{TEXTBOOK} Malawi
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MALAWI PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Philip Briggs | 352 pages | 17 Sep 2013 | BRADT TRAVEL GUIDES | 9781841624747 | English | Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom You are being redirected Malawi has received a significant amount of foreign capital in the form of development aid, which has contributed greatly toward the exploitation of its natural resources and has allowed Malawi to at times produce a food surplus. Nevertheless, its population has suffered from chronic malnutrition, high rates of infant mortality , and grinding poverty—a paradox often attributed to an agricultural system that has favoured large estate owners. Most Malawians reside in rural locations. Malawi stretches about miles km from north to south and varies in width from 5 to miles 10 to km. It is bordered by Tanzania to the north, Lake Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the east and south, and Zambia to the west. The East African Rift Valley—by far the dominant feature of the country—is a massive troughlike depression running through the country from north to south and containing Lake Malawi north and central and the Shire River valley south. The Shire valley stretches some miles km from the southern end of Lake Malawi at Mangochi to Nsanje at the Mozambique border and contains Lake Malombe at its northern end. The plateaus of central Malawi rise to elevations of 2, to 4, feet to 1, metres and lie just west of the Lake Malawi littoral; the plateaus cover about three-fourths of the total land area. The highland areas are mainly isolated tracts that rise as much as 8, feet 2, metres above sea level. They comprise the Nyika , Viphya , and Dowa highlands and Dedza- Kirk mountain range in the north and west and the Shire Highlands in the south. The isolated massifs of Mulanje which reach 9, feet [3, metres], the highest point in the country and Zomba which reach 6, feet [2, metres] represent the fourth physical region. Surmounting the Shire Highlands, they descend rapidly in the east to the Lake Chilwa —Phalombe plain. The major drainage system is that of Lake Malawi, which covers some 11, square miles 29, square km and extends beyond the Malawi border. A second drainage system is that of Lake Chilwa , the rivers of which flow from the Lake Chilwa—Phalombe plain and the adjacent highlands. Soils, distributed in a complex pattern, are composed primarily of red earths, with brown soils and yellow gritty clays on the plateaus. Alluvial soils occur on the lakeshores and in the Shire valley, while other soil types include hydromorphic excessively moist soils, black clays, and sandy dunes on the lakeshore. There are two main seasons—the dry season, which lasts from May to October, and the wet season, which lasts from November to April. Temperatures vary seasonally, and they tend to decrease on average with increasing elevation. Nsanje , in the Shire River valley, has a mean July temperature in the high 60s F low 20s C and an October mean in the mids F high 20s C , while Dedza , which lies at an elevation of more than 5, feet 1, metres , has a July mean in the high 50s F mids C and an October mean in the high 60s F low 20s C. On the Nyika Plateau and on the upper levels of the Mulanje massif, frosts are not uncommon in July. Annual precipitation levels are highest over parts of the northern highlands and on the Sapitwa peak of the Mulanje massif, where they are about 90 inches 2, mm ; they are lowest in the lower Shire valley, where they range from 25 to 35 inches to mm. Savanna grassy parkland occurs in the dry lowland areas. Woodlands with species of acacia trees cover isolated, more fertile plateau sites and river margins. Grass-covered broad depressions, called madambo singular: dambo , dot the plateaus. Grasslands and evergreen forests are found in conjunction on the highlands and on the Mulanje and Zomba massifs. Swamp vegetation has given way to agricultural species as swamps have been drained and cultivated. For the latest Malawi inspiration, check out of Facebook and Instagram feeds here. We hope that will be very soon! Across Africa, tourism is crucial. It plays a vital role in sustainable development, conservation, employment, international understanding and economic growth. So, please do look through this website and stay tuned to our messages so that you can plan and book your next amazing trip! Generic filters. North Malawi. With stunning highlands and unspoilt landscapes, North Malawi is home to one of the most unique national parks in all of Africa. Central Malawi. Home to the country's capital Lilongwe, But also the untouched wilderness of Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, and beautiful stretches of lakeshore. South Malawi. Full of tourist hotspots and home to two of the country's most popular wildlife reserves and highest mountain. With access to stunning beaches on the shores of the