Physical geography of the African countries of Malawi, Rwanda, and Zambia, including maps

Malawi (see map below) is a landlocked country on the southeastern side of the African continent, near the end of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, which is its eastern boundary. Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) occupies most of the rift valley on the eastern border of the country. The terrain is a narrow elongated plateau of rounded hills, plains, and some mountains. The highest point is Mount Mulanje, at 10,000 ft. (3,000 m).

Malawi lies 13 degrees south of the equator, is subtropical, with a dry season May to November, and a rainy season November to May. It's hot and humid during the rainy season. 23% of the land is fit for cultivation, 50% is woodlands, 20% is pastureland. Total area is 45,735 sq. miles (118,484 sq km). Lilongwe is the capital.

Lake Nyasa is Malawi's most prominent feature. Its waters are very clear (up to 70 feet depth), with a high alkaline content. Its area is 11,430 sq. miles, 365 miles long, and 53 miles wide at its widest point. It runs north/south. The maximum depth is about 2,300 feet. It is the third largest lake on the African continent, after Victoria and Tanganyika, and ninth largest lake in the world.

Rwanda (see map below) is a landlocked country in east central Africa along the western branch of the Great Rift Valley, which is its western border. Lake Kivu, on the western side, lies within the valley. North of it are the Virunga Mountains, which are of volcanic origin. Some are still active volcanoes. This is a habitat of the mountain gorilla. The highest point in the country, at 14,787 ft. (4,507 m), is the volcano Karisimbi. The Virunga Mountains are part of the rift system. From the rift in the west, to the east, the altitude declines, and is mostly made up of grassy hills/uplands. The climate is temperate, with two rainy seasons each year, February to April and November to January. Frost and snow occur in the mountainous regions.

Rwanda lies 2 degrees south of the equator. 35% of the land is fit for cultivation. Forests make up 22%, and pasturelands 18%. Total area is 10,169 square miles (26,338 sq km). Kigali, in central Rwanda, has an average annual temperature of 66° F, and rainfall of 40 inches.

Lake Kivu in Rwanda is quite interesting. A rift valley lake, it contains high amounts of carbon dioxide and methane. These gases are concentrated at the bottom, but an overturn of the lake could have deadly results, such as what happened at Lake Nyos, Cameroon in August of 1986, when some unknown event caused the carbon dioxide to come to the surface and be released, suffocating all living things in its path. Volcanoes on the lake's rim occasionally erupt, sending lava into the lake. Though it hasn't happened recently, such an event could cause an overturn. The methane in the lake is an untapped treasure, but could also cause explosions in the event of an overturn.

Called the Land of a Thousand Hills, the area of Rwanda that is north of the lake is considered spectacular, and safaris are a popular tourist attraction. The Virunga chain of volcanoes dominates the landscape, and are home to the greatest concentration of the nearly extinct mountain gorillas.

Zambia (see map below) is a landlocked country on the south central African continent, west of Malawi. The southernmost end of the western branch of the Great Rift Valley lies in the northeastern section of Zambia, along the Luangwa River. Most of the terrain is a high plateau, with some hills and mountains; savannah vegetation abounds, and some forests. The highest point is in the Mafinga Hills. Famous Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River, lies on the Zimbabwe border in southern Zambia.

Zambia is rich in minerals: coal, cobalt, copper, gold, lead, silver, uranium, and zinc. Gemstones include amethyst, aquamarine, beryl, emeralds, tourmaline, and garnets. Though the presence of certain geologic structures, such as kimberlite pipes, point to the presence of diamonds, no commerical deposits have been found.

Zambia lies 15 degrees south of the equator. Its climate is tropical, with some modification due to altitude. The rainy season is October to April. 7% of the land is arable. Zambia has major problems with air and water pollution, poaching, deforestation, desertification, and erosion. Disease problems include AIDS, hepatitis, typhus, malaria, plague.

Of particular interest in Zambia is its abundant wildlife, including lions, zebras, giraffes, crocodiles, hippos, various antelope, leopards, many birds. Considered one of the best locations for viewing wildlife is Luangwa National Park, where the concentration is quite dense. Luangwa is located along the Great Rift Valley. Besides the wildlife, the topography of the rift is considered quite spectacular.

On the map of Africa, below, the red countries are Malawi and Rwanda. The blue country west of Malawi is Zambia. The heavy black lines trace the Great Rift Valley fault system.

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