Muchinga Province is one of the 10 provinces in Zambia. The province was created in 2011 after detaching it from mother province– Northern Province. The province is named after Muchinga Escarpment on which the province predominantly sits. Muchinga Province is in the northeast of Zambia. The province covers a surface area of about 87,806 square kilometres, sharing its borders with Luapula Province in the west, Northern Province in the northwest, Eastern Province in the east and Central Province in the southwest. It also shares international boundaries with Tanzania in the north and Malawi in the east
The province is headed by a Provincial Minister appointed by the President, as the political head of the province. The administrative head of the province is the Permanent Secretary, who is also appointed by the President. Muchinga Province is divided into 9 districts, namely, Chama District, Chinsali District, Isoka District, Mafinga District, Mpika District, Nakonde District, Shiwang’andu District, Lavushimanda District and Kanchibiya District. Chinsali is the capital for the province, serving as an administrative centre of the province. According to Zambia Statistical Agency (ZAMSTATS), in 2015, the province had a population of about 895,058 with 455,498 females, representing 50.89% and 439,560 males representing 49.11% of the total population.
Predominantly, the economy of Muchinga Province is based on subsistence farming and trading. The agriculture activities are divided into the four common categories of field crops cultivation, hot culture crops cultivation, vegetable production and livestock rearing. The primary livestock in the province are cattle, goats, pigs, sheep and poultry, which are reared at both peasant and commercial level. The major crops grown in the province are maize, cassava, groundnuts, beans and potatoes, millet and citrus fruits. There is also increased rice cultivation in districts like Kanchibiya. The district is characterized by abundant perennial streams and Bangweulu wetlands suitable for rice production. The Lavushimanda National Park, North Luangwa National Park, and South Luangwa National Park. (The latter is shared with Eastern and Central Provinces) are among the key tourist attractions in the province
Traditionally, the province is governed by Chiefs, which include Senior Chief Kopa, Senior Chief Nkula, Chief Chibesakunda Chief Mukwikile, Chief Kabinga, Chief Katyetye, Chief Muyombe Chieftainess Waitwaka, etc. The most predominantly spoken language is Bemba. Other languages spoken in the province include Lungu, Namwanga, Mambwe, Nyika, and Bisa.