Likoma Island
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Likoma Island is the larger of two inhabited islands in Lake Nyasa (known in Malawi but nowhere else as Lake Malawi) the smaller being the nearby Chizumulu island which together make up the Likoma District. Both these islands lie just a few kilometres from Mozambique, and are entirely surrounded by Mozambican territorial waters, but belong to Malawi. They are therefore exclaves of Malawi. This came about because the islands were colonised by Anglican missionaries spreading east from Malawi, rather than by the Portuguese who colonised Mozambique.
Likoma is serviced by an airstrip and can be reached by plane from Lilongwe or by steamer from the port of Nkhata Bay on the mainland of Malawi. Smaller boats including dhows cross the strait between Likoma and Chizumulu, and also between Likoma and Cobwe in Mozambique.
The island supports a population of about 9,000 people. Their economic activities include fishing and some agriculture. The island must import most of its food, however. There is electricity on the island, but only until 11pm when it is usually switched off to save generator fuel. There are several unpaved roads running a handful of cars, but walking is the only practical transport. A notable feature of the island is its cathedral in the main town, which is built of stone and is of considerable size. Its construction began in 1903. There is a hotel on the island called Kaya Mawa as well as a backpackers called Mango Drift.
The island is covered mostly by grassland, but has large numbers of baobab trees. Mango trees are also present. [1]
