Malawi Geography Profile 2000

Location

Southern Africa, east of Zambia

Geographic coordinates

13 30 S, 34 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total:118,480 sq km
land:94,080 sq km
water:24,400 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries

total:2,881 km
border countries:Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)

Terrain

narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains

Elevation extremes

lowest point:junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m
highest point:Sapitwa 3,002 m

Natural resources

limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite

Land use

arable land:34%
permanent crops:0%
permanent pastures:20%
forests and woodland:39%
other:7% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land

280 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards

NA

Environment - current issues

deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations

Environment - international agreements

party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea

Geography - note

landlocked