Malawi was known as
Nyasaland until 1964. It covers an area of 118,484 square kilometres (45,747 square miles). It is more than
830 kilometres (520 miles) long and up to 160 kilometres (100 miles) wide. Malawi is bounded by Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia.
The East African Rift Valley is the
most prominent physical feature and runs along the eastern border and contains
Lake Nyasa which is the third largest lake in Africa and also one of the
deepest lakes in the world! Travelling north, the land rises to more than
2,400 metres (8,000 feet) in the Nyika Plateau. Another major feature is Mount
Mulanje, it is 3,000 metres (9,843 feet) high and therefore the country's
highest point. The Shire is Malawi's main river and is the only outlet of Lake
Nyasa.
