From May to August it is cool and dry, July is the mid winter month. In September, it is hot and dry with October and November as the hottest months. Around Lake Malawi the climate is particularly dry with cooling breezes and record mean daily temperatures ranging from 26 C in January to 21 C in July. Tobacco, tea, coffee and sugar are the main cash crops. Tobacco is largely grown in the highlands and sugar in the lower Shire valley.
Tourism lies fourth as a foreign exchange earner.
The total population is approximately 11,000,000. The City also has a museum and zoo. Another feature one should not fail to see is St. Michael's and All Angels Church completed in 1891, built by the Rev. Scott and team of local workmen with no knowledge of architecture of building techniques. Nature sanctuary and education centre is worth visiting.