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___ Malawi


Mount Mulanje Malawi
Mount Mulanje, part of the Mulanje Massif in southern Malawi is the country's highest point. In foreground a tea plantation.
Image: David Davies
 
Malawi Flag
Flag of Malawi
Location map of Malawi. Where in Africa is Malawi?
Location map of Malawi

Destination Malawi, a landlocked, long stretched country in southeastern Africa in the Great Rift Valley on the western shore of Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi), the most southerly lake in the Great African Rift Valley system. Malawi shares international borders with Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique.

The country covers an area of 118,484 km², making it slightly larger than Bulgaria or slightly smaller than Pennsylvania.
The nation is divided in three main regions: Northern, Central and Southern. There are also three different geographical regions, the Rift Valley, the Central African Plateau, and the Highlands. Largest river in Malawi is the Shire river, the only outlet of Lake Malawi. Highest mountain is Mount Mulanje at 3,002 m (9,849 ft) .

Malawi is one of the world's most densely populated nations with a population of 15.8 million people (in 2014). Capital city is Lilongwe. Spoken languages are English and Nyanja (both official).
 

Republic of Malawi


Country Profile



Background:
Malawi's predominantly rural population is comprised of various tribes that migrated from other parts of Africa. According to its gross national income (GNI) the Republic of Malawi is the poorest country in Africa, its economy is agro-based. There is a small tourism sector which is being primed for growth.
The former British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. First democratic multi-party elections were held in 1994, after three decades of one-party rule. A provisional constitution, took full effect in 1995. In the 2004 elections the UDF party was voted in again for the third time since 1994.

related countries: United Kingdom

 

Official Name:
Republic of Malawi
short form: Malawi
former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland.

ISO Country Code: mw

Actual Time: Sun-Mar-17  23:25
Local Time = UTC +2h

Country Calling Code: +265

Capital City: Lilongwe (pop. 600 000)

Other Cities: Blantyre (the country's commercial capital), Zomba, Mzuzu

Government:
Type: multi-party democracy.
Independence: July 6, 1964.
Constitution: May 18, 1995.

Geography:
Location: Southeastern Africa
Area: 118,484 sq. km. (45,747 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Plateaus, highlands, and valleys. Lake Malawi (formerly referred to as Lake Nyasa) comprises about 20% of total area.

Climate: Predominately sub-tropical; two main seasons, cold-dry and hot-wet. The hot-wet season is from November to April.

People:
Nationality: Malawian(s)
Population: 15.8 million (2014)
GNI per capita PPP: $ 596 (year)
Ethnic groups: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European.
Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 3%, other 2%.
Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), regional dialects, i.e., Chitumbuka, Chiyao, Chilomwe.
Literacy: total population 58%.

Natural resources: Limestone, uranium (potential), coal, bauxite, phosphates, graphite, granite, black granite, aquamarine, tourmaline, rubies, sapphires, rare earths.

Agriculture products: Tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats.

Industries: Tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods.

Exports - commodities: tobacco 55%, dried legumes (8.8%), sugar (6.7%), tea (5.7%), cotton (2%), peanuts, coffee, and soy (2015 est.)

Exports - partners: Belgium 15.8%, Zimbabwe 12%, India 6.9%, South Africa 6.2%, USA 6%, Russia 5.6%, Germany 4.6% (2015)

Imports - commodities: food, petroleum products, semi-manufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment

Imports - partners: South Africa 26.4%, China 16.7%, India 12%, Zambia 10.3%, Tanzania 6% (2015)

Currency: Kwacha (MWK)
 
Malawi's Parliament Building in Lilongwe
Malawi's Parliament Building in Lilongwe.
Image: Christoph Loeffler

Political system
Malawi is a presidential representative democratic republic with a multi-party system since 1995. Head of state and head of government is the President, he appoints the cabinet, and is in charge of executory tasks. Malawi's unicameral parliament is elected by plurality vote every 5 years. The Supreme Court of Appeal is the highest court in the country.


Official Sites of Malawi

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Government of the Republic of Malawi
Official government home page.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation
Responsible for the foreign policy of the Government.


Statistics
The National Statistical Office of Malawi
Malawi in figures.

