Article Outline
Malawi, republic in southeastern Africa, formerly the British protectorate of Nyasaland, bounded on the north by Tanzania, on the east by Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa), on the southeast and south by Mozambique, and on the west by Zambia. Malawi extends about 835 km (about 520 mi) north to south and varies in width from about 80 to 160 km (about 50 to 100 mi). The total area of the country is 118,484 sq km (45,747 sq mi), nearly one-fifth of which is water surface, mainly Lake Malawi and three smaller lakes. The capital of Malawi is Lilongwe, and the largest city is Blantyre.
Part of the Great Rift Valley runs through Malawi from north to south. In this deep trough lies Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa. The Shire River flows from the southern end of the lake to the Zambezi River in Mozambique. To the east and west of the Great Rift Valley the land rises to form high plateaus, generally about 900 to 1,200 m (about 3,000 to 4,000 ft) in elevation but reaching about 2,400 m (about 8,000 ft) in the Nyika uplands in the north. South of Lake Malawi lie the Shire Highlands, which rise to more than 2,700 m (9,000 ft). Sapitwa (Mount Mulanje), central Africa’s highest peak at 3,002 m (9,849 ft), is here.
The climate in Malawi varies with the elevation. In the low-lying Shire Valley it is hot and humid, with temperatures averaging from 21°C (69°F) to 29°C (84°F) depending on the season. In the highlands the climate is more equable. The rainy season lasts from November to April. Annual rainfall averages about 2,300 mm (about 90 in) in the highlands and about 800 mm (about 30 in) in the lowlands.
The resources of Malawi are almost entirely agricultural. Mineral wealth is slight, although some marble, limestone, and coal are produced. A thin forest of small trees covers large parts of the country, and some timber trees grow in the damp ravines of the mountains and along the riverbanks. Baobab grow on the plains near Lake Malawi and in the southern valleys. Acacia and conifers grow in the highlands.
Animal life in Malawi includes elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, and several varieties of antelope. Hippopotamuses inhabit the lake shores. Snakes and other reptiles, birds, and insects are plentiful, and the rivers and lakes abound in fish.
Hotmail
