Malawi Description and Details: Click Here

Physical. Malawi, located in Southern Africa east of Zambia, is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania. Its highly tropical climate features a rainy season from November to May and a dry season from May to November. Its terrain includes a narrow elongated plateau, rolling plains and some mountains. The eastern/central area of the country is dominated by Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa. Natural resources include limestone, arable land, hydropower, uranium, coal, and bauxite. Malawi is a landlocked country located in southeastern Africa. It is bordered in the North and East by Tanzania, on the east, south and southwest by Mozambique and to the west by Zambia. The country lies within the Great African Rift Valley system. Lake Malawi, a body of water some 360 miles long and about 1,500 ft above sea level, is its most prominent physical feature. Much of the land surface is plateau between 900 to 1,220 m (3,000 to 4,000 ft) above sea level. Elevations rise of over 2,440 m (8,000 ft) in the Nyika Plateau in the north and in the regions of Mt. Mulanje 3,050 m (10,000 ft) and Mt. Zomba 2,135 m (7,000 ft). The Shire highlands in the south are lower with elevations from 610 m (2,000 ft) to 900 m (3,000 ft). To the north there are rugged highlands with rolling hills in the Nyika and Vwanza plateaux, whilst in the South, traversing the escarpment that forms part of the Great African Rift Valley, lie the lowlands of the Shire Valley. Lake Malawi is the county's centerpiece. Like an inland sea it has endless palm fringed beaches, enclosed by sheer mountains, making it undeniably the focal point for Malawi's tourists. Malawi is a landlocked country located in southeastern Africa. It is bordered in the North and East by Tanzania, on the east, south and southwest by Mozambique and to the west by Zambia.

Climate. The variable altitude of Malawi provides wide differences in climate. The lowest point is where the Shire Valley approaches its confluence with the Zambezi River, at about 100 ft above sea level. The vast water surface of Lake Malawi also profoundly affects the climate. The margins of the lake have long hot seasons and high humidity, with mean annual temperatures of 24°C (75°F). The temperature generally decreases and the rainfall increases with altitude. Malawi is noted for its rapid transitions from low to high rainfall. Trade winds and cool maritime air bring clouds and drizzly rain to the mountains in the east which rise to over 1,830 m (6,000 ft). The tea belt profits from both winter and summer rains, and the high plateau area offers opportunities for afforestation because of heavy rainfall. Winters are cool, with occasional spells of cold weather. In general, the seasons may be divided into the cool (May to mid-August); the hot (mid August to November); the rainy (November to April), with rains continuing longer in the northern and eastern mountains, and the post-rainy (April-May), with temperatures falling in May. Zomba has extreme temperatures of 35°C and 7°C (95°F and 45°F) and considerable rainfall. Lilongwe, in central Malawi, at an elevation of 1,036 (3,400 ft) has a moderately warm climate with adequate rainfall and extreme temperatures of 36°C and -3.4°C (97°F and 26°F) The ultra-violet rays are very strong in Malawi and burn times very short - great care should be taken

