_#_Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa,
Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe,
Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ncheu,
Nkhata Bay, Nkhota Kota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba

_#_Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK; formerly Nyasaland)

_#_Constitution: 6 July 1964; republished as amended January 1974

_#_Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

_#_National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964)

_#_Executive branch: president, Cabinet

_#_Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly

_#_Judicial branch: High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government—President Dr. Hastings Kamuzu BANDA (since 6 July 1966; sworn in as President for Life 6 July 1971)