Malawi is a landlocked nation in southeastern Africa which shares borders with three other African nations: Mozambique to the south, Tanzania to the north and Zambia to the west. Most of the eastern border of Malawi is defined by the western shore of Lake Malawi.
Fast Facts:
- Capital: Lilongwe
- Government: Multi-party democracy
- Population: 13,603,181
- Currency: Kwacha (MWK)
- Exchange Rate
- Official Language: English
Brief History
Formerly called Nyasaland by the British, Malawi achieved its independence from the United Kingdom in 1964. Missionary and doctor David Livingston was the first Westerner to establish contact with the region in 1859. In 1953, Nyasland was linked with Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia to create the Central African Federation. Today, Malawi is a multi-party democracy. Malawi is one of the most densely populated nations in Africa.
Culture and Terrain
Africa's Great Rift Valley runs the length of the country and accounts for the ribbon-like shape of the nation and its namesake lake to the east.
