Malawi

Malawi A long, narrow, landlocked country running north to south in south-eastern Africa. Its eastern boundary includes much of Lake Malawi; Tanzania is to the north and Zambia to the west, while Mozambique almost encloses its southern half.

Physical

Malawi lies at the southern end of the Great Rift Valley. The Shire River falling from Lake Malawi is flanked by high ground until it enters swampland, with three smaller lakes. To the north the ground rises westward from the lake to plateaux.

Economy

The economy is mainly agricultural, exports being dominated by tobacco, sugar, and tea. Groundnuts, cotton, and maize are also grown. The only mineral resource is bauxite. Industrial development is being financed through foreign aid. Light industries include beer, cement, and cigarette manufacture. Electricity is generated mainly from hydroelectric sources.

History

The area has been inhabited since at least 8000 BC, and several kingdoms had risen and fallen before Malawi was first explored by the Portuguese in the 17th century. Slave-traders from Zanzibar raided the area frequently in the 1840s, and its desolation is described by LIVINGSTONE in 1859. In 1875 Scottish missionaries settled, and for a while governed parts of the country. Colonial administration was instituted when Sir H. H. Johnston proclaimed the Shire Highlands a British Protectorate in 1889. This became British Central Africa in 1891, then Nyasaland from 1907 until 1964. Unwillingly a member of the CENTRAL AFRICAN FEDERATION (1953–63), it gained independence (1964) as Malawi, with Dr Hastings BANDA as first Prime Minister. When the country became a republic in 1966, he became President and was proclaimed Life President in 1971. Regular elections were held to the National Assembly, but all candidates had to be members of the Malawi Congress Party. At its Convention in 1991 the party voted to retain the one-party system; but increasing opposition to this developed early in 1992, with the opposition leader Chakufwa Chilana arrested. There were violent riots, and all non-humanitarian aid from the West was suspended. In spite of protest, however, the one-party system continued for the general election of June 1992. Banda held a referendum in October 1992, following continued unrest, and the adoption of a multiparty political system was approved. A new constitution was adopted in 1993 and elections in 1994 were won by the United Democratic Front (UDF), with Bakili Muluzi becoming President.

Capital:	Lilongwe
Area:	118,484 sq km (45,747 sq miles)
Population:	9,840,000 (1998 est)
Currency:	1 kwacha = 100 tambala
Religions:	Protestant 33.7%; Roman Catholic 27.6%; traditional beliefs 19.0%; Muslim 16.2%
Ethnic Groups:	Chewa 46.0%; Lomwe 19.0%; Yao 14.0%; Ngoni 9.0%; Tumbuka 6.0%
Languages:	English, Chichewa (both official); Lomwe; local languages
International Organizations:	UN; Commonwealth; Non-Aligned Movement; OAU; SADC