Malawi Travel Guide from Direct Travel Insurance

HOME

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Single Trip Insurance Annual Travel Insurance Ski Insurance Backpacker Insurance

HOLIDAY EXTRAS

Airport Parking Airport Hotels

TRAVEL GUIDES

Country Guides Ski Guides

Malawi

Country Facts Health Alert Risk Media

Intro Geography People Travel Where to Go Embassies & Visas Finance Cities/Regions

Quick Facts

Region:

Africa

Full Name:

Republic of Malawi

Capital City:

Lilongwe

Language Spoken:

Chichewa 57.2% (official),
Chinyanja 12.8%,
Chiyao 10.1%,
Chitumbuka 9.5%,
Chisena 2.7%,
Chilomwe 2.4%,
Chitonga 1.7%,
other 3.6% (1998 census)

Risk Rating Watch What is this?

Personnel risk: MODERATE
Evacuation risk: LOW

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 which came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, has struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor, who still leads their shared political party. MUTHARIKA's anti-corruption efforts have led to several high-level arrests and one prominent conviction. Increasing corruption, population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for the country.

A personal risk rating is assigned to countries by assessing a range of factors including: the frequency and seriousness of violent crime in the country; the degree of political, economical and societal unrest; government stability; the potential for internal and external conflicts and; the presence and capabilities of terrorists, insurgents or other militant groups.

The Major Disruptions/Evacuation risk level for a country is assigned by assessing a range of factors about the country, with emphasis on the short and medium term potential for major disruptions that could force business operations to shut down and/or the evacuation of personnel.