History. Some evidence of Stone Age and later Iron Age settlements has been found around Lake Malawi. Bantu peoples moved into the territory in the 1st millennium ad. By the 16th century a Malawi kingdom, from which the present name of the country is derived, had a prospering trade with the coastal areas of Mozambique. Jesuit missionaries from Portugal visited the territory near Lake Malawi as early as the 17th century, but the lake probably was not known to Europeans until Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone reached its shores in 1859. European involvement began in 1875 and 1876, when Scottish church missions were established; a British consul was stationed in the country in 1883. Subsequent warfare with Arab slave traders and fear of Portuguese expansion from Mozambique led to a mission by British explorer and colonial official Harry Johnston, who negotiated treaties with the indigenous rulers. In 1891 the treaties resulted in a formal declaration of a British protectorate, called the Nyasaland Districts Protectorate. Beginning in 1893, it was known as the British Central Africa Protectorate, and in 1907 the area was officially designated the Nyasaland Protectorate. In 1915 John Chilembwe, an African preacher, staged a short, bloody uprising in response to the treatment of Africans by British colonists. The uprising is considered a forerunner of later nationalist movements. After World War II (1939-1945), nationalist movements gained strength. From 1953 the protectorate was joined for ten years in a federation with Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe), called the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. However, this federation was heavily opposed by nationalists who advocated political freedom from British rule. Following the federation’s dissolution in 1963, Nyasaland achieved internal self-government, with Hastings Kamuzu Banda, leader of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), as the first prime minister. The protectorate gained independence on July 6, 1964, under its new name, Malawi. It was declared a republic on July 6, 1966, and Prime Minister Banda was elected president by the National Assembly. Under the Banda regime Malawi embarked on a vigorous program of economic development. In international affairs Banda held to a firm policy of neutrality in the dispute between the United Kingdom and the government of Rhodesia (known as Southern Rhodesia before 1964), maintaining extensive trade relations with Rhodesia’s rebellious white minority government. He also continued friendly relations with Mozambique (until 1975 governed by Portugal) and in 1967 signed a trade pact with South Africa. In November 1970 the constitution of Malawi was amended to make Banda president for life, effective the following year. Maintaining good relations with then white-dominated South Africa, he became the first black African head of state to visit that country. His policy of cordiality toward South Africa brought serious criticism from the leaders of other black African countries, and the influence Banda could exert on continental affairs was minimal. The first parliamentary elections since independence were held in 1978. Although only the MCP participated, a majority of the incumbent members were defeated; participation in the 1983, 1987, and 1992 elections was also restricted to the MCP. Malawi’s economy performed sluggishly in the early 1990s, burdened by foreign debt and by an influx of Mozambican refugees. Meanwhile, Banda faced rising domestic discontent and international criticism of his human rights record. Change swept through the government in May 1994, as a new constitution was approved, followed by Malawi’s first multiparty elections. Bakili Muluzi, the leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and a former federal cabinet member, defeated Banda for the presidency and formed a UDF-dominated government. In keeping with the new constitution, which established a human rights commission, Muluzi freed political prisoners and closed three prisons where tortures were reputed to have taken place. In June 1999 presidential and legislative elections, Muluzi was reelected but the UDF failed to secure a majority in the National Assembly, winning just less than half the total seats. Muluzi stepped down in May 2004 after two terms in office, and voters elected Bingu wa Mutharika of the UDF as Malawi’s next president.

People. More than 10.7 million people reside in Malawi. Inhabitants recognize both English and Chichewa as their official languages, with other languages used regionally. Ethnic groups include Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbako, Yao, Lumwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, and Ngonde, with small Asian and European populations as well. The major religions in Malawi are: Protestant (55%), Roman Catholic (20%), and Muslim (20%) with the remainder of people engaging in traditional indigenous customs. Malawi is often called the "warm heart of Africa." because of the warms and friendliness of the people. Malawians typically live with their extended families in huts that are grouped together in villages. A spirit of cooperation prevails as family members share both work and resources. Malawi has a population of about 10,000,416 (July 1999 est.), with 90% of the population living in the rural areas, and population growth rate of 1.57% (1999 est.). The Malawi people are of Bantu origin with the ethnic groups including Chewa, Nyanja, Yao, Tumbuka, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian and European. The Chichewa (Chewa) people forming the largest part of population group and are largely in the central and southern parts of the country. The Yao people are predominately found around the southern area of Lake Malawi. Tumbuka are found mainly in the north of the country. There are very small populations of Asian and European people living mainly in the cities.

Government. The Republic of Malawi has 24 voting districts and a legal system based on English common law and customary law, as it employs judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeals. Its current constitution was ratified on May 18, 1994. The election of current president Mr. Bakili Muluzi and his United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1994 ended 30 years of dictatorial rule by Dr. Hastings Banda. The government has suffered from its inability to bring improvement to the weak economy, which is largely dependent on tobacco production. The spread of the HIV/AIDs pandemic and a rising crime rate have also shaken public confidence. Mr. Bingu Wa Mutharika of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and former World Bank economist was sworn in as the country's third multi-party President on Monday, May 24, 2004. The United Democratic Front (UDF) only won 49 out of 193 parliamentary seats, and the party is still headed by ex-President Bakili Muluzi.

