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Malawi is one of Sub-Saharan Africa's most densely populated countries. The population of Lilongwe—Malawi's capital since 1971—exceeds 400,000. All government ministries and the Parliament are located in Lilongwe. Blantyre remains Malawi's major commercial center and largest city, having grown from an estimated 109,000 inhabitants in 1966 to nearly 500,000 in 1998. Malawi's President resides in Blantyre. The Supreme Court is seated in Blantyre.
Malawi's climate is generally subtropical. A rainy season runs from November through April. There is little to no rainfall throughout most of the country from May to October. It is hot and humid from October to April along the lake and in the Lower Shire Valley. Lilongwe is also hot and humid during these months, albeit far less than in the south. The rest of the country is warm during those months. From JuneJune is the sixth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 30 days. June is named for the Roman goddess Juno, wife of Jupiter. Events in June The solstice occurs around the 21st of this month, although it may occur on either the 20 or 22. It is t through AugustSee August (album) for the album by Eric Clapton. August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 31 days. Named in honor of Augustus Caesar. The month reputedly has 31 days because Augustus wanted as many days as Julius Caesar's Ju, the lake areas and far south are comfortably warm, but the rest of Malawi can be chilly at night, with temperatures ranging from 5°–14°C (41°–57°F).
Location: Southern Africa, east of ZambiaRepublic of Zambia ( In Detail) National motto: One Zambia, One Nation Official language English Capital Lusaka President Levy Mwanawasa Independence October 24 1964 Area Total % water Ranked 38th 752,614 km² 1% Population Total (2003) Density Ranked 77th
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total:
118,480 km²
land:
94,080 km²
water:
24,400 km²
Area – comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total:
2,881 km
border countries:
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m
highest point:
Sapitwa 3,002 m
Natural resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use:
arable land:
34%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
20%
forests and woodland:
39%
other:
7% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 280 km² (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment — current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Environment — international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea
Geography — note: landlocked