, cotton, sugar and cattle. It also opened up a vital copper trade route for landlocked Zambia and the copper mines of Katanga in the Congo. The building of this railway, saved 300 miles (480 kilometres) by rail, and 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometres) by sea on any journey from Katanga and Zambia to Europe, via Rhodesia.