famous Lake Malawi, the 'jewel in Malawi's crown'. Welcome to Malawi! Lake Lake Malawi is the jewel in Malawi's crown. Learn More. Wildlife Discover the Big 5 in Malawi's national parks. Landscape Stunning scenery encompasses the country from North to South, with several wilderness areas and highlands offering awe-inspriring views and photographic backdrops. Culture Malawians are the friendliest people you will come across, and truly earn the title 'the Warm Heart of Africa'. Watch our video. October Newsletter. Read More. Africa :: Malawi — The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency The Federation was dissolved in In the protectorate over Nyasaland was ended and Nyasaland became an independent country under Queen Elizabeth II with the new name Malawi. Two years later it became a republic. Upon gaining independence it became a totalitarian one-party state under the presidency of Hastings Banda , who remained president until The country has a Malawian Defence Force that includes an army, a navy and an air wing. Malawi is among the world's least-developed countries. The economy is heavily based in agriculture, with a largely rural population that is growing at a rapid rate. The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet development needs, although this need and the aid offered has decreased since The Malawian government faces challenges in building and expanding the economy, improving education, healthcare, environmental protection , and becoming financially independent amidst widespread unemployment. Since , Malawi has developed several programs that focus on these issues, and the country's outlook appears to be improving, with a rise in the economy, education and healthcare seen in and Malawi has a low life expectancy and high infant mortality. There is a diverse population of native peoples , Asians and Europeans , with several languages spoken and an array of religious beliefs. Although there was periodic regional conflict fuelled in part by ethnic divisions in the past, by it had diminished considerably and the concept of a Malawian nationality had reemerged. The area of Africa now known as Malawi had a very small population of hunter-gatherers before waves of Bantu peoples began emigrating from the north around the 10th century. Soon after , with the area mostly united under one native ruler, native tribesmen began encountering, trading with and making alliances with Portuguese traders and members of the military. By , however, the empire had broken up into areas controlled by many individual ethnic groups. Missionary and explorer David Livingstone reached Lake Malawi then Lake Nyasa in and identified the Shire Highlands south of the lake as an area suitable for European settlement. As the result of Livingstone's visit, several Anglican and Presbyterian missions were established in the area in the s and s, the African Lakes Company Limited was established in to set up a trade and transport concern working closely with the missions, and a small mission and trading settlement was established at Blantyre in and a British Consul took up residence there in The Portuguese government was also interested in the area so, to prevent Portuguese occupation, the British government sent Harry Johnston as British consul with instructions to make treaties with local rulers beyond Portuguese jurisdiction. In , a British protectorate was proclaimed over the Shire Highlands, which was extended in to include the whole of present-day Malawi as the British Central Africa Protectorate. An influential opponent of the CAF was Hastings Banda , a European-trained doctor working in Ghana who was persuaded to return to Nyasaland in to assist the nationalist cause. Banda was elected president of the NAC and worked to mobilise nationalist sentiment before being jailed by colonial authorities in He was released in and asked to help draft a new constitution for Nyasaland, with a clause granting Africans the majority in the colony's Legislative Council. The Federation was dissolved in , and on 6 July , Nyasaland became independent from British rule and renamed itself Malawi, and that is commemorated as the nation's Independence Day, a public holiday. The new document also formally made Malawi a one-party state with the MCP as the only legal party. In , Banda was declared president-for-life. For almost 30 years, Banda presided over a rigidly totalitarian regime, which ensured that Malawi did not suffer armed conflict. Malawi's economy while Banda was president was often cited as an example of how a poor, landlocked, heavily populated, mineral-poor country could achieve progress in both agriculture and industrial development. Under pressure for increased political freedom , Banda agreed to a referendum in , where the populace voted for a multi-party democracy. In late , a presidential council was formed, the life presidency was abolished and a new constitution was put into place, effectively ending the MCP's rule.