Malawi Geography

By | November 13, 2021

According to SOFTWARELEVERAGE, Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country located in southeastern Africa, formerly known as Nyasaland. It borders Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south, and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its place name comes from Maravi, one of the Bantu tribes that inhabited the area. Drift of the Maravi, Bantu people of Southern Congo that were established 600 years ago. By then they were divided into two groups: Chewas-Nyangas. They are divided into 3 regions: Mzuzu, Lilingwe, Blantyre. The Capital is Lilongwe and the main cities: Blantyre, Mzuzu, Zomba, it has an area of 118,480 km 2 and its population is 13,013,926 residents according to (2007).

Geography

It is found in southern Africa, landlocked and bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique to the south, southeast and southwest. The Great Rift Valley passes through the country from north to south, and the east of the valley borders Lake Malawi (also called Lake Nyasa), with which it borders on three-quarters of its eastern border. Lake Malawi is about 560 km long and 75 km wide at most. The Shire River runs from the southern edge of the lake and joins the Zambezi River 400 km from the lake. The surface of Lake Malawi is 460 m above sea level, with a maximum depth of 700 m, which means that the bottom of the lake is 360 m below sea level. In the mountainous areas of the country around the Rift Valley, there is an average altitude of between 910 and 1,200 m above sea level, although some mountains in the north of the country reach 2,400 m. South of Lake Malawi, the Shire plateau rises 910 m above sea level. In this area are the highest mountains in the country: Zomba and Mulajne, which reach 2,100 and 3,000 m, respectively.

The environment

Its relief and its climate are very varied. The defining feature is the portion of the Great Rift Fault, which runs through the territory from north to south. Part of this deep depression is occupied by Lake Malawi (formerly called Nyassa), which represents a fifth of the country. The rest are plateaus of different heights. The most temperate zone is the south -the highest-, where the population and economic activities (basically agriculture) are concentrated. The low areas are covered, depending on the rains they receive, with savannas, forests or jungles. Soil degradation and deforestation are among the biggest environmental problems.

Environment

The main rivers are the Shire (which runs through Lake Malombe, and joins the Zambezi in Mozambique), the Rukuru, Dwangwa, Lilongwe and the Bua. The main lakes are the Nyasa, and the Chilwa.

Flora and fauna

The variety of flora and fauna that are home to its five national parks make Malawi an ideal country for taking wonderful photos, so it is advisable to include a good camera in your luggage.

Both national parks and animal reserves are the places chosen by tourists for safaris by car or on foot.

In the Nyika National Park it is possible to carry out routes of more than five days. These tours are arranged at “Thazima Gate”, about half an hour from Rumphi, in northern Malawi. By obtaining a permit from the Lilongwe National Park office, the visitor can get to know the wonderful Majete and Mwabvi game reserves.

Despite the fact that most of the activities that can be done in Malawi are related to nature, there are also cities where you can walk and even practice sports. At the Lilongwe Golf Club, in the capital, it is possible to carry out this beautiful sport. In addition, some cities in Malawi, the least, have bars and nightclubs where you can enjoy a pleasant evening.

Climate

The climate is warm in the southern part of the country, while in the northern mountains the temperate climate remains. The altitude moderates what would otherwise be an equatorial climate. Between November and April, temperatures are high with torrential rains, which peak in intensity in March. After March, rainfall rapidly diminishes and from May to September rainfall is low.

Demography

According to 2008 estimates, Malawi has a population of almost 14 million, with a growth rate of 2.39%. Infant mortality levels are high, and life expectancy at birth is 43.45 years

The population of Malawi is made up of several ethnic groups: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, waYao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni and Ngonde, as well as populations of Asians and Europeans

Religion

Approximately 80% of the population is Christian, with the Roman Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church of Central Africa having the most followers.

There are smaller groups of Anglicans, Baptists, Evangelists, and Seventh-day Adventists. Almost 13% of the population is Muslim, most of them from the Sunni, Qadriya, and Sukkutu streams.

Other religious groups present in the country are Jews, Rastafarians, Hindus and Bahais. Atheists make up 4% of the population, although this figure includes those who practice tribal religions.

Malawi Geography