Discovering the World
Malawi 🇲🇼
Basic facts
Official name: Republic of Malawi
Capital city: Lilongwe
Population: 20.9 million (2023)
Demonym: Malawian
Type of government: unitary presidential republic
Head of state and government: Lazarus Chakwera (President)
Gross domestic product (purchasing power parity): $37.91 billion (2023)
Gini coefficient of wealth inequality: 44.7% (medium) (2016)
Human Development Index: 0.508 (low) (2022)
Currency: kwacha (MWK)
Fun fact: Lake Malawi is also referred to as “calendar lake” because it is 365 miles (587 km) long and 52 miles (83 km) wide.
Etymology
The country’s name means “flames” in Chewa and Tumbuka.
Geography
Malawi is located in Southeastern Africa and borders Tanzania to the north, Mozambique to the east and south, and Zambia to the west.
There are three main climates: dry-winter tropical savanna in the east and southwest and monsoon-influenced humid subtropical and monsoon-influenced subtropical highland in the southeast and west. Temperatures range from 9 °C (48.2 °F) in winter to 31 °C (87.8 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature is 21.9 °C (71.4 °F).
The country is divided into three regions, which are further divided into twenty-eight districts. The largest cities in Malawi are Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu, Zomba, and Karonga.
History
1480-1891: Kingdom of Maravi
1891-1907: British Central Africa Protectorate
1907-1964: Nyasaland Protectorate
1964: cabinet crisis
1964-present: Republic of Malawi
Economy
Malawi mainly imports from South Africa, China, and India and exports to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Belgium. Its top exports are tobacco, soybeans, and engine parts.
Its main agricultural products are cotton, sugar, tea, and tobacco. Services represent 56.1% of the GDP, followed by agriculture (29.4%) and industry (15.8%).
Malawi is a member of the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Southern African Development Community.
Demographics
The Chewa people are the largest ethnic group (25.2%), followed by the Tumbuka (20.4%), Lomwe (17.9%), Yao (15.3%), Ngoni (5.4%), Sena (4.8%), and Mang’anja (3.2%). The main religion is Christianity, practiced by 82.3% of the population, 58.5% of which is Protestant.
It has a neutral net migration rate and a fertility rate of 3.4 children per woman. 18% of the population lives in urban areas. Life expectancy is 72.4 years and the median age is 16.8 years. The literacy rate is 62.1%.
Languages
The official language of the country is English, but the main languages are Chewa, Tumbuka, and Yao, spoken by 53.8%, 28.2%, and 16.1% of the population, respectively.
Culture
Malawians are esteemed for their kind and loving nature, and the country is known as the “warm heart of Africa”. There is a rich tradition of basketry and mark carving.
Men traditionally wear a short-sleeved shirt and pants. Women wear a blouse, a long skirt, and a headdress (duku).
Architecture
Traditional houses in Malawi have mud bricks walls and thatched roofs.
Cuisine
The Malawi diet is based on fish, meat, and vegetables. Typical dishes include chambo (a kind of fish served with nsima or rice), kondowole (fried cassava balls), mandazi (fried triangular donuts with powdered sugar), mkhwani (a stew of peanuts, pumpkin leaves, and tomatoes), and nsima (corn porridge eaten with fish or meat).
Holidays and festivals
Like other Christian and Muslim countries, Malawi celebrates Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and Eid al-Fitr. It also commemorates New Year’s Day and Labor Day.
Specific Malawian holidays include John Chilembwe Day on January 15, Martyrs’ Day on March 3, President Kamuzu Banda’s Birthday on May 14, and Independence Day on July 6.
Independence Day
Other celebrations include Art in the Park, where artists exhibit their works; the Blantyre Arts Festival, which features dance, poetry, and theater, and the Lake of Stars Festival, a music festival.
Lake of Stars Festival
Landmarks
There are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chongoni Rock Art Area and Lake Malawi National Park.
Lake Malawi National Park
Other landmarks include the King African Rifles Monument, the Nyika National Park, Saint Michael and All Angels Church, Saint Peter’s Cathedral, and the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve.
Saint Michael and All Angels Church
Famous people
Chakufwa Chihana - human rights activist
Emily Mkamanga - writer
Frank Chipasula - writer
Gertrude Webster Kamkwatira - actress and theater director
Isaac Chilemba - athlete
James Sangala - soccer player
Jane Chimaliro - netball player
Malia - singer
William Kamkwamba - inventor
Zahra Pinto - swimmer
Emily Mkamanga
You can find out more about life in Malawi in this interview and this video.
