To find out more about one of the destinations highlighted on the map of Malawi simply choose your destination/attraction and click your mouse.

For instance choose Lilongwe and you will discover the population is estimated at 597,619.  It started life as a small village.  The population has grown significantly as villagers, from the surrounding rural areas, have relocated to the capital in search of jobs.

Poverty

Across the rest of the world, absolute poverty has halved over recent decades, but in Africa it has barely fallen.

About two-fifths of the population of sub-Saharan Africa survive week by week on what someone in the UK earns from just one hour's work on the minimum wage.

Geography & Wildlife

Lake of the stars

Lake Malawi is the dominant geographical feature of the country. It runs almost the entire length of the country and is the third-largest freshwater lake in Africa. The lake lies within a deep trough along the Great Rift Valley and has existed for around two million years.

Zambia Map

Explore Zambia

Find out about some key places in Zambia, such as Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Blantyre

Malawi's largest city, Blantyre, is the country’s oldest municipality and its main commercial, industrial and communications hub. Surrounded by hills and mountains, the city’s places of interest include Mandala House which, erected in 1882, is the oldest building in Malawi and the base from which Dr Banda led Malawian's to independence.

Health

Africa has a high number of communicable diseases, which place a huge burden on healthcare systems. The vast majority of malaria cases and HIV/AIDS-related deaths occur in Africa; these two diseases currently represent the greatest threats.

With low investment in healthcare and a severe shortage of medical staff, many countries struggle to meet the health needs of their people.

Nyika National Park

Few humans inhabit the Nyika National Park, which encompasses the majority of the Nyika Plateau. However, its treeless grasslands, rolling hills and evergreen forests are home to large herds of zebra, eland, roan antelope, sable antelope, lichtenstein's hartebeest, duiker, and warthog - alongside the largest concentration of leopards in Malawi.

Lilongwe

The capital of Malawi, Lilongwe, has two distinct parts to – the Old Town, the original Lilongwe, which features busy African markets and an assortment of Asian shops, hotels and restaurants – and the New Town, which is less than 20 years old and hosts the main Government buildings.

Famine & Agriculture

A quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished and famines can impact whole regions.

Land is available to grow more food locally. But investment is needed in  technologies such as irrigation, for land to be used effectively. Farmers must also adapt to climate change if they are to feed the continent's rising population.

Foods

Africa has some of the most distinctive cuisines and flavours in the world. Food varies widely, but there are commonalities across regions. Depending on what's grown locally, dishes are also influenced by the traders, immigrants and rulers who settled across the continent. Arab, Asian and European elements blend in with traditional African cooking.

Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve

Vwaza Marsh is home to the widest variety of large mammals in Malawi, most notably elephants. The animals move freely between the reserve and the Luangwa valley in Zambia, with the hippo-heavy Lake Kazuni also luring impalas, buffaloes, zebras, hartebeests and pukus to its shores.

Development

‘People are the real wealth of a nation.’ This is the belief of the United Nations, whose Millenium Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of millions.

It helps when nations are peaceful, stable and growing economically. But even where the poorest countries focus on health, education and creating fairer societies, more Africans have the chance of a better life.

Zomba

Zomba was the first capital of Malawi and remained so until 1974, when Lilongwe took over as the capital. The city is best known for its British colonial architecture and its location at the base of the spectacular Zomba Plateau.

Games & Sports

Africa is home to arguably the oldest-recorded games and sports. While some are only known through archeology, modern-day games and sports such as Mancala/Mankala and Nubian wrestling are very much alive today.

Of course, new sports have come along to claim the attention of Africans. You may have heard of one - it's called football.

Mount Mulanje

The vast Mulanje Massif, also called Mount Mulanje, is known locally as “the island in the sky”. Comprising impressive peaks, rolling grassland and deep ravines, it rises sharply from the surrounding plains of Chiradzulu and the tea-growing Mulanje district. The mountain’s forested slopes support a sizable timber industry.

Climate

Africa is a massive continent, with a range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry, like the Sahara, Kalahari and Namib deserts. Other parts are wet or covered in tropical rainforest. Conditions also vary by altitude, from the dry salt pans of the Danakil Depression (one of the lowest points on earth) to the snowcaps (at certain times) of the highest mountains. Weather-wise, Africa has it all!

Mozambique map

Explore Mozambique

Visitors to Mozambique often stay along the country’s coastline, which boasts some of the country’s key attractions. But you’ll see from the map there are also many places of interest inland.

Monkey Bay

Monkey Bay town lies on the southern shores of Lake Malawi and is one of the main ports of the lake. Though many tourists like to come to Monkey Bay to make the most of its sandy beaches and tropical fish, the town itself is poor and living standards are generally low.

State of Children

Around one in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa don't live to see their fifth birthday and life can be tough for those who do.

What are the common challenges facing African children and how do their lives compare with those of children in the UK?

Shire River

The Shire River flows out of Lake Malawi, and into Zambia where it becomes the River Zambezi. One of the longest rivers in Malawi at 402 km long, it is a key area for tourists to visit due to its many attractions. One of the best ways to enjoy the sites is by taking a boat trip from the Liwonde National Park. Here you will be able to see hippos in the water as well as elephants, buffalo and zebra along the river banks.

War and Empire

The first humans are thought to have lived in Africa and powerful African empires formed from the medieval age onwards.

However, today's African nations were shaped by the European powers who colonised this vast continent. Having gained their independence, many African countries are still coming to terms with the legacy left by their colonisers.

Zimbabwe map

Explore Zimbabwe

Find some of the key cities, sites of interest and national parks on this map of Zimbabwe.

AfricaMonkey BayNyika National ParkVwaza Marsh Wildlife ReserveLilongweZombaBlantyreGeography & WildlifeMount MulanjeZambia MapZimbabwe mapMozambique mapShire RiverGeography & Wildlife