malawi

facts / important liks

BELOW ARE FEW IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT MALAWI AND ALSO IMPORTANT LINKS TO THE MAIN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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Malawi Important Facts

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Capital

Lilongwe is the Capital City of Malawi.

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Area

118,484 sq km (land: 94,080 sq km, water: 24,404 sq km).

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Population

17.5 million (2018 census).

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Malawi Borders

2,881 km (Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km).

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Banking Working Hours

Mon to Fri 8 am to 3 pm; Sat 8 am to 11 am.

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Business Working Hours

Mon to Fri 7.30 am to 5 pm.

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Currency

The Malawian kwacha (MWK) is divided into 100 tambala.

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Electricity

230 to 240 volts, AC 50 Hz. Square-pin plugs mostly used.

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Elevations

Lowest point is junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique at 37 metres above sea level. Highest point is Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) at 3,002 metres.

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Time Difference

GMT +2 hours, CET + 1 hour, UTC + 7 hours.

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Ethnic Groups

Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European.

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Religions

Christian 80 per cent, Muslim 13 per cent, other 3 per cent, none 4 per cent (1998 census).

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Public Holidays

1 January, 15 January (John Chilembwe Day), 3 March (Martyr’s Day), Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 May (Labour Day), 15 June (Freedom Day), 6 July (Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)), second Monday in October (Mother’s Day), 25 December (Christmas Day), 26 December (Boxing Day). Eid Ul Fitr (Depending on the sighting of the moon after the holy month of Ramadhan).

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Communication

The telephone system is reasonably reliable, though mobiles can often be easier to get through to than landlines. Sim cards for local mobile phone networks are widely available and relatively cheap and easy to use. Most hotels and offices are readily reached by e-mail. The postal system tends to be slow. International courier DHL operates in Malawi.

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Shopping

Small supermarkets are found in towns and larger villages. Large supermarkets and European style shops are almost exclusively found in Blantyre and Lilongwe. Markets and roadside vendors are popular with travellers. Attractive souvenirs are the excellent wood carvings, widely available, and straw goods together with work by local artists. The standard of craftwork varies but at its best is quite outstanding. In the markets, bargaining is expected. Traditional Chief’s chairs are popular. Shops and offices open and close earlier in the day than is the custom in Europe or North America.

Administrative Divisions

Malawi is divided into 28 districts within three main regions;

Northern Region.
Central Region.
Southern Region.

Northern Region

Central region consist of following 6 districts:

Chitipa, Karonga, Likoma, Mzimba, Nkhata Bay & Rumphi.

The total population of above mentioned districtus as per the 2018 census was 2,286,960 and total area was 26,931 square kilometers, where as “MZUZU” is the capital city of Northern Region.

Central Region

Central region consist of following 9 districts:

Dedza, Dowa, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Mchinji, Nkhotakhota, Ntcheu, Ntchisi & Salima.

The total population of above mentioned districtus as per the 2018 census was 7,526,160 and total area was 35,592 square kilometers, where as “LILONGWE” is the capital city of Central Region.

Southern Region

Central region consist of following 13 districts:

Balaka, Blantyre, Chikhwawa, Chiradzulu, Machinga, Mangochi, Mulanje, Mwanza, Nsanje, Thyolo, Phalombe, Zomba & Neno.

The total population of above mentioned districtus as per the 2018 census was 7,750,629 and total area was 31,753 square kilometers, where as “BLANTYRE” is the capital city of Central Region.