Geography
The
district which belongs to the Northern
Region is spread over two small islands, Likoma Island which is the
main island and which has given the name to the district, and Chizumulu
Island. To the mainland on the Malawian side, it is 46 kilometers from Chizumulu,
and the nearest port of Nkhata Bay is located 55 kilometers away. The two islands are separated by 10 kilometers.
Chizumulu
Island with its territorial waters occupies an area of 101.4 kmē, while
Likoma Island and its territorial waters cover an area of 130 kmē a
total area of 231.4 kmē, whereof only 18 kmē is dry.
Demography
The
population of 10,445 persons (2008) is spread over both islands. Despite this relatively small area, the population
growt in the years 1998-2008 was 29.4%, only about two percentage points below the national average. The leader among the districts based on population density is Likoma.
580 inhabitants per kmē in the district is almost twice as high as the next
on the list. The number of persons per household is 5.2, among the highest in Malawi, including cities.
2)
Ethnically, the majority of the population comes from the Nyanja and
the Tonga, whereof Nyanja is commonly spoken, while dialects as Cobue and Tonga appear more on the
Chizumulu Island. 99% of the population are Christians who mainly belong to the Anglican Church.
3)
Economy
Tourism
is important. There are a few lodges for backpackers and for the average
tourist. The district administration and the Malawian government is trying
to develop the two islands for tourism.
