A Closer Look at Malawi
Malawi Flag
Malawi Formation Date
Malawi gained independence from the United Kingdom on July 6, 1964.
Malawi Capital Name
The capital of Malawi is Lilongwe.
Malawi Neighbours
Exploring Malawi
Origin of Malawi
Malawi is a tiny southeastern African nation that is bordered by Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The country was formerly known as Nyasaland, and it was established in the late 19th century under the British protectorate. In 1953, Nyasaland became an independent dominion under British rule. The region officially became a republic in 1964, and renamed itself as Malawi that same year. Malawi is a unique country and is considered an important historical and cultural crossroads in Africa. It has a long and dynamic history with deep roots in both African and European cultures, leading to a vibrant and diverse blend of customs and beliefs.Culture of Malawi
Malawi is a culturally dynamic society that blends both African and European features. African influence is evident through traditional beliefs and customs, such as ancestor worship, polygamy, artistic expressions, and dance styles, while European influence can be found in the architecture, cuisine, and clothing. Malawi also has a stunning variety of wildlife and natural habitats. The country is home to a tremendous range of plants, trees, flowers, mammals, reptiles, and birds, making it a haven for nature-lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.Sports in Malawi
Sports are a popular pastime in Malawi, and some of the most popular sports are association football (soccer), cricket, basketball, netball, and track and field. Sports are often played in rural villages and towns, as well as in the cities. Basketball and volleyball are especially popular among urban youths. Malawi also has numerous national teams that compete in international competitions, such as the African Cup of Nations and African Cup of Women’s Football. The country has been quite successful in these sports, earning several medals at regional and international level.Religion in Malawi
The main religion in Malawi is Christianity, practiced by a majority of the population. An estimated 90 percent of the population is Christian, and the remaining 10 percent practices traditional African religions or Islamic beliefs. Christians can be found in most areas of Malawi, and are mainly divided between Catholics and Protestants. Islam is well-represented in some of the major cities, particularly in the central region, and around the border areas with Tanzania and Mozambique.Languages of Malawi
The official language of Malawi is English, although most citizens in rural areas will usually be more comfortable with the local languages spoken in their area. The predominant languages in Malawi are Chichewa and Chiyao, with other local languages ranging from Yao to Lomwe. Kamanga is spoken in the northern region, and has been classified as a dialect of Chichewa, although it is distinct enough to be considered a separate language. English is widely used and taught in most schools, so English-speaking visitors will not find it difficult to communicate with locals.Education in Malawi
Education is highly valued in Malawi, and the government places a great emphasis on primary and secondary education. The primary school system is free, and almost all children are enrolled in school. There are also numerous universities and colleges in Malawi, ranging from technical and vocational schools to liberal arts universities. Illiteracy is still a problem in Malawi, but the government is taking steps to address this issue by providing more educational materials and hiring additional teachers in rural areas.Demographics of Malawi
Malawi has an estimated population of 17 million people. The majority (85%) of the population is ethnic Bantu, while the minority population is made up of Chewa, Tsonga, Shona, and Nyanja. Around 75% of the population lives in rural areas, and most of the population is concentrated in the southern and central regions. Malawi is also classified as a low-income country, with a majority of the population living in poverty.Commerce in Malawi
Commerce and industry in Malawi are still developing, but there have been significant advancements in recent years. The main industries are agriculture, natural resources, fishing, and mining. Tourism is also an important economic activity, with thousands of tourists visiting the country yearly. The country also has a substantial manufacturing sector, with the major industries being leather, textiles, chemicals, motor vehicles, and metal products. The main exports are tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, and legumes.Weather in Malawi
Malawi has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather year-round. The rainy season lasts from May to November, and the dry season is from December to April. The country is located in an area affected by the Indian Ocean monsoon, so the weather can be quite unpredictable. The average high temperatures in the north-central region range from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit), while the average low temperatures range from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit). The south-central region is hotter and the temperatures range from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius (77 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit).Borders of Malawi
Malawi is bordered by three nations: Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The northern border with Zambia is fairly short, while the southern border with Mozambique is over 640 kilometers long. The eastern border with Tanzania is also quite long, and extends for more than 1,900 kilometers. Malawi also shares an inland lake, Lake Malawi, with Tanzania and Mozambique. The lake is 1240 kilometers long and covers an area of almost 30,000 square kilometers. It is the second-largest body of water in Africa, second only to lake Victoria.Malawi Highest Point Name
The highest point in Malawi is Sapitwa Peak, which stands at 3,002 meters (9,849 feet) above sea level. Sapitwa Peak is located in the Mulanje Massif in the south of the country.
Malawi Capital Longitude
Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, has a longitude of 33.78E.
Malawi Capital Latitude
Lilongwe, Malawi is the country's capital and is located at 14.8°S 34.9°E.
