Malawi
Malawi
- Capital
- Lilongwe
- Population
- 19,129,955
- Region
- Africa
- Languages
- English, Chichewa
Malawi is home to Lake Malawi, which contains more fish species than any other lake in the entire world. It is particularly famous for its hundreds of varieties of colorful cichlids, almost all of which are found nowhere else on Earth. David Livingstone, the first European to reach the lake, famously nicknamed it 'The Lake of Stars' because the lanterns on the fishermen’s boats looked like the night sky reflecting on the water.
Currency
The national currency is the Malawian Kwacha, identified by the ISO code MWK. Introduced in 1971 to replace the Malawian pound, the name 'Kwacha' is derived from the Nyanja word for 'dawn,' symbolizing the new beginning of the nation's economic independence.
Flag symbolism
The flag features three horizontal stripes of black, red, and green, with a rising red sun centered on the black stripe. The black represents the indigenous people of the continent, while the red signifies the blood shed during the struggle for African liberation and independence. The green symbolizes the country’s lush nature and fertile land, and the rising sun represents the dawn of freedom and hope for the continent of Africa.
Emblem history
The coat of arms is supported by a lion and a leopard atop a representation of the Mlanje Mountain range. It prominently features a fish eagle perched over a rising sun and wavy blue and white lines, which symbolize the vital importance of Lake Malawi to the nation's life. This emblem was officially adopted at independence in 1964 and includes the national motto 'Unity and Freedom' on a scroll at the base.