ABOUT MALAWI
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.
History
Malawi (formely known as Nyasaland) was a British colony until 1963. The land came under the British influence as a result of the pioneering activities of Dr David Livingstone in the 19th Century and other Scottish missionaries. 
In 1891, Rhodes company was given a charter to administer Southern Rhodesia (presently called Zimbabwe). In the same year, the British government took direct responsibility for the administration of what was then called the British Central African Protectorate.
In the years 1953 to 1963, the British government was confronted with conflicting demands to run the Southern and Northern Rhodesia on the one hand and Nyasaland on the other hand. This prompted the formation of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland which was a self governing colony with its own assembly and Prime Minister (first Lord Malvern and from 1956, Roy Welensky). In the late 1950’s, a “Wind of Change” blew through colonial Africa. In 1961, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda became Prime Minister of Malawi. He led Malawi to its freedom from the British on 6th July 1964. In 1966, the country became a republic. After 30 years of one party system there was the first multi party elections in1994. Malawi has currently a multi-party democratic system.
Back to Top
Language
The official language of Malawi is English. However, there are other languages which are also spoken in Malawi, the main one being Chichewa.
Climate
Malawi enjoys a sub tropical climate. Warm and Wet Season is experienced from December to April, during which 95 percent of annual precipitation takes place. The average annual rainfall varies from 725 mm to 2500 mm. Cool and Dry season usually occurs from May to August with mean temperatures varying from 17 to 27 degrees Celsius. Temperatures may fall to between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius around this season. In addition, frost may occur in isolated areas in June and July. A Hot and dry season lasts from September to November with average temperatures varying from 23 to 35 degrees Celsius. During hot and dry season, temperatures may shoot up the maximum of around 42 degrees Celsius in some areas along the Lakeshore and the Shire Valley.
Back to Top
Business hours
Government offices are open from 7:30 hours to 17:00 hours from Monday to Friday with 1 hour lunch break from 12:00 noon to 13:00 hours. Shops are generally open from 8:00 hours to 17:00 hours though some close around 20:00 hours from Monday to Saturday. Few are open on Sundays.
Banks
There are many commercial banks in Malawi which offer all banking services including international transactions. The banks include National Bank of Malawi, NBS Bank, First Merchant Bank, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Malawi Savings Bank, Ecobank, Opportunity International Bank of Malawi and Indebank. Banks open at 8:00hours and close at 15:00hours from Monday to Friday and 8:00hours to 11:00 hours on Saturdays. However one can withdraw cash from the Auto Teller Machines for 24hours everyday and most of these Auto Teller Machines accept Visa and Mastercard encashment. Banks are closed on Sundays and Public holidays.
Currency
The Malawi currency is Kwacha (MK), which comprises of 100 tambala. When visiting Malawi, Visa cards, Master cards, and travelers cheques can easily be exchanged at any of the banks, Bureau de Change and hotels.
Currency Regulations
The Reserve Bank of Malawi manages the foreign exchange reserves. Commercial Banks, forex bureaux and main hotels are authorized to undertake certain foreign exchange transactions without prior reference to the Central Bank. The US dollar, Pound Sterling, the Euro and the South African Rand are well known to most Malawians. Any amount of foreign currency may be imported without prior approval. However, there are issues of money laundering in force and extraordinarily large amounts of cash may cause suspicion and attention of authorities and this may cause some inconvenience to the importer. Those who bring currency into Malawi and wish to re-export it at some stage, whether for personal or business purposes, should be sure that they have a proof of importation given by Customs authorities on entry or repurchase from authorized dealers. Movements of foreign currency for commerce or investment should be transacted through commercial banks.
Back to Top
National flag
From the top of the flag to the bottom, there are three equal horizontal stripes of red, black and green with a superimposed full white sun in the centre of the black stripe.
Red represents the blood of the martyrs of African Freedom
Black represents the people of the continent of Africa
Full White Sun represents the friendliness of Malawians, the peace that prevails in Malawi and the prosperity that Malawians currently enjoy
Green represents the land and natural resources of Malawi
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.
Government emblem
The emblem called Unity and Freedom
Malawi National Anthem
Oh 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 will be free from fear
Bless our leader each and every one
And mother Malawi
Our own Malawi, this land so fair
Fertile and brave and free
With its lakes, refreshing mountain air
How greatly blest are we
Hills greatly and valleys, soil so rich and rare
Give us a bounty free
Wood and forest, plains and fair
All Beauteous Malawi
Freedom ever and Malawi let us all unite
To build up Malawi
With our love, our Zeal and loyalty
Bringing our best to her
In times of war, in time of peace
Our purpose and one goal
Men and women serving selflessly
in building Malawi
Back to Top
Media
There is freedom of the press in Malawi and the media is allowed to exercise their professionalism without any interference.
The Health Sector
Malawi has a network of health facilities. These health facilities are categorized into three namely: public, private for profit, and private not for profit health facilities. The Ministry of Health is the overall coordinator of the health service and health care delivery in Malawi. In the public health care system, there are 4 central hospitals each located in the 4 main cities of Malawi. These are Kamuzu Central hospital in Lilongwe, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Zomba Central Hospital in the city of Zomba and Mzuzu Central hospital in the city of Mzuzu. These hospitals handle much more complicated cases and surgeries. Apart from the four central hospitals there is a network of the district hospitals in all the 28 districts of Malawi. On top of this, there is also a network of health centres and clinics in each and every district.
The not for profit health care system is coordinated by Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM). This has various mission hospitals in several selected areas. These hospitals charge reasonable fees for their services just to cover the cost of such services. The private profit making health facilities provide their services at a much higher fee than the CHAM hospitals.
Back to Top
UTILITIES
Water
Drinking water in Malawi is safe and potable in line with the internationally recognized standards. Bottled water is also available.
Electricity
The electrical supply is 220-240v single phase or 380-400 v 3 phase. Plugs for the appliances are the square 3 pin British system.
Telecommunication
Currently, Malawi has one fixed line telephone service provider. A second fixed line telephone service provider has just been awarded a licence.
Mobile phone services are provided by two operators namely Zain and TNM.
Internet
Dial up and Wireless internet facilities are available in all the Cities, towns and resorts. GPRS facilities are available country wide.
Visas
The following is a list of countries whose citizens do not need visa when coming to Malawi.
Antigua, Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Fiji, Finland, France, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, Israel, Singapore, Solomo Island, St. Kitts Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Spain, Tonga, Taipei, Taiwan, Mainland China, Uganda, United Kingdom of Great Britain, Zambia, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Luxemburg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives Island, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Samoa (Western), Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri-Lanka, St Lucia, Swaziland, San Marino, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Northern Ireland, United States of America, Zimbabwe.
Back to Top
