About Malawi
Population
Malawi has the reputation of being one of the friendliest countries in Africa. According to July 2012 estimates Malawi has a population of 16,323,044 people. Life expectancy in Malawi is around 52 years. Birth rate is on average 5.35 per woman. Literacy rate is close to 75%, 81% for males and 68% for females. HIV/AIDS prevalence is 11%.
Geography:
Malawi is 118,480 sq km, somewhat smaller than Pennsylvania, US. It is located in the Southern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique. Malawi’s terrain is made up of a narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, and some mountains. Lake Malawi, is 360 miles long and 52 miles wide, and perhaps the country's most prominent physical feature. Malawi’s climate is sub-tropical; with a rainy season (November to May); and a dry season (May to November).
Government
Malawi was established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu Banda the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. President Bingu wa Mutharika, was elected in May 2004. Mutharika was reelected to a second term in May 2009. He died abruptly in April 2012 and was succeeded by his vice president, Joyce Banda. Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda is Malawi's fourth president.
The Economy
Malawi has an estimated $14.08 billion (2011 est.) in GDP. The per capita GDP is $900 (2011 est.). Malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for more than one-third of GDP and 90% of export revenues. Tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, making key in short-term growth. About 40% of the economy depends on inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations.
References:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mi.html
http://goafrica.about.com/od/malawi/a/Malawi-Facts-And-Information.htm
http://goafrica.about.com/library/bl.mapfacts.malawi.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Banda
http://www.groundreport.com/World/Malawi-leader-decides-to-sell-presidential-jet/2946802
Malawi has the reputation of being one of the friendliest countries in Africa. According to July 2012 estimates Malawi has a population of 16,323,044 people. Life expectancy in Malawi is around 52 years. Birth rate is on average 5.35 per woman. Literacy rate is close to 75%, 81% for males and 68% for females. HIV/AIDS prevalence is 11%.
Geography:
Malawi is 118,480 sq km, somewhat smaller than Pennsylvania, US. It is located in the Southern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique. Malawi’s terrain is made up of a narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, and some mountains. Lake Malawi, is 360 miles long and 52 miles wide, and perhaps the country's most prominent physical feature. Malawi’s climate is sub-tropical; with a rainy season (November to May); and a dry season (May to November).
Government
Malawi was established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu Banda the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. President Bingu wa Mutharika, was elected in May 2004. Mutharika was reelected to a second term in May 2009. He died abruptly in April 2012 and was succeeded by his vice president, Joyce Banda. Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda is Malawi's fourth president.
The Economy
Malawi has an estimated $14.08 billion (2011 est.) in GDP. The per capita GDP is $900 (2011 est.). Malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for more than one-third of GDP and 90% of export revenues. Tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, making key in short-term growth. About 40% of the economy depends on inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations.
References:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mi.html
http://goafrica.about.com/od/malawi/a/Malawi-Facts-And-Information.htm
http://goafrica.about.com/library/bl.mapfacts.malawi.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Banda
http://www.groundreport.com/World/Malawi-leader-decides-to-sell-presidential-jet/2946802