Lake Malawi

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
View from orbit
Coordinates	12°11′S 34°22′E
Lake 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

Local boat waiting for passengers.

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

Lake Malawi Media

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  Topographic profile of Lake Malawi's rift shoulder

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  The East African Rift (red) with the Rift Valley lakes, Malawi being in the south

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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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  Own image of Lake Malawi 28 December 1967.

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  Ablutions in Lake Malawi at Mwaya Beach, between Nkhata Bay and Nkhotakota, Malawi. The children were bathing, the women washing clothes or pots - and insisted on posing for me several times as soon as they saw the camera. Dug-out canoes and dryi