This town of nearly 45,000 was named after the famed English explorer, Dr. David Livingstone, who travelled much of the area. Because it is only seven miles north of the Falls, Livingstone has become known as the Tourist capital of Zambia. It is also the capital of Southern Province.
A wide range of comfortable accomodation is available in Livingstone, from the de luxe Musi-o-Tunya Hotel to chlaets, a motel, rest camps, and caravan and camping sites.
A large infusion of cash from the British government to Zambia at independence was partially used in Livingstone. In the 1970s, Livingstone suffered economic decline due in part to re-nationalisation of industries and in part to closure of the border with Rhodesia, first by the Zambian government and later by the Rhodesian authorities.