PIN: ALGERIA, MAUARITANIA, AND MALAWI

About

Algeria officially the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a State of North Africa which is a part of the Maghreb of North Africa. (Maghreb region comprises essentially the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plain of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya)

• Languages: Arabic and Tamazight.
• Religion: Sunni Islam.
• Currency: Algerian dinar.

Bordering States

East: Tunisia and Libya

South: Niger, Mali, and Mauritania

West: Morocco and Western Sahara (which has been virtually incorporated by the former)

North: the Mediterranean Sea. 

Relief

The relief of Algeria consists of three large groups: 

• Tell in the North, 
• The highlands and the Saharan Atlas in the center, 
• The Sahara in the South.

Climate

The climate is of Mediterranean type on all the northern fringe which includes the Littoral and Tell Atlas (hot and dry summers, wet and cool winters), semi-arid.

Member Country

Algeria is a member of the United Nations (UN), of the African Union (AU) and the League of Arab States almost since independence in 1962. It joined the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1969.

About

It is located on the Atlantic coast of Africa and forms a bridge between North African Maghrib (a region that also includes Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) and the westernmost portion of sub-Saharan Africa.

It is the eleventh largest country of the continent and consists of desert largely.

• Capital: Nouakchott
• Languages: Arabic (official), French, Soninke, Pulaar & Wolof.
• Religion: Islam
• Currency: Mauritanian Ouguiya.

Bordering States

Northeast: Algeria

East and Southeast: Mali

Southwest: Senegal

Its Atlantic Ocean coastline, to the west, extends for 700 km from the delta of the Senegal River northward to Cape Blanco Peninsula.

Relief

Mauritania may be divided into three principal geologic zones: 

• Precambrian rock, 
• Synclinal basin of Taoudeni, 
• Senegalese-Mauritanian sedimentary basin.

Climate

The climate is dry, hot, and windy, and is severely exposed to the effects of desertification.

Member Country

Mauritania is a member of the United Nations and the African Union.

About

Republic of Malawi and formerly known as Nyasaland is a landlocked country situated in southeastern Africa. It is known as the "Warm Heart of Africa" due to the friendly and hospitable nature of its people.

• Capital: Lilongwe
• Languages: English and Chichewa (Chewa).
• Religion: Christian
• Currency: Malawian kwacha.

Bordering States

North West: Zambia

North East: Tanzania

East, south, and southwest: Mozambique

Relief

It occupies a narrow, curving strip of land along the East African Rift Valley. Lake Nyasa, known in Malawi as Lake Malawi, accounts for more than one-fifth of the country’s total area.

The highlands comprise the Nyika, Viphya, and Dowa highlands, and Dedza-Kirk mountain range in the north and west, and the Shire Highlands in the south.

Climate

There are two main seasons—the dry season and the wet season.

Economy

Malawi's economy is primarily based on agriculture, with the majority of the population engaged in subsistence farming.

The main agricultural products include tobacco, tea, sugarcane, coffee, and maize.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Malawi shares a land border with which of the following countries?

1. Zambia
2. Tanzania
3. Mozambique
4. Zimbabwe

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2, and 3 only

(c) 1, 3, and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: b

Explanation:

Malawi is a south-east African country bordered by Zambia, the United Republic of Tanzania and Mozambique. It is narrow and landlocked but has a 750-kilometre-long border with Lake Malawi (also called Lake Nyasa).