Introduction

Malawi is primarily an agricultural country, with 54% of its working force engaged in farming, fishing, and forestry. The nation has traditionally been self-sufficient in food, but malnutrition among children has been a serious problem since the 1990's. The principle crops are corn, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, and peanuts. Major exports include tobacco, tea, sugar and peanuts. A growing fishing industry, producing for domestic needs, is centered at Nkhotakota on the western shore of Lake Malawi. Unsafe sewage disposal, agricultural runoff, and soil erosion due to deforestation combine to contaminate much of the country's fresh water. Only 57% of the population in 2000 had access to safe water. In addition, erosion has caused siltation of rivers and streams, endangering fish populations. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.

Geographical Location

Located in central Africa, Malawi is bordered on the north by Tanzania, on the east by Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa), on the southeast and south by Mozambique, and on the west by Zambia. Malawi extends about 520 miles north to south and varies in width from about 50 to 100 miles. The total area of the country is 45,474 square miles, nearly one-fifth of which is water surface, mainly Lake Malawi and three smaller lakes.

Climate

The climate in Malawi varies with the elevation. In the low lying Shire Valley, it is hot and humid, with temperatures averaging from 69 to 84 F, depending on the season. In the highlands the climate is more equable. The rainy season lasts from November to April. Annual rainfall averages about 90 inches in the highlands and 30 inches in the lowlands.

Population

The total population estimate in 2009 was 15,028,757 with an average life expectancy of 50.03 years. The average growth rate is 2.746% with a birth rate of 41.68 births per 1000 and a death rate of 14.23 per thousand. 53% of the population lives below the poverty level. Ethnic groups include Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, and European.

Languages

English is Malawi's official language and is the primary language of instruction in the schools. Chichewa, a Bantu language, is the national language, and a number of other Bantu languages are widely spoken. Only 62.7% of the population age 15 and over can read and write.

Religion

About79.9% of the people in Malawi are Christians; 12.8% are Muslim; the remainder adhere to traditional indigenous beliefs (3%) or none at all (4.3%).