Mchinji, Malawi

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Mchinji is a district in the Central Region of Malawi. As of 2008 estimates, Mchinji District had a population of 458,556. The area's economy is sustained by rain-fed agriculture. Mchinji Boma, located at 12 km from the Zambian Border and 109 km from Lilongwe the Capital City of Malawi, is the major hub of government and general business. It has a major railroad junction, being the railhead nearest to Zambia.HistoryMchinji Boma was formerly known as Fort Manning, after governor William Manning. Fort Manning was called a "fort" because the local government offices (the "boma") were once fortified.In 1930, Fort Manning was attacked by a lion that caused over thirty-six deaths over a five-month period.A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Mchinji on 10 March 1989. At least 9 people were killed, 100 injured and about 50,000 left homeless in Malawi. It was also felt in Zambia.American pop singer Madonna adopted 13-month-old David Banda from Mchinji in October 2006. This generated international controversy because Malawian law stated that one year of residence was required of potential adoptive parents. The effort was highly publicised and culminated in legal disputes.On 19 June 2008 Gillian Merron, the British Minister for International Development, responsible for Africa, visited Mchinji and spoke about maternal health and the challenges faced by residents.GeographyMchinji Boma lies at an elevation of, from the Zambian border. It is situated away from Katambo, away from Kadulama Lambo, away from Daka and away from Tsumba.

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