Malawi: Geography

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country from north to south, and to the east of the valley lies Lake Malawi. The Shire River flows from the south end of the lake and joins the Zambezi River 250 miles (400 km) farther south in Mozambique. In the mountainous sections of Malawi surrounding the Rift Valley, plateaus rise generally 3,000 to 4,000 feet (910 to 1,200 m) above sea level, although some rise as high as 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in the north. To the south of Lake Malawi lie the Shire Highlands, gently rolling land at approximately 3,000 feet (910 m) above sea level. In this area, the Zomba and Mulanje mountain peaks rise to respective heights of 7,000 feet (2,100 m) and 10,000 feet (3,000 m).