POPULATION:
8.5 million
LITERACY RATE:
36%
SELF DEFENSE FORCES:
 EDF
LANGUAGES:
 English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally 
ETHNIC GROUPS:
Malawians
BORDERING COUNTRIES:
Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia 
MALAWI- Malawi is a very small country, but one rich with natural beauty.  Unfortunately rampant crime in the late 90's, which set in just after the country deposed its tyrannical leaders have given the country ill reputation.  It finally conceded to EEC protectorship under pressure from neighboring Mozambique and Tanzania.  Malawi now acts as a buffer between The EEC protected countries and Zambia.  With the exception of the European Military presence in Malawi it is pretty much on its own.   This isn't as bad for Malawi as it may seem, as the foreign military has drastically reduced most of the crime (although many of the criminals have fled to Zambia to join their ranks, or gone underground as rebels against EDF and EEC installations.  Recently Malawi has become more aggressive towards the EEC due to lost trade with Zambia, and the Zambian forces have been moving into the borders and attacking the EDF directly, usually aided by Malawian rebels........ this has begun putting severe strain on the EEC groups controlling the country, as the Malawi government has done everything short of open support for these anti EEC incursions.  Regardless of the true feelings of the Malawi government, it cannot afford to give open support to the rebels and intruding armies, as it can not afford to wage war on the Zambianese, nor can it survive the loss of EEC financial backing.

(Written by Deric "D" Bernier)