the+English+speaking+world

** Malawi **  ** Capital: Lilongwe ** 
 * Official language: English and Chichewa **
 * Independence **** : from the UK, July 6, 1964 **
 * Area: 118 km2 **

Malawi is a republic in Eastern Africa. It borders on Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. Malawi has a constitution based on democratic principles. The biggest cities are Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba. The number of inhabitants is 11.6 million, The population growth is 2.06% a year. Since 1994 only three democratic presidential elections have been held in Malawi. The republic is one of the 12 poorest countries in the world.

Malawi was populated for the first time in the 10th century. Bantu immigrants had migrated from the north and settled in Malawi and other countries further south. By 1500 local tribes were united in a kingdom covering the area of what is now Nkhotakota to the Zambezi River and the area from Lake Malawi to Zambia. In the 16th century the first Portuguese settlers entered the country. They started as tradesmen making alliances with many tribes. During the 17th century, the previous formed empire reverted to the control of small tribes governing separate territories.
 * History**

David Livingstone arrived at the northern coast of Lake Malawi in 1859. He was the first one to bring on a real introduction to European civilisation. Livingstone was Scottish with strong bonds to the Presbyterian Church. After his arrival missionaries were built in numbers. The Scotsmen aimed to get rid of the slave trade, but still that business kept on to the end of the 19th century. Many Scottish missionaries, hunters, traders and planters came to Malawi. In order to deliver supplies to the missionaries, a group of Scottish investors established the African Lakes Company in 1878.

In 1891 the British established the British Protectorate of Central Africa, later renamed the Nyasaland-protectorate. The meaning of the word Nyasa in Yao is lake. In the early years of the 19th century the British controlled Malawi. But at this point the people of Malawi already wanted their independence. During the first decades, many attempts were made without success. The wish for independence rose even higher when Nyasaland in 1953 was put under the reign of North and South Rhodesia. In July 1958 Hastings Kamuzu Banda returned to his home country after having fulfilled his education in the US and Great Britain. He became the leader of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). In 1959 Banda was sent to prison for a year for his political activities and battle for an independent Nyasaland. At a constitution conference held in London in 1962, Nyasaland was set free from British jurisdiction. Banda became Prime minister on February 1.1963. However, the British government went on to control Malawian finances, security and the judiciary.

In 1966 Malawi was declared a republic with doc Banda as its first president. Banda declared his presidency for his lifetime in 1970. He ruled for 30 years based on a single party system. In 1993 a new constitution was put into place, the life presidency abolished and multiparty elections were held. Free and fair elections were offered on May 17.1994. Bakili Muluzi was chosen as president.

Malawi is situated in the southeast of the African continent. The Great Rift Valley crosses the country from north to south in which also is found Lake Malawi. The lake is the third largest in Africa occupying 20% of Malawi’s total area. The highland on either side of the valley climbs to 1200 meters above sea level. In the south is Shire Highlands, a gentle landscape with some mountain peaks. Zomba and Mulanje rise to 2130 and 3048 meters above sea level. Malawi is densely populated with almost no developed industry. 85% of its people live in rural areas with agriculture as a main support to life. The climate in Malawi is subtropical. The rainy season lasts from November to the end of April. From May to October, there is little or no rain.
 * Geography:**

__Sunrise at Lake Malawi:__



**Sports**:
==The Current sports reflect the time when Malawi was included in the British Empire. Soccer is very popular. Boys in Malawi, and almost all of them, play soccer on different levels. Netball has been a popular sport for girl students for a long time. This sport has set Malawi on the African map. The national team won the Cosana- tournament. In later years track and field has won many supporters. Other sports like tennis and squash have recently become very popular, mostly because of the access to television. ==



**Food and health:**
==The most important food is maize. It differs from British foodstuff where meat, fish, potatoes, flour, butter and eggs are put on the table... People in Malawi have many times struggled with famine. 30% of the population was hit in 2003 and in 2005, 55 to 76% of the population was hit. Deforestation creates huge problems too. == ==Aids have shortened the duration of many lives in recent years. This has resulted in set backs in food production, because many adults die and the few left have to take care of sick family members. ==

**Culture:**
==Malawian music has not been any success on international hit lists, but still some celebrities are known outside the country. In the early 1970`s electric guitars became very common. American rock and roll, soul and funk influenced on their music. Dancing has a long tradition. The dances reflect religious belief in spirits. Malawi traditional dancing has something in common with British traditional folk dance. Morris dancing, a British traditional folk dance has an African origin. == ==The pope’s visit in 1989 inspired for a new genre, the Gospel music. Reggae, another genre, has been very popular also, mostly because of tourism. ==  __Malawi men in traditional dance outfits:__



**School system:**
==The school system in Malawi is an 8-4-4-education system. Primary school has duration of 8 years. The students start at the age of six, and they have to pass and be selected to go on to a government secondary school. The primary school is free, but secondary school and university are not. Students can choose whether they want to go to a public or private school the four actual years. There are four universities in Malawi. The first university opened in 1965, it was called The University of Malawi. == ==In the British school system the children start at the age of four or five, they can also voluntarily attend a nursery school from the age of 3. British students move into secondary school at the age of 12. School uniforms are customary in both countries. The primary and secondary school in Britain is free of charge. ==

In Malawi the following days are annually celebrated: Republic Day on July 6, because of the declaration of independence in 1964. Kamuzu Day, honors the president Dr. Banda on May 14. Public holidays: New Year’s Day, August Holiday, Martyrs` Day and Mother’s Day, Good Friday, National Tree-Planting Day, Christmas, Easter Monday and Boxing Day.
 * Traditions:**

In Great Britain they also celebrate New Year’s Day, Easter, Christmas and Boxing Day.

**Famous landmarks:**
==<span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa and ninth largest in the world. The lake has greater assortment of fish than any other lake on Earth. ==

Sources: http://no.wikipedia.org/ http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/education.html http://www.sdnp.org.mw/edu/new/education-in-malawi.html http://www.go2africa.com/malawi http://www.shagtown.com/days/malawi.html