Where is Malawi situated?
Malawi is in southeastern Africa, right along the Great Rift Valley. It’s a small, landlocked country, roughly the size of Pennsylvania or Portugal.
Borders
- North and northwest — Zambia
- Northeast — Tanzania
- East, south, and southwest — Mozambique
Malawi is surrounded by Mozambique on three sides, which makes border crossings important for trade and travel.
Key geography
- Total area: 118,484 square kilometers
- Length: About 900 km north to south, but only 80-160 km wide
- Lake Malawi: Covers roughly 29,600 square km, about a third of the country’s total area. It’s the third-largest lake in Africa by surface area and the ninth-largest freshwater lake in the world.
- Highest point: Sapitwa Peak on Mount Mulanje, 3,002 meters above sea level
- Capital: Lilongwe (political capital), Blantyre (commercial capital)
Regions
Malawi has three regions:
- Northern Region — Mzuzu is the main city. Known for Nyika Plateau and Lake Malawi’s northern beaches.
- Central Region — Lilongwe is the capital. The government and main international airport are here.
- Southern Region — Blantyre is the business hub. Includes Mulanje, Zomba, and the southern end of Lake Malawi.
Climate
Malawi has a tropical climate with two seasons:
- Warm wet season — November to April (average 25-30°C, heavy rains from December to March)
- Cool dry season — May to October (average 18-25°C, very little rain)
The best time to visit is during the dry season, especially June to August, when temperatures are comfortable and roads are passable.
Fun facts
- Lake Malawi has more fish species than any other lake in the world, mostly cichlids
- Malawi gained independence from Britain in 1964
- The country was formerly known as Nyasaland
- Malawi uses the Malawi kwacha (MWK) as its currency