With a land mass of 51,000 square kilometres, the province has a population of 784,613. A large proportion of the province, which has two big lakes, is covered by water mostly from the Bangweulu swamps and dambos.

Besides the two lakes, the province also has two water falls.The province has a lot of unexploited tourism and agricultural potential. Foreign investors in the field of tourism have been attracted, especially by the beach on Lake Bangweulu in the district of Samfya. Yet another beach lies completely unutilised on the shores of lake Mweru in Nhcelenge.

The Bangweulu Game Management are is home to over 20,000 black letchews in Samfya District.

The main activities of the population in this province are fishing and farming. The fish industry is growing on Lake Mweru while fish farming also goes on at subsistence level. The province, popularly known for its cassava production has also diversified into maize growing. Other crops include millet, tobacco and groundnuts.

The largest banana plantation is also found in Luapula province, though it needs an injection of capital to be revived.

Government has embarked on electrification of the districts in the province, which is attracting investors in the fishing industry and some are embarking on commercial farming.