{{Short description|Island in Lake Malawi}} {{Infobox islands | name = Likoma Island | image_name = File:Likoma sentinel2.jpg | image_caption = [[Sentinel-2]] satellite image of the island. | image_size = | map = Malawi | map_caption = | native_name = | native_name_link = | nickname = | location = [[Lake Malawi]] | coordinates = | archipelago = Likoma Islands | total_islands = 2 | major_islands = Likoma, [[Chizumulu Island]] | area_km2 = 18 | highest_mount = | elevation_m = | country = Malawi | country_admin_divisions_title = Region | country_admin_divisions = [[Northern Region, Malawi|Northern Region]] | country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[Districts of Malawi|District]] | country_admin_divisions_1 = [[Likoma District|Likoma]] | country_capital_and_largest_city = [[Likoma, Malawi|Likoma]] | population = 9,000 | population_as_of = | density_km2 = 500 | ethnic_groups = | additional_info = | map_image={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape}} |waterbody=Lake Malawi}} '''Likoma Island''' is the larger of two islands in [[Lake Malawi]], in [[East Africa]], the smaller being the nearby [[Chizumulu]]. Likoma and Chizumulu both belong to Malawi, and together they make up the [[Likoma District]]. Although both islands lie just a few kilometres from [[Mozambique]], and are entirely surrounded by Mozambican [[territorial waters]], they are both [[exclave]]s of [[Malawi]].
==Geography== The island has an overall area of 18 km<sup>2</sup>, and is located in the north-eastern part of Lake Malawi, 7 km north-west of [[Cobue]], Mozambique. The closest town on the Malawian coast is [[Chintheche]].
==History== Settlement on the Island began as a result of Slave Trading, driving Natives to flee to the Island as place of refuge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malarial prophylaxis in small isolated communities in central Africa / by R. Howard. |url=https://wellcomecollection.org/works/vzmrzg3t/items |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=Wellcome Collection |language=en}}</ref>
In 1884 Missionaries from the [[Universities' Mission to Central Africa]], in response to a plea by [[David Livingstone]], established their headquarters on Likoma Island. Due to the presence of British missionaries, the island was assigned to Malawi rather than Mozambique when national borders in East Africa were established after [[World War II]].
==Natural environment== Despite a high population density, the natural environment of Likoma island is largely unspoiled. The coast is varied, with rocky slopes, sandy bays and swamps. The interior of the island is mostly covered by [[grassland]], with a large number of baobab trees (of the ''[[Adansonia digitata]]'' species) and [[Mangifera indica|mango trees]]. Fauna is mostly composed of small [[reptile|reptilians]], [[amphibian]]s, [[bird]]s and a number of [[invertebrate]]s, including [[Platyoides|scorpion spider]]s. On the coast, [[crocodile]]s are occasionally seen. The waters around Likoma, as is usual in Lake Malawi, host a number of [[cichlids]]; some species, such as ''[[Labidochromis caeruleus|Labidochromis caeruleus likomae]]'', are [[endemism|endemic]] of the Likoma area.
==Population== Likoma is densely populated, with about 10,500 inhabitants dispersed in a dozen settlements, the main being the eponymous town of [[Likoma, Malawi|Likoma]]; the nearby island of Chizumulu has a further 4,000 inhabitants. The most represented ethnic groups are the [[Chewa people|Nyanja]] people (60%) and the [[Tonga people of Malawi|Tonga people]] (25%), followed by smaller groups of [[Tumbuka people|Tumbuka]], [[Yao people (East Africa)|Yao]], and [[Chewa people|Chewa]]. Their main economic activity is [[fishing]], although agriculture (mainly [[Oryza sativa|rice]] and [[cassava]]) is also represented. The town of Mbamba hosts a busy market. It is also the site of the [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] [[St Peter's Cathedral, Likoma|Cathedral of St Peter]], one of the largest churches in Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Malawi Tours and Safaris {{!}} View Rates and Prices (2020) : MoAfrika Tours|url=https://www.moafrikatours.com/malawi-safaris|website=MoAfrika|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref>
As a consequence of [[poverty]] and insufficient hospitals, the situation of [[public health]] on the island is critical, although [[malaria]] (which is widespread in Malawi) has not been reported. In 2005-6, Likoma has been the subject of a scientific study on the [[epidemiology]] of [[HIV]] and other sexually transmitted diseases.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Helleringer |first=Stéphane |last2=Mkandawire |first2=James |last3=Kalilani-Phiri |first3=Linda |last4=Kohler |first4=Hans-Peter |date=April 2014 |title=Cohort Profile: The Likoma Network Study (LNS) |url=https://academic.oup.com/ije/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/ije/dyt001 |journal=International Journal of Epidemiology |language=en |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=545–557 |doi=10.1093/ije/dyt001 |issn=1464-3685 |pmc=3997370 |pmid=23543589}}</ref> Despite the minimal economic development of Likoma, there are several schools serving all settlements, and [[literacy]] is thus widespread.
==Infrastructures and transportation== Likoma has no paved roads, and there are few [[motor vehicle]]s. [[Electricity]] is provided by a generator and a solar bank. This affords the island 24 hour electricity, with the exception of 1-5 minutes at around 10 pm, while they switch the power source. There is a small [[telephone network]] on the island, although telephones themselves are quite rare.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The islands of the lake|url=http://sianandsteve.weebly.com/the-islands-of-the-lake.html|website=Kaya Papaya|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref> [[Likoma Airport]] is a tarred airstrip found on the island and can be reached by plane from [[Lilongwe]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The islands of the lake|url=http://sianandsteve.weebly.com/the-islands-of-the-lake.html|website=Kaya Papaya|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref>
The island's main transportation is the {{MV|Ilala}} [[Steamboat|steamer]] that circumnavigates Lake Malawi, stopping at the main settlements and the islands. The {{MV|Chambo}} links the island with the town of Nkhata Bay on the west side of the lake once a week. Smaller boats (including [[dhow]]s) cross the [[strait]] between Likoma and Chizumulu, and also between Likoma and [[Cobue]] in Mozambique. Both goods and people are transported through these routes.
Likoma is a tourist destination which has a few hotels and backpacker hostels, usually based on [[ecotourism|ecotouristic]] principles. The waters around Likoma support [[snorkelling]] and [[Underwater diving|diving]].
==Notable residents== [[Grace Malenga]] was born here before going on to become Malawi's first woman doctor working in the country.<ref name="drmalenga">{{Cite journal |last=Malenga |first=Grace |date=September 2007 |title=Retiring gracefully |journal=Malawi Medical Journal: The Journal of Medical Association of Malawi |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=128–130 |issn=1995-7262 |pmc=3345631 |pmid=23878658}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery mode="packed"> File:Baobab trees likoma island.jpg|Baobab trees File:Ilala in Likoma Island.jpg|{{MV|Ilala}} File:Chiponde.jpg|alt= </gallery>
==References== {{commons category|Likoma Island}} {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110417063116/http://www.malawitourism.com/Pages/The%20Regions/North/likoma.html Likoma Island at Malawi Tourism] *[http://www.go2africa.com/malawi/central-lakeshore/likoma-island/ Likoma Island at Go2Africa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927235320/http://www.go2africa.com/malawi/central-lakeshore/likoma-island/ |date=2007-09-27 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110716192559/http://www.tarantism.com/mefloquine/lakemalawi.html Travel diary of Chris Farrell] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20130914174849/http://sunriseinnmalawi.com/ Sunrise Inn, Likoma]
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[[Category:Lake Malawi]] [[Category:Lake islands of Malawi]] [[Category:Geography of the Northern Region, Malawi]] [[Category:Likoma District]]