often been slow. This is partly because
many people wish to preserve the natural
beauty of the state. Maine’s population
has grown slowly as well.
..More to explore
Augusta
Camden is a scenic town on the coast of the
U.S. state of Maine.
Facts About
MAINE
Flag
Population
(2000 census)
1,274,923—
rank, 40th state;
(2008 estimate)
1,316,456—
rank, 40th state
Capital
Augusta
Area
35,385 sq mi
(91,646 sq km)—
rank, 39th state
Statehood
March 15, 1820
Motto
Dirigo (I Direct)
State bird
Chickadee
State flower
White pine cone
and tassel
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Maine 23
Maize
#see Corn.
Majuro
Majuro is the capital of the Marshall
Islands, a country in the Pacific Ocean.
Majuro is an atoll, or a ring of coral
islands surrounding a pool of water.
Majuro is home to almost half the
people of the Marshall Islands. Most of
the people of Majuro live on three small,
connected islands. These islands have
government buildings, a college, and a
cultural museum.
Most of the Marshall Islands’ economic
activity takes place in Majuro. Many
people have jobs in government or tourism.
Fish and coconut processing are big
industries.
AfterWorldWar II the Marshall Islands
were governed by the United States. The
U.S. government gave up control in
1986. Then Majuro became the capital
of the independent Marshall Islands.
#More to explore
Coral • Marshall Islands
Makeup
#see Cosmetics.
Malabo
Population
(2003 estimate)
92,900
Malabo is the capital of Equatorial
Guinea, a country of western Africa.
The city lies on the coast of Bioko, an
island in the Atlantic Ocean.
Malabo is Equatorial Guinea’s center of
business and banking. It is also a major
port. In addition, oil is produced off the
coast of Bioko. The oil industry brings
money to Malabo.
Hundreds of years ago Bioko was a stopping
point for slave traders. In 1827
Great Britain founded Malabo on the
island. For several years the British used
Malabo as a base for their ships. They
A diver explores a coral reef in
the waters of Majuro, the capital
of the Marshall Islands.
24 Maize BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
were working to end the area’s slave
trade. Freed slaves began to settle the
town.
For much of the 1800s and 1900s Spain
ruled Bioko and some nearby land as a
colony. Equatorial Guinea became an
independent country in 1968 with
Malabo as the country’s capital.
#More to explore
Equatorial Guinea
Malaria
Malaria is a serious disease spread by
mosquitoes. It affects people in tropical
parts of the world. Most people who get
malaria recover. Still, at least 1 million
people die from malaria each year. Most
of them are children in Africa.
Malaria is caused by tiny living things
called protozoans. Mosquitoes carry the
protozoans. When an infected mosquito
bites a person, the protozoans enter the
person’s blood. They live inside red
blood cells as parasites. They take everything
they need to live from the cells,
which kills the cells.
The symptoms, or signs, of malaria usually
begin between one week and one
month after the mosquito bite. They
include high fever, chills, and headache.
A condition called anemia is another
common effect of malaria. A person
with anemia does not have enough red
blood cells. This may cause pale skin,
weakness, and dizziness. Malaria can
also affect the organ called the spleen,
which filters the blood. It can cause the
spleen to grow too large.
Malaria can be prevented by keeping
down the number of mosquitoes in
tropical areas. People can also take medicines
that fight the disease.
#More to explore
Disease, Human • Mosquito • Parasite
• Protozoan
The bark of
the cinchona
tree contains
quinine. It has
been used to
treat malaria
since the
1600s.
Palm trees and other lush vegetation grow
along the coast of Malabo, Equatorial
Guinea. The city has a warm and rainy
climate.
In places where malaria is common, people
can use nets over their beds to prevent mosquitoes
from biting them and spreading the
disease.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Malaria 25
Malawi
The country of Malawi is located in
southeastern Africa. It lies west of Lake
Nyasa, one of the deepest lakes in the
world. Before the country gained independence
it was called Nyasaland. The
capital of Malawi is Lilongwe.
Malawi shares borders with Tanzania,
Mozambique, and Zambia. Mountains
and plateaus, or high, flat areas, cover
much of the country. A deep valley
called the Great Rift Valley runs along
Malawi’s eastern border. The valley contains
Lake Nyasa.
Grasses cover the dry, low areas. Some
trees grow on the plateaus. Evergreen
forests grow in the wettest highlands.
Malawi’s animals include antelope, buffalo,
elephants, leopards, lions, rhinoceroses,
and zebras.
Malawi’s ethnic groups include the
Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Tonga,
Lomwe, Yao, and Ngoni peoples. Most
people speak the Chichewa language.
English and other African languages are
also common. More than half of the
people are Christians. Many others follow
Islam or traditional African religions.
Most people live in rural areas.
Malawi’s economy is based on farming.
Important crops include tobacco, sugarcane,
tea, peanuts, cotton, and coffee.
Manufacturers make mainly food products,
beverages, and clothing.
