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Malawi
Physical. Malawi, located in Southern Africa east of Zambia, is slightly
smaller than Pennsylvania. Its highly tropical climate features a rainy season
from November to May and a dry season from May to November. Its terrain includes
a narrow elongated plateau, rolling plains and some mountains. The
eastern/central area of the country is dominated by Lake Malawi, the third
largest lake in Africa. Natural resources include limestone, arable land,
hydropower, uranium, coal, and bauxite.
People. More than 10.7 million people reside in Malawi. Inhabitants
recognize both English and Chichewa as their official languages, with other
languages used regionally. Ethnic groups include Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbako, Yao,
Lumwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, and Ngonde, with small Asian and European populations
as well. The major religions in Malawi are: Protestant (55%), Roman Catholic
(20%), and Muslim (20%) with the remainder of people engaging in traditional
indigenous customs.
Government. The Republic of Malawi has 24 voting districts and a legal
system based on English common law and customary law, as it employs judicial
review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeals. Its current
constitution was ratified on May 18, 1994. The election of current president Mr.
Bakili Muluzi and his United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1994 ended 30 years of
dictatorial rule by Dr. Hastings Banda. The government has suffered from its
inability to bring improvement to the weak economy, which is largely dependent
on tobacco production. The spread of the HIV/AIDs pandemic and a rising crime
rate have also shaken public confidence. Mr. Bingu Wa Mutharika of the
ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and former World Bank economist was sworn
in as the country's third multi-party President on Monday, May 24, 2004. The
United Democratic Front (UDF) only won 49 out of 193 parliamentary seats, and
the party is still headed by ex-President Bakili Muluzi.
Economy. Normally self-sufficient in food, especially maize, the main
staple, Malawi is facing its worst famine in more than 50 years. Although most
people engage in farming, the government is struggling to feed its people. About
70% of the 6 million Malawians who live below the poverty line are in danger of
starvation. The situation was aggravated by the sale of strategic grain reserves
in 2000, allegedly on the advice of IMF/World Bank experts. Very little money
was collected from the sales and there were no reserves to meet the shortfall
which followed two years of drought and a disastrous harvest.
Under pressure from the World Bank, the government has been trying to increase
incentives to small landowners. However, rural households are still
impoverished, especially as funds sent home by migrant laborers have declined.
The distribution of land in many areas remains a major challenge.
Areas of Concern. Deforestation, land degradation, and water pollution
are Malawi’s primary environmental concerns. A serious famine continues.
HIV/AIDS is a serious health problem. Between one-third and one-half of the
working population are thought to be infected, with inevitable economic
consequences.
Malawi statistics
Geography
Area: 45,747 square miles
Capital: Lilongwe (pop 523,000)
Environmental concerns: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution;
siltation of fish spawning grounds
Geographical features: narrow plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some
mountains; landlocked
Climate: subtropical
People
10,702,000 people; 90% Chewa, 10% Nyanja, Lomwe, other Bantu groups
Annual growth rate: 1.39%
Major languages are Chichewa; English; regional languages
Religions: Christian (75%), Muslim (20%), indigenous beliefs (5%)
Health and social issues
Life expectancy: Men, 36 years; women, 37 years
Infant mortality: 120 deaths per 1000 live births
More than 50 % of the population lives in poverty
1 physician per 47,634 people
HIV/AIDS rate in adults: 15.96%
58% of adults are literate
Compulsory education 6-14 years
Communication and transportation
38,000 land-line telephones
36,000 Internet users (2002)
8,756 miles of highway
489 miles of railroad
44 airfields
55,000 motor vehicles
Government
Malawi is a democracy that became independent on July 6, 1964
President Bakili Muluzi is head of state and government
4 political parties
Universal suffrage at 18
Military
Military expenditures are 0.76% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Current disputes: boundary dispute with Tanzania
Economy
Currency: kwachas
Per capita GDP: $660
GDP: $7 billion
GDP growth rate: 1.7%
Inflation rate: 28.6%
Labor force: 86% agriculture
Resources and industry
Natural resources: limestone; uranium; coal; bauxite; arable land; hydropower
Agriculture: tobacco, tea; sugarcane; cotton; potatoes; cassava; sorghum;
pulses; livestock
Industry: tobacco; sugar; tea; sawmill products; cement; consumer goods
Exports: $415.5 million
Imports: $463.6 million
Suggested web sites
www.malawi.net
www.maform.malawi.net
www.sas.upenn.edu
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