All about Malawi

geographical area

Malawi is located in south-eastern Africa. The Great Rift Valley spans the length of the country from north to south. In this deep trough lies the beautiful Lake Malawi, the third-largest lake in Africa, comprising about 20% of Malawi's area. The Shire River flows from the south end of the lake and joins the Zambezi River 400 kilometres farther south in Mozambique.  The origin of the name Malawi is unclear; it is either derived from that of southern tribes, or from the "glitter of the sun rising across the lake" (as seen in its flag).

capital

population

people

The Malawi people are of Bantu origin with the ethnic groups including Chewa, Nyanja, Yao, Tumbuka, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian and European. The Chichewa (Chewa) people forming the largest part of population group and are largely in the central and southern parts of the country. The Yao people are predominately found around the southern area of Lake Malawi. Tumbuka are found mainly in the north of the country.

language

The official language is English and the national language is Chichewa.  Other languages spoken include Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chisena, Chilomwe and Chitonga