About Malawi

INFORMATION

•  Full name: Republic of Malawi

•  Capital City: Lilongwe

•  Language: Chichewa, Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chisena, Chilomwe, Chitonga

•  Currency: Malawian kwacha

•  Religion: Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic), Muslim

•  National Anthem: “ Mlungu salitsani Malawi” that can be interpreted as “Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi”.

•  Newspaper: The Nation Online, The Daily Times

•  Places to Visit: Lilongwe, Nkhata Bay, Liwonde National Park, Mt Mulanje, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve and many more places.

• Transport: Airways: frequent flights betweeen capital cities; Railways: The Malawian ferry Ilala

• Shopping: Malachite jewellery, basketwork hardwood carvings, batik prints or clothes, soapstone carvings, pottery, chief chairs etc are cheap in this country.

INTRODUCTION :

The Republic of Malawi was previously known as Nyasaland. Then gradually the name “ Malawi” came from the word “Maravi”. Maravi was a group of Bantu people from the southern region of Congo. Malawi, as an individual nation, was established in the year 1891.

LOCATION OF MALAWI

Malawi is a democratic country, which is situated in the southern region of the African continent. Malawi is a landlocked nation. The country shares its border with Zambia in the north-western region, Tanzania in the northern region, Mozambique in the eastern, southern and western regions.

PHYSICAL MAP OF MALAWI

On the face of Malawi the Great Rift Valley is drawn from the very north to the extreme south.

In the trench of this long valley through out the country, lies the lake, Lake Malawi, which is ranked as the world's third largest. This lake is also popular by the name of Lake Nyasa. It covers a huge portion of the country. On the face of this beautiful country flows the river Zambezi. The Shire Highlands are also there in the southern region of the lake. The highest altitude of the country is clime by the peak Sapitwa of the famous Mount Mlanje ranges. It rises almost 3,002 meter above the sea level. On the other hand the lowest point of the country is where the Shire River meets the border of Mozambique. It goes down up to 37 meters below the sea level.

CLIMATE OF MALAWI

When you are planning to visit a country you must gather some information about its weather and climactic conditions. The climatic nature of Malawi can not be termed as tropical, but it may be called subtropical. If you want to avoid the rain patched weather in Malawi, you must not visit the country during the months between November and April. On the other hand May to October the weather remains very pleasing. During the month of June, July and August the climate is warm and suitable for the tourists.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF MALAWI

•  Flora: A major part of the country Malawi is covered by forests. These forests also include grasslands, scrub and thicket. Bamboo and cedar are two hugely grown trees in Malawi. The mountainous regions are specially known for these plants. Confer trees can also be found in those areas. Some plants that grow in the lower regions are baobab, mopane, acacia, mahogany and so on.

•  Fauna : Similarly the animal kingdom is also very rich with various species of animals. Some of the species that are found largely are elephant, giraffe, buffalo and many other species. When you will visit the Lake Niassa region you will find some hippopotamuses and some unique species of antelopes such as tsessebe, duiker, hartebeest, bushbuck, kudu, wildebeest, etc. Some other common fauna that are found in huge number are wolf, zebra, baboon, hyena, lion, nocturnal cat, badger, monkey, warthog, porcupine and various other animals. You can also find some species of reptiles like crocodile, tortoise, turtle, chameleon, lizard, marsh terrapin etc. Various species of snakes are also found in this country.

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