The Republic of Malawi (formerly Nyasaland), located in southeastern Africa to the west of Lake Malawi (Nyasa), has an area of 45,747 sq. mi. (118,484 sq. km.) and a population of 10.98 million. Capital: Lilongwe. The economy is predominantly agricultural. Tobacco, tea, peanuts, and cotton are exported. ,Although the Portuguese, heirs to the restless spirit of Prince Henry, were the first Europeans to reach the Malawi area, the first meaningful contact was made by missionary-explorer Dr. David Livingstone who arrived at Lake Malawi on September 16, 1859, and remained to make extensive explorations in the 1860s. Subsequent clashes between settlements of Scottish missionaries and Arab slave traders, and the procurement of development rights by Cecil Rhodes, 1884, stimulated British interest and brought about the establishment of the Nyasaland protectorate in 1891. In 1953, Nyasaland reluctantly joined the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and, after prolonged protest, was granted self-government within the federation. Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi on July 6, 1964 and became a republic two years later. It was a one party dictatorship lasting 30 years until 1994 when elections returned Malawi to a multi-party democracy. Malawi is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The president is the Chief of State and Head of Government.,, ,See also Rhodesia and Nyasaland.,, Rulers:,,, ,British to 1964,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Pound = 20 Shillings to 1971,, ,1 Kwacha = 100 Tambala 1971-,,