Republic of Malawi

Malawi lies at the southern end of the East African Rift Valley, bordering Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique to the east and to the southwest.

Malawi, which covers nearly one-fifth of the total area. Its southern outflow, the Shire river, runs through a deep, often swampy valley flanked by mountains to the east. Central and western Malawi consists mostly of plateaus, with high mountains in the north. The tropical climate is modified by the country's landlocked position and by variations in relief. Temperatures are highest just before the summer rainy season in the Rift Valley, while rainfall is greatest in the northern highlands. Savanna grasslands in the valleys give way to open woodland higher up, and then to grassland and evergreen forest in the mountains. Much of the original woodland has been cleared for cultivation. Larger animals are mainly confined to the reserves, although hippopotamuses are found in Lake Malawi.

Maize is the chief staple, while cash crops, notably tobacco, sugar cane and tea, account for the majority of export revenue. New forest plantations have created a surplus for export. Fishing, mostly from Lake Malawi, is also an important industry. Mineral resources are scarce, but there is abundant water and hydroelectric potential. Most power comes from this source, reducing import bills for fuel. Many consumer products are now manufactured, but basic products and machinery are imported.

The road system is limited, and most roads are unsurfaced. Railroad links with Mozambique give access to the sea at Beira and Nacala, but in the 1980s these were effectively cut off by the civil war in Mozambique. Malawi now spends over 40 percent of gross national product on transportation by truck through Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe to South African ports. The Shire river is navigable, and there are passenger and cargo services on Lake Malawi. The national airline, Air Malawi, operates an international service from Lilongwe, the capital city since 1975, in the center of the country. Press and broadcasting are controlled by the government. Some free medical treatment is provided, but preventive health care is limited. Major diseases include malaria, bilharzia, gastrointestinal diseases and leprosy. Housing is in short supply, but welfare help is available for children, the handicapped and the poor. Limited resources mean that less than half the school-age population have access to education, and literacy is correspondingly low.

Bantu speakers first settled in the area many centuries ago. Muslim slave traders arrived in the early 19th century, closely followed by Christian missionaries. In 1891 Britain created the Nyasaland Districts Protectorate, which became Nyasaland in 1907. In 1953 the country joined a federation with Northern and Southern Rhodesia, where it remained until 1963. Malawi achieved full independence in 1964, becoming a single-party republic two years later. In 1971 its first president, Hastings Banda, was proclaimed president for life but this was repealed in 1993 following a referendum which approved the introduction of multiparty democracy. In the first multiparty election held in 1994 the United Democratic Front led by Bakili Muluzi won an overwhelming victory over Banda's Malawi Congress Party. Malawi has had differences with its African neighbors but during Mozambique's civil war, it took in refugees. Almost all the population are Bantuspeaking; English, though an official language, is spoken by a minority. About half the population are Christian, but traditional beliefs are also widely held, and there is a strong Muslim minority.