town, south-central Malawi (Malaŵi), on the Shire River below its efflux from Lake Nyasa (Malawi) and 5 miles (8 km) south of its entrance into Lake Malombe. The town began as a British colonial defense post founded by the colonial administrator Sir Harry Johnston in the 1890s on the littoral plain of the river's western shore. It developed as an agricultural centre and has marine-engineering shops. Local cash crops include tobacco, cotton, and peanuts (groundnuts). Rice and corn (maize) are intensively grown along the lakeshores, and commercial fishing is important. The surrounding region is mainly inhabited by the Yao people. Pop. (1998) 26,570.