Mpika

Mpika is a district located in the Muchinga Province of Zambia, established in 1901. Initially a vast area of 41,000 square kilometers, its size was redefined to 17,166.67 square kilometers in 2017 following the creation of Kanchibiya and Lavushimanda districts. The district is approximately 647 kilometers from Zambia's capital, Lusaka, and 177.7 kilometers from Chinsali, the provincial headquarters of Muchinga Province. Geographically, Mpika District lies between Latitude 11°49'40.8828''S and Longitude 31°27'4.7880''E. The town center is situated at the intersection of the M1 road and the Tanzam Highway (Great North Road), positioned between the Muchinga Escarpment to the east and extensive miombo plains to the west. It shares borders with Lavushimanda, Shiwang'andu, Kanchibiya, Chama, Lundazi, and Mambwe districts.The district is rich in natural resources, featuring numerous perennial streams and rivers such as Lwitikila, Lufila, and Kapamba, the latter of which boasts Kapamba Falls, a year-round waterfall with potential for both hydroelectric power and tourism. Mpika is also home to the historically significant Nachikufu Caves in the Mukonteka area, which contain ancient rock paintings left by early bushmen settlers. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate.Economically, Mpika's primary activity is farming, with small-scale farmers cultivating maize, cassava, sorghum, sweet potatoes, millet, and citrus fruits, alongside rearing cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, and poultry. The district also holds significant investment potential in various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, and mining, with traced minerals such as lime, gypsum, quartz, manganese, gold, and gemstones. Tourism is a growing sector, benefiting from the district's proximity to both North and South Luangwa National Parks, which offer opportunities for game viewing, hunting, and photographic safaris. The district is well-connected by road, railway (TAZARA Railway headquarters for the Northern Region), and an airstrip located about 7 km from the District Administration.