Weather
Malawi Meteorological Services
Malawi weather data.



Maps

profile Map of Malawi
Political Map of Malawi.
profile Administrative Map of Malawi
Map shows Malawi's administrative regions and districts.
Google Earth Google Earth Malawi
Searchable satellite view of Malawi.
Google Earth Google Earth Lilongwe
Searchable satellite view of Malawi's capital city.

Political Map of Africa
The 54 countries of Africa, and the location of 54 capital cities.
Map of Africa
A Relief Map of Africa.


News

According to US based Freedom House, Malawi's government has used libel and other laws to put pressure on newspaper journalists. Self-censorship is common, particularly at state-run outlets.

Malawi Star
Malawi News online.
The Nation
Malawi News.
Nyasatimes
Malawi online news.
The Times
Malawi Times online news.

Other news sources:
allAfrica.com Malawi
Regional Malawi news provided by allAfrica.com

Radio
Capital FM Malawi
Malawi radio station, provides news headlines.
 


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Business & Economy

The country ranks among the world's least developed and as one of the poorest nations, about 90% of the population lives in rural areas. Malawi's economy is based predominantly on subsistence agriculture and mall-scale fisheries. Agriculture accounts for 27% of GDP and about 90% of its export revenue. Top exports are raw tobacco (55%), dried legumes, raw sugar, tea and raw cotton.

Reserve Bank of Malawi
The Reserve Bank of Malawi is the central bank of the Republic of Malawi and the national banking regulator.
National Bank of Malawi
One of the eleven banks in the country licensed by the Reserve Bank of Malawi.

__Transportation

Malawian Airlines
Malawian Airlines is the new flag carrier airline of Malawi, since Air Malawi ceased operations in February 2013.

Dogout Canoe
Lake Malawi - Fishing with Dogout Canoe
Beach at Lake Malawi
Beach at Lake Malawi, Africa's third largest lake.
Image: khym54

Travel and Tour Consumer Information


Destination Malawi - Travel and Tour Guides

Discover Malawi:
Lilongwe, Blantyre, Kasungu, Kasungu National Park, Majete wildlife reserve, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Lake Malawi, Lake Malawi National Park.

Find accommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, tours and much more.

Visit Malawi
Official Malawi Tourism Website.

Malawi Tourism
Comprehensive Malawi information by members of Malawi's travel and tourism industry.


MALAWI - The Warm Heart of Africa
Malawi's Tourism related information.


 
Mulanje waterfall
Mulanje waterfall.
Image: Janna7

Malawi chiefs chairs
Malawi chiefs chairs.
Boys of the waYao tribe participating in circumcision
Boys of the waYao tribe participating in circumcision and initiation rites.
Image: Steve Evans

Education


Chancellor College
Largest of the constituent colleges of the University of Malawi, located in Zomba.
Phoenix Primary School
International School, Blantyre.
Saint Andrews Primary School
International Primary School.
University of Malawi
Home page of the University of Malawi.
 
 Malawian kids
Malawian kids 


kids of Malawi
More kids of Malawi
Image: Lars Plougmann

African Skimmers at Lake Malawi
African Skimmers at Shire river, hippo below surface.
Image: Skip Russell

Environment & Nature


The Cichlid Fishes of Lake Malawi
Site devoted to the largest lake-fish fauna and the largest vertebrate species flock on earth.
National Parks & Game Reserves
Malawi's natural heritage.
 
 

History


History of Malawi
Brief History of Malwi by the Embassy of Malawi in Cairo.

??Malawi History
Brief History of Malwi by Africanet.
 
 

Sources and additional Information on Malawi


Africa South of the Sahara: Malawi
Karen Fung's collection of Malawi related resources.

African Studies Center - University of Pennsylvania: Malawi Page

Amnesty International: Malawi

BBC Country Profile: Malawi

The Commonwealth: Malawi

FAO: Malawi

GlobalEDGE: Malawi

The Heritage Foundation: Malawi


Human Rights Watch: Malawi

OEC: Malawi

Reporters Without Borders: Malawi

Wikipedia: Malawi

The World Factbook -- Malawi
 
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