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Basic Facts on Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country bordered
by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Malawi covers an area
of 118,480 km2, which is about one-third the
size of Japan. Lilonqwe is the capital city of Malawi.
Population
The population of Malawi is 13.2 million, according to the 2008 Malawi National Population Census. The population is therefore just higher than that of Tokyo.
The population estimates for the main cities of the country are as below:
People
The people of Malawi speak English, and vernacular languages including Chichewa, Lomwe, Yao and Tumbuka. For a list of useful words and phrases in Chichewa, click here. Currently, approximately 83% of Malawians are employed in agriculture, but this is changing rapidly with urbanization.
Majority of Malawians are Christians.
Geography
Malawi contains an abundance of pristine nature. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country from the north to the south. Beautiful Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa and the 10th largest in the world, covers 20% of the area of the country. The tallest mountain in the country is Mount Mulanje, which is about the same height as Mt. Fuji, at 3,002 meters.
Climate
Malawi has a sub tropical climate. The wet season is typically from November to April. Average rainfall during this period is from 725mm to 2,500mm. The cool-dry season is from May to August. During this time temperatures range between 17 and 27 Celsius. The hot-dry season occurs between September and October, when temperatures range between 25 and 37 Celsius.
Travel
Malawi has two international airports, namely: Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe and Chileka Airport in Blantyre.
Tarmarked road network connect the airports to all major cities in Malawi.
Medical Care and Hospitals
Hospitals and pharmacies are available in all major cities and tourist resorts.
Currency and Banking
The unit of currency in Malawi is the Kwacha, divided in 100 tambala. Currency notes are in denominations of K500, K200, K100, K50, K20, K5.
Foreign currency and traveler’s cheques can be exchanged at banks, some tourist hotels and lodges and bureaus de changes.
Major credit cards are accepted in major hotels and restaurants.
Banking hours are 08.00 to 13.00 Monday to Saturday.
Malawi Public Holidays
1 January : New Year’s Day
15 January : Chilembwe Day
3rd March : Martyr’s Day
Mid April : Good Friday
Mid April : Easter Monday
1st May : Labour Day
14th May : Kamuzu Day
6th July : Independence Day
15th October : Mother’s Day
Upon sighting of new moon in the month
of Ramadan : Eid Ul Fitr
25th December: Christmas Day
26th December : Boxing Day
Population
The population of Malawi is 13.2 million, according to the 2008 Malawi National Population Census. The population is therefore just higher than that of Tokyo.
The population estimates for the main cities of the country are as below:
- ・ Lilongwe, 1.897 million
- ・ Blantyre, 0.999 million
- ・ Mzuzu, 0.853 million
- ・ Zomba, 0.670 million
People
The people of Malawi speak English, and vernacular languages including Chichewa, Lomwe, Yao and Tumbuka. For a list of useful words and phrases in Chichewa, click here. Currently, approximately 83% of Malawians are employed in agriculture, but this is changing rapidly with urbanization.
Majority of Malawians are Christians.
Geography
Malawi contains an abundance of pristine nature. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country from the north to the south. Beautiful Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa and the 10th largest in the world, covers 20% of the area of the country. The tallest mountain in the country is Mount Mulanje, which is about the same height as Mt. Fuji, at 3,002 meters.
Climate
Malawi has a sub tropical climate. The wet season is typically from November to April. Average rainfall during this period is from 725mm to 2,500mm. The cool-dry season is from May to August. During this time temperatures range between 17 and 27 Celsius. The hot-dry season occurs between September and October, when temperatures range between 25 and 37 Celsius.
Travel
Malawi has two international airports, namely: Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe and Chileka Airport in Blantyre.
Tarmarked road network connect the airports to all major cities in Malawi.
Medical Care and Hospitals
Hospitals and pharmacies are available in all major cities and tourist resorts.
Currency and Banking
The unit of currency in Malawi is the Kwacha, divided in 100 tambala. Currency notes are in denominations of K500, K200, K100, K50, K20, K5.
Foreign currency and traveler’s cheques can be exchanged at banks, some tourist hotels and lodges and bureaus de changes.
Major credit cards are accepted in major hotels and restaurants.
Banking hours are 08.00 to 13.00 Monday to Saturday.
Malawi Public Holidays
1 January : New Year’s Day
15 January : Chilembwe Day
3rd March : Martyr’s Day
Mid April : Good Friday
Mid April : Easter Monday
1st May : Labour Day
14th May : Kamuzu Day
6th July : Independence Day
15th October : Mother’s Day
Upon sighting of new moon in the month
of Ramadan : Eid Ul Fitr
25th December: Christmas Day
26th December : Boxing Day