Malawi
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : Republic of Malawi
Country name - conventional short form : Malawi
Country name - local long form : Dziko la Malawi
Country name - local short form : Malawi
Country name - former : British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland
Government type : multiparty democracy
Capital - name : Lilongwe
Capital - time difference : UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)
Nationality - noun : Malawian(s)
Nationality - adjective : Malawian
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)
Currency (code) : Malawian kwacha (MWK)
Currency code : MWK
Major infectious diseases - degree of risk : very high
Malawi is located Southern Africa, east of Zambia. The climate is sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November). The terrain is narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.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.
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