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Malawi, Africa - Map
Malawi, Africa - Geographical
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. >more
Malawi, Africa - Background
Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became
the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the
country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution, which came into full effect the following year.
Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after the previous president failed to amend the constitution to
permit another term, has struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor, who still leads their shared political
party. MATHARIKA's anti-corruption efforts have led to several high-level arrests but no convictions. Increasing corruption,
population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, and HIV/AIDS pose major problems for the country. >more
Malawi, Africa - Travel
The tourist brochures bill Malawi as 'the warm heart of Africa',
and for once the hype is true. Malawi's scenery is gorgeous and varied and Malawians tend to be extremely friendly toward
travellers. Nature lovers will adore the national parks and game reserves, mountain hiking and plateau trekking. >more
Malawi, Africa - A Timeless Beauty
We arrived at the lake at dusk, flying in to an airstrip with the
last light. People came out to meet us on the runway, carrying hats decorated with bright bougainvillea petals bringing us
sugared glasses of tropical fruit juice. Everyone was laughing and talking and shaking our hands. I have never felt so welcome
anywhere. I thought I'd come home to a place I had always known. >more
Malawi, Africa - General Info
Malawi is a landlocked country about the size of Pennsylvania. Located
in southeast Africa, it is surrounded by Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania. Lake Malawi, formerly Lake Nyasa, occupies most
of the country's eastern border. The north-south Rift Valley is flanked by mountain ranges and high plateau areas. >more
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