Background Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution, which took full effect the following year. National multiparty elections were held again in 1999.

NOTE: The information regarding Malawi on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Malawi Introduction 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Malawi Introduction 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.