Malawi Official Languages
Malawi has several official languages: Chichewa, Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chisena, and Chilomwe. English is also widely spoken in the country.
Malawi Ethnic Groups
Malawi is an African country located in the south-east of the continent that shares borders with Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. The country is home to over 17 million people, and its population is composed of more than 20 different ethnic groups. The primary ethnic group is the Chewa, who make up 35% of the total population. They are closely followed by the Lomwe (17%), the Yao (14%) and the Nyanja (13%). Other significant groups include the Tumbuka (10%), Sena (7%) and Ngonde (2%). These ethnic groups form a rich cultural tapestry that is celebrated by Malawians.
Malawi Religions
The two main religions practiced in Malawi are Christianity and Islam. The vast majority of Malawians are Christians, comprising roughly 83 percent of the total population. The largest denomination is Roman Catholicism, followed by Protestantism, Seventh-Day Adventist, and other independent denominations. Islam is the second largest religion, making up roughly 13 percent of the population. Small minorities of other faiths make up the remaining 4 percent of Malawi's religious composition, including traditional African beliefs, Baha'i, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Malawi Total Area
The total area of Malawi is 118,484 square kilometers (45,747 square miles).
Malawi Land Area
(sq km):118,484Malawi's population (2020):19,129,952
Malawi Water Area
Malawi's water area total is about 11,430 square kilometers, which is about 2.3% of the country's total area.
Malawi Total Population
is18,091,575 (as of July 2020).
Malawi Currency Name
Malawi's currency is the Malawian Kwacha (MWK).
Malawi Currency Code
The currency code for Malawi is MWK.
Malawi Currency Symbol
Malawi's currency symbol is MWK.
Malawi Time Zones
- UTC+02:00
Malawi is in the CAT time zone (Central Africa Time Zone). UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) is +2:00 hours all year round with no daylight saving time. Therefore, it remains +2:00 hours throughout the year. The sun rises at about 5:45am and sets at around 6:15pm daily.
Malawi Calling Code
+265
Malawi Internet TLD
www.aveholidays.mw
How to Say "Malawi" In Different Languages?
- English
- Malawi (en-AU)
- Portuguese
- Maláui (pt-BR)
- Chinese (Simplified)
- 马拉维 (zh-Hans-CN)
- Czech
- Malawi (cs-CZ)
- French
- Malawi (fr-FR)
- German
- Malawi (de-DE)
- Greek
- Μαλάουι (el-GR)
- Hindi
- मलावी (hi-IN)
- Indonesian
- Malawi (id-ID)
- Hebrew
- מלאווי (he-IL)
- Italian
- Malawi (it-IT)
- Japanese
- マラウイ (ja-JP)
- Romanian
- Malawi (ro-RO)
- Russian
- Малави (ru-RU)
- Arabic
- ملاوي (ar-SA)
- Korean
- 말라위 (ko-KR)
- Spanish
- Malawi (es-ES)
- Thai
- มาลาวี (th-TH)
- Ukrainian
- Малаві (uk-UA)
- Vietnamese
- Malawi (vi-VN)
Malawi Popular Holidays
- New Year's Day
- 1 January
- State Opening of Parliament
- 16 January
- Bata Festival (aka Family Day)
- 18 January
- Enterprise Independence Day
- 6 February
- Youth Day
- 14 February
- Valentine's Day
- 14 February
- Good Friday
- 30 March
- Easter Monday
- 2 April
- Labour Day
- 1 May
- Mother's Day
- 14 May
- Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan)
- 25 May
- National Tree Planting Day
- 2 June
- World Environment Day
- 5 June
- Father's Day
- 21 June
- Independence Day
- 6 July
- Heroes' Day
- 14 July
- Eid al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
- 20 July
- Grandparents' Day
- 19 August
- Heritages Day
- 20 August
- Who's Birthday
- 25 August
- Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
- 31 August
- Malawian Muslim Day
- 1 September
- Freedom Day
- 6 September
- Youth Day (Retreat Holiday)
- 21 September
- Herbalists' Day
- 25 September
- Liwonde Boma Festival
- 27 September
- Agricultural Show
- 30 September
- Mzimba Umthetheni Festival
- 1 October
- DEF Holiday of Intolerance
- 4 October
- End of Ramadan
- 4 October
- World Food Day
- 16 October
- International Day of Peace
- 21 October
- Mangochi Yacht Club Regatta
- 21 October
- Malawi Teachers' Day
- 4 November
- International Children's Day
- 20 November
- Grandmothers' Day
- 30 November
- Mvano Festival
- 1 December
- Great Basin Yacht Club Regatta
- 1 December
- Nkhotakota Yacht Club Regatta
- 8 December
- Human Rights Day
- 10 December
- Christmas
- 25 December