[2] Internationally, it borders the country of Mozambique to the east, west, and south.

[2] Of the 28 districts in Malawi, 13 are located within the Southern Region: Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Machinga, Mangochi, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje, Phalombe, Thyolo, and Zomba.

[3] It is also home to the Zomba Plateau as well as Mount Mulanje (the highest point in the country).

[4] During July, the region sometimes experiences a damp fog, locally known as chiperoni.

[5] As of 1969, they made up about one third of the country's national slaughter,[5] and the region had a population of about 78,998 cows.