Lake Malawi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Malawi
View from orbit
Coordinates	12°11′S 34°22′E / 12.183°S 34.367°E / -12.183; 34.367
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 (or Lake Nyasa, Lake Niassa) is a lake in Africa. It is the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system. It is shared between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. Before Malawi became independent in 1964, the territory was called Nyasaland. For this reason, Mozambique and Tanzania call the lake Lake Nyasa.

Lake Malawi is the third largest and second deepest lake in Africa. It is the ninth largest lake in the world.

Images for kids

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  Topographic profile of Lake Malawi's rift shoulder

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  Dashed line: current Malawi border Dotted line: Tanzanian claim

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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

See also

In Spanish: Lago Malaui para niños