town, southern Malawi (Malaŵi). It lies along the west bank of the Shire River and is situated north of the Ndindi Marsh. The nation's southernmost town, it serves as a customs post on the Mozambique border and is a trade and transportation centre on the north-south Blantyre-Beira railway (completed 1935). The surrounding area occupies the fertile western Shire valley, and cotton, tobacco, rice, and corn (maize) are the chief products. Pop. (1998) 16,987.