Lake Malawi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Malawi |
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View from orbit
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| Coordinates | 12°11′S 34°22′E / 12.183°S 34.367°E |
| Type | Rift lake |
| Primary inflows | Ruhuhu River |
| Primary outflows | Shire River |
| Basin countries | Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania |
| Max. width | 75 km |
| Surface area | 29,600 km2 (11,400 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 292 m |
| Max. depth | 706 m |
| Water volume | 8,400 km³ |
| Surface elevation | 500 meters above sea level |
| Islands | Likoma and Chizumulu islets |
Lake Malawi (also known as Lake Nyasa or Lake Niassa) is a huge freshwater lake in Africa. It is located in the southern part of the East African Rift system. This amazing lake is shared by three countries: Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Lake Malawi is a truly impressive body of water. It is the third largest lake in Africa and the second deepest. In the entire world, it ranks as the ninth largest lake. Imagine how big that is!
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Naming the Lake
The lake has different names depending on the country. In Malawi, it's called Lake Malawi. But in Mozambique and Tanzania, it's known as Lake Nyasa. This difference comes from history.
Why Two Names?
Before 1964, the country we now call Malawi was a British colony named Nyasaland. When Nyasaland became an independent country, it changed its name to Malawi. However, Mozambique and Tanzania continued to use the older name, Lake Nyasa. This is why you hear both names for the same lake!
A Rift Valley Lake
Lake Malawi is a special type of lake called a "rift lake." This means it formed in a rift valley.
How Rift Valleys Form
A rift valley is a long, narrow valley created when the Earth's tectonic plates pull apart. Over millions of years, these movements cause the land to sink, forming deep depressions. When these depressions fill with water, they become rift lakes. Lake Malawi is incredibly deep because it sits in one of these massive cracks in the Earth's surface.
Wildlife and Ecosystem
Lake Malawi is famous for its incredible variety of fish, especially a type called cichlids. It has more species of fish than any other lake in the world!
Amazing Fish Life
The lake is home to hundreds of different kinds of cichlids. Many of these fish are found nowhere else on Earth. They come in all sorts of colors and shapes, making the lake a vibrant underwater world. Scientists study them to understand how new species develop.
Other Animals
Besides fish, you can find other interesting animals around the lake. African fish eagles soar above, looking for their next meal. You might also see huge swarms of tiny "lake flies" that look like smoke rising from the water.
Importance to People
The lake is very important for the people living nearby. It provides food, water, and a way to travel.
Fishing and Food
Many people living around Lake Malawi rely on fishing for their food and income. Fish like the Lake Malawi sardine (called usipa) are caught and dried in the sun. This provides a vital source of protein for local communities.
Transport and Tourism
The lake also serves as a natural highway, allowing people to travel between different towns and villages by boat. It's also a popular spot for tourists who come to enjoy its beautiful beaches and amazing underwater life.
Images for kids
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Topographic profile of Lake Malawi's rift shoulder
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A jetty juts into the lake at Nkhata Bay
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An African fish eagle catching a fish in Lake Malawi
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Lake Malawi sardines (Engraulicypris sardella) spread out to dry on the shore of the lake
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The kampango (Bagrus meridionalis), one of the largest catfish, reaching up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length
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Huge swarms of lake flies (Chaoborus edulis), resembling distant plumes of smoke over the water
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Lake Malawi (1967)
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Mwaya Beach
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Beach at Cape Maclear near Monkey Bay
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See also
In Spanish: Lago Malaui para niños
