Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in
Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May
to November)
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded
hills, some mountains
lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary
with Mozambique 37 m
highest point: Mount Mlanje Sapitwa 3,002 m
Natural resources: limestone, unexploited deposits of uranium,
coal, and bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 20%
forest and woodland: 50%
other: 5%
Irrigated land: 200 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution
from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of
spawning grounds endangers fish populations
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People ———