Likoma District

Likoma is the smallest of 28 districts in Malawi. As a small enclave in the Mozambican territorial waters in Lake Malawi is the only district about 5 kilometers from the shore of Lake Malawi located on the side of Mozambique.

Geography

The corresponding to the Northern Region district extends over two small islands, Likoma, the same name as the district name and the island Chizumulu. There are 46 kilometers of Chizumulu seen from the mainland to the Malawian side, the nearest port of Nkhata Bay is 55 kilometers away. The two islands are separated by 10 kilometers.

Population

10,445 people (2008), which are spread over both islands, living in an area of only 18 square kilometers. Despite this relatively small area, the population grew in the years 1998-2008 to 29.4 %, which was only about two percentage points below the national average. The leader among the districts based on population density but is Likoma. With 580 inhabitants per km ² of the district is almost twice as high as the next following. But He is also compared to Lilongwe with 1467 I / km ² the city level very close. Even with the number of people per household Likoma is included with 5.2 Leader in Malawi cities.

Ethnically originated from the majority of the population of the Nyanja and Tonga, where most Nyanja is mainly spoken and appear more on the island Chizumulu dialects as Cobue and Tonga. 99 % of the population are Christian and predominantly belong to the Anglican Church.

Economy

Tourism plays a role. There are a few lodges for backpackers and for the middle standard. The district administration and the Malawian government is trying to develop two islands for tourism.