MALAWI THE COUNTRY

Fancy a little history and geography lesson …. read on, if not skip and move onto the next blog entry.(Source:www.worldmapmaker.com)

The Flag (adopted in 6 July 1964)) (source www.worldflags.com)

Flag : three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising red sun centred in the black band.

Meaning: Black represents the people of Africa.Red for the blood spilt in Malawi's struggle for independence.Green symbolises the vegetation.The rising sun represents the dawn of freedom and hope on the African continent.

Background: Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. As president, MUTHARIKA has overseen substantial economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation, and anti-corruption measures have stalled. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi

Area total: 118,480 sq km land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,400 sq km - slightly smaller than Pensylvania.

Land boundaries total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 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

Population: 14,3 million

Nationality: Malawian

Ethnic groups: : Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European

Religions: : Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census)

Languages: : Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census)

Government type: multiparty democracy

Capital: name: Lilongwe

Independence: 6 July 1964 (from the UK)

National holiday: Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)

Currency:Malawian kwachas (MWK)

Exchange (MWK) per US dollar - 137 (est 2009)