THOYODO
ABOUT MALAWI (the Warm Heart of Africa)
Facts
Population: 13 miliion
Capital City: Lilongwe
Main Cities: Blantyre, Zomba, Mzuzu
Climate: Tropical (cooler in highlands)
Official language: English
Common Language: Chichewa, Chitumbuka,Chiyao
Currency:Malawi Kwacha (MK)
Time: GMT +2 22
Land Area: 118,484 Km²
General information
Located within the Southern part of Africa, Malawi lies between latitudes 9 and 18 degrees south of the equator. It is a landlocked country, sharing borders with Tanzania to the north, and north east, Zambia to the West and Mozambique to the east and southwest. Malawi covers an area of about 118,500 square kilometres. Elevation above the sea level vary from approximately 30 metres at Nsanje to 3000 metres at Sapitwa on Mount Mulanje, the highest peak in Southern Africa north of Drankensburg. About 20 percent of the country is covered by Lake Malawi, the third largest in Africa. Malawi is a land of contrasts. Though small, Malawi has diverse topography and scenery with a natural vegetation mix of miombo woodland, and savanna.
Language
The official language of Malawi is English. However, there are other languages which are also spoken in Malawi, the main one being Chichewa.
National flag
From the top of the flag to the bottom, there are three equal horizontal stripes of black, red and green with a superimposed rising sun on the black stripe. Black stand for the black people of Malawi, Red for the blood shed in fight for freedom and green for the beauty of the country.
Government
There is a democratic system of government based on the Republican constitution. The Government is led by a democratically elected president. There are three arms of Government namely: the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. The Executive is headed by the democratically elected president. The legislature is headed by the Speaker. The judiciary is led by the Chief Justice.
Malawi National Anthem
1
O God bless our land of Malawi,
Keep it a land of peace.
Put down each and every enemy,
Hunger, disease, envy.
Join together all our hearts as one,
That we be free from fear.
Bless our leader, each and every one,
And Mother Malawi.
2.
Our own Malawi, this land so fair,
Fertile and brave and free.
With its lakes, refreshing mountain air,
How greatly blest are we.
Hills and valleys, soil so rich and rare,
Give us a bounty free.
Wood and forest, plains so broad and fair,
All-beauteous Malawi.
3.
Freedom ever, let us all unite
To build up Malawi.
With our love, our zeal and loyalty,
Bringing our best to her.
In time of war, or in time of peace,
One purpose and one goal.
Men and women serving selflessly
In building Malawi.
