Get to Know MalawiGet to Know Malawi

This is the African country where This is the African country where The Boy Who Harnessed the WindThe Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

takes placetakes place

MalawiMalawi is a landlocked is a landlocked country in southern Africa. country in southern Africa.

It is a little smaller than It is a little smaller than Pennsylvania in area and Pennsylvania in area and

has a lake, Lake Malawi, that has a lake, Lake Malawi, that takes up 20% of its area.takes up 20% of its area.

Countries that share borders Countries that share borders with Malawi are with Malawi are

Mozambique, Tanzania, and Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia.Zambia.

MalawiMalawi ranks among the ranks among the world’s most densely world’s most densely populated and least populated and least developed countries.developed countries.

The village where The village where the Kamkwamba the Kamkwamba

family lives, family lives, MasitalaMasitala is near Kasungu, is near Kasungu,

which is in the which is in the middle of Malawi.middle of Malawi.The capital city, The capital city,

Lilongwe, is south of Lilongwe, is south of their location and their location and

about 75 miles about 75 miles away.away.

GovernmentGovernment

After earning its freedom from the British After earning its freedom from the British protectorate of Nyasaland in 1964, the protectorate of Nyasaland in 1964, the government of Malawi became a multi-government of Malawi became a multi-party democracy. party democracy.

William mentions three presidents in the William mentions three presidents in the book. The third, Bingu wa Mutharika is still book. The third, Bingu wa Mutharika is still in power, having been elected to a second in power, having been elected to a second term in 2009.term in 2009.

The Flag of MalawiThe Flag of Malawi

To hear “Mulungu dalitsa Malawi” (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi), the country’s national anthem, click here.

Life ExpectancyLife Expectancy

51 years51 years 45% of population 45% of population

is between ages is between ages of 0 – 14 yearsof 0 – 14 years

52% is 15 – 64 52% is 15 – 64 yearsyears

Median age is Median age is 17.2 years17.2 years

Health IssuesHealth Issues

HIV/AIDS: estimates are that as high HIV/AIDS: estimates are that as high as 11% of the adult population is as 11% of the adult population is infectedinfected

Very high risk of these infectious Very high risk of these infectious diseases: hepatitis A, typhoid fever, diseases: hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, choleramalaria, cholera

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

DeforestationDeforestation

Land degradationLand degradation

Water pollutionWater pollution

EconomyEconomy 80% population lives 80% population lives

in rural areasin rural areas Tobacco represents Tobacco represents

more than half of the more than half of the country’s exportscountry’s exports

Average income is Average income is $900, which ranks the $900, which ranks the country at number country at number 219 in the world219 in the world

The most important The most important crop is maize, which crop is maize, which is used to feed their is used to feed their own familiesown families

Gule WamkulaGule Wamkula

The secret gang of The secret gang of dancers wear dancers wear

costumes similar to costumes similar to this one when called this one when called

on to perform.on to perform.

Typical homes in rural areas have thatched Typical homes in rural areas have thatched roofs and are made of sunbaked mud bricks roofs and are made of sunbaked mud bricks

or of mud packed over a wooden frame.or of mud packed over a wooden frame.

What difference can one What difference can one windmill make?windmill make?