Malawi
Lilongwe · East Africa
Malawi is a country in Africa. Its capital city is Lilongwe, the official currency is the Malawian Kwacha, and the main language is English.
With a population of roughly 20.9 million people spread over 118,484 km², Malawi is the 61st most populous country in the world and the 98th largest by area. That works out at about 176 people per square kilometre.
Malawi shares land borders with Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia — 3 neighbours in all. Its largest urban centres are Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu. The highest point in the country is Sapitwa Peak, at 3,002 metres.
For scale, it covers almost exactly the same area as Eritrea, while its population is closest to that of Zambia.
- Capital
- Lilongwe
- Region
- East Africa
- Population
- 20,900,000
- Area
- 118,484 km²
- Currency
- Malawian Kwacha
- Main language
- English
- Highest point
- Sapitwa Peak
3,002 m - Land borders
- 3
Malawi: things worth knowing
- Lake Malawi covers about a fifth of the country and holds more fish species than any other lake on Earth.
- Malawi is landlocked and one of the most densely populated countries in southern Africa.
- It is often called the Warm Heart of Africa, a nickname tied to its tourism image.
Malawi in context
Africa has 54 sovereign countries in total. Malawi ranks 21st among them by population.
See the full list of Africa countries, or browse all 195 countries.