Definition

Proper noun: - A former name for the Republic of Zambia, a landlocked country in central Africa. It was a British protectorate from 1924 until it gained independence in 1964, at which point it was renamed Zambia.

Usage

• Historical Context: The term 'Northern Rhodesia' is used primarily in historical contexts to refer to the territory during the period of British administration.
  • The colonial administration in Northern Rhodesia was based in Livingstone.
  • Copper mining was the economic backbone of Northern Rhodesia.

Advanced Usage

• The name 'Northern Rhodesia' derives from Cecil Rhodes, the British colonial administrator. The southern part of the region was known as Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
• It is often used in contrast with 'Southern Rhodesia' when discussing the history of central Africa.
  • The federation of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland was dissolved in 1963.

Variants and Related Words

• Zambia (Proper noun): The current and official name of the country since independence.
  • Lusaka is the capital of Zambia.
• Rhodesia (Proper noun, historical): A general term historically referring to regions named after Cecil Rhodes, primarily Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia.

Synonyms

• Protectorate of Northern Rhodesia: The official colonial name.
• Zambia (pre-independence): Used to specify the territory before 1964.

Related Phrases

• Move to independence: A common phrase describing the transition of Northern Rhodesia to Zambia.
  • Northern Rhodesia's move to independence was achieved with relatively little bloodshed compared to other African nations.

Noun

1. a republic in central Africa; formerly controlled by Great Britain and called Northern Rhodesia until it gained independence within the commonwealth in 1964