Economy. Normally self-sufficient in food, especially maize, the main staple, Malawi is facing its worst famine in more than 50 years. Although most people engage in farming, the government is struggling to feed its people. About 70% of the 6 million Malawians who live below the poverty line are in danger of starvation. The situation was aggravated by the sale of strategic grain reserves in 2000, allegedly on the advice of IMF/World Bank experts. Very little money was collected from the sales and there were no reserves to meet the shortfall which followed two years of drought and a disastrous harvest. Under pressure from the World Bank, the government has been trying to increase incentives to small landowners. However, rural households are still impoverished, especially as funds sent home by migrant laborers have declined. The distribution of land in many areas remains a major challenge.

Areas of Concern. Deforestation, land degradation, and water pollution are Malawi’s primary environmental concerns. A serious famine continues. HIV/AIDS is a serious health problem. Between one-third and one-half of the working population are thought to be infected, with inevitable economic consequences. Malawi is a very poor country that has a high population density and a high population growth rate. Most people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, and traditional fuels, particularly fuel-wood and charcoal, account for 89 percent (1997) of the country’s total energy use. The high population density and dependence on the land put great pressure on the environment for more farmland and fuel-wood. Malawi has one of the highest rates of annual deforestation in Africa, at 0.9 percent (1990–2005). Unsafe sewage disposal, agricultural runoff, and soil erosion due to deforestation combine to contaminate much of the country’s fresh water. Only 73 percent (2004) of the population has access to safe water. In addition, erosion causes siltation of rivers and streams, endangering fish populations. Nevertheless, Malawi has a rich and diverse wildlife population, and about 36 percent (2005) of the country’s total land area remains forested. Experts believe that Lake Malawi has more endemic species of fish than any other lake in the world. Of the country’s total land area, 8.9 percent (2004) is designated protected. Lake Malawi National Park, at the southern end of the lake, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. Poaching continues to be a problem in the protected areas, however. The government has ratified international environmental agreements pertaining to biodiversity, climate change, desertification, endangered species, environmental modification, hazardous wastes, marine life conservation, ozone layer protection, and wetlands.

Malawi statistics

Geography
Area: 45,747 square miles
Capital: Lilongwe (pop 523,000)
Environmental concerns: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution; siltation of fish spawning grounds
Geographical features: narrow plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains; landlocked
Climate: subtropical

People
10,702,000 people; 90% Chewa, 10% Nyanja, Lomwe, other Bantu groups
Annual growth rate: 1.39%
Major languages are Chichewa; English; regional languages
Religions: Christian (75%), Muslim (20%), indigenous beliefs (5%)

Health and social issues
Life expectancy: Men, 36 years; women, 37 years
Infant mortality: 120 deaths per 1000 live births
More than 50 % of the population lives in poverty
1 physician per 47,634 people
HIV/AIDS rate in adults: 15.96%
58% of adults are literate
Compulsory education 6-14 years

Communication and transportation
38,000 land-line telephones
36,000 Internet users (2002)
8,756 miles of highway
489 miles of railroad
44 airfields
55,000 motor vehicles

Government
Malawi is a democracy that became independent on July 6, 1964
President Bakili Muluzi is head of state and government
4 political parties
Universal suffrage at 18

Military
Military expenditures are 0.76% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Current disputes: boundary dispute with Tanzania

Economy
Currency: kwachas
Per capita GDP: $660
GDP: $7 billion
GDP growth rate: 1.7%
Inflation rate: 28.6%
Labor force: 86% agriculture

Resources and industry
Natural resources: limestone; uranium; coal; bauxite; arable land; hydropower
Agriculture: tobacco, tea; sugarcane; cotton; potatoes; cassava; sorghum; pulses; livestock
Industry: tobacco; sugar; tea; sawmill products; cement; consumer goods
Exports: $415.5 million
Imports: $463.6 million