Lake Malawi is the largest lake in Malawi and the southernmost lake in Africa’s Great Rift Valley.
The lake is also called Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique. It occupies a long, deep rift valley between Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Malawi has the greatest share of its shoreline, while the lake’s northern and eastern margins reach Tanzania and Mozambique.
Lake Malawi is famous for its exceptional freshwater fish diversity, especially its many endemic cichlid species. Fishing, transport, tourism, and agriculture all contribute to the importance of the lake for surrounding communities.
It should not be confused with Lake Tanganyika, which lies farther north and is considerably deeper. Lake Malawi is also different from Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake by surface area.