Portal:Malawi

The Malawi Portal

Flag of Malawi

Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south, and southwest. Malawi spans over 118,484 km² (45,747 sq mi) and has a population of 22,224,282 (as of July 2025). Lilongwe is its capital and largest city.

The part of Africa known as Malawi was settled around the 10th century by the Akafula, also known as the Abathwa. Later, the Bantu groups came and drove out the Akafula and formed various kingdoms such as the Maravi and Nkhamanga kingdoms, that flourished from the 16th century. The British Empire began to consolidate control of the area following the 1890 British Ultimatum against the Portuguese, who had claimed the area between Angola and Mozambique in the 1885 Pink Map. In 1891, the area was designated by the British as the British Central African Protectorate, being renamed Nyasaland in 1907. In 1964, Nyasaland became independent under Prime Minister Hastings Banda and was renamed Malawi. Two years later, Banda became president by converting the country into a one-party presidential republic. Banda was declared president for life in 1971. Malawi's first few decades of independence was characterized by Banda's highly repressive dictatorship. After the introduction of a multi-party system in 1993, Banda lost the 1994 general election, and the country has continued to experience peaceful transitions of power. Malawi has a democratic, multi-party republic headed by an elected president. According to the 2024 V-Dem Democracy indices, Malawi is ranked 74th electoral democracy worldwide and 11th electoral democracy in Africa. The country maintains diplomatic relations with most countries and participates in several international organisations, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Southern African Development Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the African Union.

Malawi is one of the world's least developed countries. Its economy is heavily based on agriculture, and it has a largely rural and growing population. The country has a low life expectancy and high infant mortality. HIV/AIDS is highly prevalent. The diverse population includes native peoples, Asians, and Europeans. The population is predominantly Christian, and the majority are Protestant. (Full article...)

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Malawi

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Malawi face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Both male and female expressions of same-sex sexual activity are illegal within the nation. The Penal Code prohibits "carnal knowledge against the order of nature", attempts to commit "carnal knowledge against the order of nature", and acts of "gross indecency". Homosexuality among men is punishable by up to 14 years in prison in the country, while homosexuality among women is also punishable by up to five years in prison. There are no broad legal protections for LGBTQ rights in the country.

Malawi is a highly conservative country. There is no recognition of same-sex unions in the country. Homosexual activities are also illegal in Malawi. The maximum punishment for homosexuality among men is 14 years of imprisonment in the country, while the maximum punishment for homosexuality among women is five years of imprisonment, though rarely enforced. (Full article...)

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... that the missionary and explorer David Livingstone named Cape Maclear, Malawi after his friend, astronomer Thomas Maclear?

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The following are images from various Malawi-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1Lake Malawi (from Malawi)
Image 2GDP in Southern African Development Community countries by economic sector, 2013 or closest year (from Malawi)
Image 3National Assembly building in Lilongwe (from Malawi)
Image 4Crafts market in Lilongwe (from Malawi)
Image 5Malawian female soldier (from Malawi)
Image 6Malawi's first Prime Minister and later the first President, Hastings Banda (left), with Tanzania's President Julius Nyerere (right) (from Malawi)
Image 71897 British Central Africa stamp issued by the United Kingdom (from Malawi)
Image 8Mission Church in Livingstonia (from Malawi)
Image 9Mountains in Northern Malawi during the rainy season (from Malawi)
Image 10The M1 road between Blantyre and Lilongwe (from Malawi)
Image 11Locations of Malawian diplomatic embassies or high commissions as of 2012^[update] (from Malawi)
Image 12Children attending a farmer meeting in Nalifu village, Mulanje (from Malawi)
Image 13Public expenditure on education in Southern Africa as a share of GDP, 2012 or closest year (from Malawi)
Image 14Musical instruments of Malawi (from Malawi)
Image 15Mbawemi Women's group in Malawi learning how to make beeswax into candles (from Malawi)
Image 16Chongoni Rock Art Area (from Malawi)
Image 17Elephant in Majete Wildlife Reserve (from Malawi)
Image 18Scientific publication trends in the most productive SADC countries, 2005–2014 (from Malawi)
Image 19Harvesting groundnuts at an agricultural research station in Malawi (from Malawi)