Solwezi, Zambia

Capital City

Living in this rough-and-tumble mining town means dealing with underdeveloped infrastructure and unpaved streets - only Independence Road has an actual name. The population of 23,435 (as of 1990) has swelled dramatically due to copper mining operations, but urban development hasn't kept pace with the growth. The wet season brings heavy rains from November to March, while the dry season sees minimal precipitation.

This copper mining hub sits at nearly 4,600 feet elevation in Zambia's North-Western Province. Three major mines operate in the area: Kansanshi, Lumwana, and Kalumbila, extracting copper, cobalt, gold and uranium. The Kaonde people form the largest tribal group, with historical ties to early copper mining dating back to the Iron Age. Despite the mineral wealth flowing through the region, basic urban amenities remain limited, creating a stark contrast between industrial development and quality of life for residents.