Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The document discusses the life cycle and types of malaria parasites, symptoms of the disease, and methods for its control and prevention. It outlines that malaria was historically believed to be caused by "bad air" but was discovered in the late 19th century to be transmitted by mosquitoes, with Ronald Ross receiving the Nobel Prize for demonstrating this transmission.