Malawi is a landlocked country located in southeastern Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast and Mozambique to the east, south and west. The country's capital is Lilongwe and its largest city is Blantyre.

Malawi has a population of around 20 million people and is known for its warm and friendly people, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife. The official language of Malawi is English, but Chichewa is the most widely spoken language. The country is primarily agricultural, with the majority of the population engaged in subsistence farming.

Tourism is a growing industry in Malawi, with many visitors drawn to the country's national parks and wildlife reserves. Lake Malawi, the country's largest lake, is a popular destination for water sports, fishing, and relaxation. The lake is also home to a diverse array of fish species, many of which are endemic to the lake.

Other popular tourist attractions in Malawi include the Liwonde National Park, the Majete Wildlife Reserve, the Nyika National Park, and the Mulanje Mountain range. Malawi is also known for its traditional music and dance, as well as its arts and crafts, which include weaving, pottery, and woodcarving.

The climate in Malawi is generally tropical, with a rainy season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. The best time to visit Malawi is during the dry season, when the weather is mild and sunny.

Telephone Code
265

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 998; Fire: 999; Police: 997

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Malawi is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

Climate
Sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)

Currency (Code)
Malawian kwachas (MWK)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G

Major Languages
English, Chichewa (common), Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chilomwe, Chinkhonde, Chingoni, Chisena, Chitonga, Chinyakyusa, Chilambya

Major Religions
Protestant 33.5%, Roman Catholic 17.2%, other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 13.8%, traditionalist 1.1%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Lake Malawi; Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve; Likoma Island; Liwonde National Park; Zomba Plateau; Chongoni Rock-Art

Major Sports
Soccer, rugby, track and field, basketball, tennis

Cultural Practices
Making a circle with the thumb and index finger can be taken as an insult.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is completely voluntary and dependent on the quality of the service you receive. Group guides and general hotel staff should receive $5-10 (USD) per day.

Souvenirs
Carved wooden masks, statues, and toys; tribal jewelry; hand-woven baskets and twig rugs; Batik wall hangings, clothing, and bags; wood/cane/raffia furniture and decorative items; soapstone carvings; ceramics/pottery

Traditional Cuisine
Chambo (fish) with nshima/nsima (a thick porridge made from cassava, corn, or other starchy flour)

Geography
Area
total: 118,484 sq km
land: 94,080 sq km
water: 24,404 sq km

Climate
sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)

Natural resources
limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite

People and Society
Population
21,279,597 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Chewa 34.3%, Lomwe 18.8%, Yao 13.2%, Ngoni 10.4%, Tumbuka 9.2%, Sena 3.8%, Mang'anja 3.2%, Tonga 1.8%, Nyanja 1.8%, Nkhonde 1%, other 2.2%, foreign 0.3% (2018 est.)

Languages
English (official), Chewa (common), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao

Religions
Protestant 33.5% (includes Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 14.2%, Seventh Day Adventist/Baptist 9.4%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Anglican 2.3%), Roman Catholic 17.2%, other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 13.8%, traditionalist 1.1%, other 5.6%, none 2.1% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate
2.28% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Lilongwe

Economy
Economic overview
low-income East African economy; primarily agrarian; investing in human capital; urban poverty increasing due to COVID-19; high public debt; endemic corruption and poor property rights; poor hydroelectric grid; localized pharmaceutical industry

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$29.658 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$1,500 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sweet potatoes, cassava, sugar cane, maize, mangoes/guavas, potatoes, tomatoes, pigeon peas, bananas, plantains

Industries
tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods

Exports
$1.538 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Belgium 16%, United States 8%, Egypt 7%, South Africa 6%, Germany 6%, Kenya 5%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
tobacco, tea, raw sugar, beans, soybean products, clothing and apparel (2019)

Imports
$3.582 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
South Africa 17%, China 16%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 9%, United Kingdom 8% (2019)

Imports - commodities
postage stamps, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, fertilizers, office machinery/parts (2019)