Size:

45,747 sq.miles (a little smaller than England)

Population:

11 million (growing at 3.5% annually)

~ 0-14 years    44%

~ 15-64 years  53%

~ 65+ years     3%

Capital:

Lilongwe

Government:

Democracy

Head of State:

President  Bingu wa Mutharika (elected 2004)

Main Languages:

Chichewa, English

Bordering countries:

Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia

Coastline:

Malawi is completely landlocked although Lake Malawi covers about 20% of the country. It is the third largest lake in Africa and the eleventh in the world.

Life expectancy:

Men 37 years; Women 38 years

Literacy rate:

Men 73 %; Women 43%

Economy:

Predominately agricultural with nearly 90% of the people still living in the rural areas and engaged in subsistence farming. Most homes have no access to power, running water or sewage facilities. Very dependent on tobacco, tea, sugar and coffee.

55% of the population live below the poverty line.

Average income is well under £80 per person

Religion:

Roman Catholic 20%             
Muslim 20%
Traditional 5%
Evangelical Christian 15%
Other Protestant 40%

(All very approximate figures - per 1000 people)

Other facts:

Televisions: 3

Radios: 500

Internet access: 2.5  

Landline telephones:cell phones are increasingly popular and are making contact with the rural areas much easier)