Malawi
Africa · Eastern Africa
Overview
Malawi is a landlocked country in the interior of Southern Africa, bordered by Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia. Much of the country's eastern border is formed by Lake Malawi, the world's eighth-largest and fourth-deepest lake, which covers roughly a fifth of the country's total area. Britain administered the territory as a colony under the name Nyasaland until 1964, and the official languages are English and Chichewa. Malawi is often called "the warm heart of Africa" for the hospitality of its people, a phrase central to its tourism marketing, and the country ranks among the poorest in the region while remaining relatively politically stable.
Lilongwe, the capital, a relatively young city developed into a major administrative center in the 1970s, is less touristic in character than the country's southern lakeside regions. Lake Malawi National Park, on the southern part of the lake, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984, protecting the lake's extraordinary diversity of cichlid fish, with an estimated more than 1,000 endemic fish species, representing one of the highest levels of freshwater biodiversity in the world. The Zomba Plateau, near the country's former colonial capital, offers a cooler, pleasant climate with highland tea plantations and waterfalls, a contrast to the heat of the lowlands. Mount Mulanje, Malawi's highest peak at about 3,002 meters, is a significant mountaineering destination in the region.
Along the shores of Lake Malawi, particularly around Cape Maclear and Nkhata Bay, diving and snorkeling focus on observing the lake's unique cichlid fauna, well known among freshwater aquarium enthusiasts. Liwonde National Park, along the Shire River, is home to elephants, hippos, and successfully reintroduced black rhinos, with river safaris a popular activity in the park. Nyika Plateau National Park, in the north of the country, with rolling hills and wildflower meadows, differs from the typical African savanna landscape, offering excellent hiking and horseback riding. Local cuisine is built around nsima, a cornmeal porridge, served with vegetables, fish, or meat, with chambo, a fish from the lake, one of the country's most popular fish dishes.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Lake Malawi National Park
Located at the southern end of the great expanse of Lake Malawi, with its deep, clear waters and mountain backdrop, the national park is home to many hundreds of fish species, nearly all endemic. Its importance for the study of evolution is comparable to that of the finches of the Galapagos Islands.
Chongoni Rock-Art Area
Situated within a cluster of forested granite hills and covering an area of 126.4 km2, high up the plateau of central Malawi, the 127 sites of this area feature the richest concentration of rock art in Central Africa. They reflect the comparatively scarce tradition of farmer rock art, as well as paintings by BaTwa hunter-gatherers who inhabited the area from the late Stone Age. The Chewa agriculturalists, whose ancestors lived there from the late Iron Age, practised rock painting until well into the 20th century. The symbols in the rock art, which are strongly associated with women, still have cultural relevance amongst the Chewa, and the sites are actively associated with ceremonies and rituals.
Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape
This property encompasses the mountain range located in southern Malawi, with the imposing Mount Mulanje—one of the world’s largest inselbergs—and its surrounding environment. Revered as a sacred place inhabited by gods, spirits, and ancestors, it holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. The mountain’s geological and hydrological features are connected with the belief systems and cultural practices of the Yao, Mang’anja, and Lhomwe peoples. These communities have sustained the mountain’s sacredness through rituals and traditions, making the site a sacred cultural landscape that reflects the spiritual and ecological harmony between people and nature.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Malawi?
The capital of Malawi is Lilongwe.
What is the area of Malawi?
The area of Malawi is 118,484 km².
What is the population of Malawi?
The population of Malawi is 21,655,286.
What is the currency of Malawi?
The currency of Malawi is Malawian kwacha (MWK).
What is the official language of Malawi?
The official language of Malawi: Chewa, English.
What side of the road does Malawi drive on?
Malawi: Left-hand traffic.
Is Malawi a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Malawi is a member of the United Nations.