DOWA HIGHLANDS

also called Chitembwe-mwera Highlands, central Malawi, rectangular formation covering an area of about 360 square miles (930 sq km); they comprise rolling hills crowned by high ridges including the heights of Dowa (5,571 feet ) and Ntchisi peaks. The highlands are bounded on three sides by steep slopes, forming the Eastern (Great) Rift Valley wall to the east and overlooking the Bua and Lilongwe river valleys to the north and south, respectively. Their western limit is marked by a series of hills leading onto the central plains. Mountain streams form a radial drainage pattern contributing to the Lilongwe and Bua rivers and Lake Nyasa; the eastern streams have periods of heavy flood. The highland's red loam soils support woodland.