Flag Description

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered on the black band; black represents the native peoples, red the blood shed in their struggle for freedom, and green the color of nature; the rising sun represents the hope of freedom for the continent of Africa

Background:Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in May 2009. He oversaw some economic improvement in his first term, but was accused of economic mismanagement and poor governance in his second term. He died abruptly in April 2012 and was succeeded by his vice president, Joyce BANDA, who had earlier started her own party, the People's Party (PP). Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.

Total Area: 118,484 sq km

Land Area:94,080 sq km

Water Area:24,404 sq km

Land Boundries Total:2,857 km

Border Countries:Mozambique 1,498 km, Tanzania 512 km, Zambia 847 km

Coastline:0 km (landlocked)

Lowest Point:junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m

Highest Point:Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

Population:17377468

Population Growth Rate:3.33% (2014 est.)

Religion:Christian 82.6%, Muslim 13%, other 1.9%, none 2.5% (2008 est.)

Literacy(%):0.748

Literacy(%) Male:0.811

Literacy(%) Female:68.5% (2010 est.)

Independence Day:6 July 1964 (from the UK)

National Holiday:Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)

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