NYASSALAND

NYASSALAND, a region in Central Africa which was under British protection, lying round the shores of Lake Nyassa, the chief town of which was Blantyre; it was known also as the British Central Africa Protectorate, the administration being in the hands of a commissioner acting under the Foreign Office.

It was known for plantations of sugar, coffee, tobacco, &c., and almost the entire trade was with Britain.

Between 1953 and 1963, Nyasaland was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. After the Federation was dissolved, Nyasaland became independent from Britain on 6 July 1964 and was renamed Malawi.