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___ Swaziland

A virtual guide to Swaziland. An overview of Swaziland's art, culture, people, environment, and government.
Country profile with maps, weather information, and links to sources with information about this South African nation, e.g.: official web sites of Swaziland, addresses of Swaziland's and foreign embassies, domestic airlines, local news, city- and country guides with extensive travel and tourism information on accommodation, tourist attractions, events and more.

King Sobhuza II Memorial Park
King Sobhuza II Memorial Park © SNTC
Photo: Paul Schanguin
  

Kingdom of Swaziland | eSwatini

Country Profile


Swaziland Flag
Flag of Swaziland

Background:
Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted 1968.
Student and labor unrest during the 1990s have pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)


border countries: Mozambique, South Africa

related countries: United Kingdom
 
where in Africa is Swaziland
Official Name:
Umbuso weSwatini
short form: eSwatini
int'l long form: Kingdom of Swaziland
int'l short form: Swaziland

ISO Country Code: sz

Time:
Local Time = UTC +2h
Actual Time: Sun-Nov-8  00:57

Capital City: Mbabane (capital, pop. 60 000)
Lobamba (the royal and legislative capital)

Other Cities: Manzini (principal commercial city)

Government:
Type: Monarchy
Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK)
Constitution: the first constitution was signed into law in July 2005 and is scheduled to be implemented in January 2006.

Geography:
Location: Landlocked, in East Southern Africa, almost completely surrounded by South Africa.
Area: 17 363 sq. km. (6 704 sq. miles).
Terrain: Mountainous plateau to savanna.
Highest point: Emlembe 1 862 m

Climate: Wet summers, dry winters, from near temperate to sub-tropical and tropical (the seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere).

People:
Nationality: Swazi(s).
Population (2004): 1.1 million.
Ethnic Groups: Swazis 97%, European 3%.
Religion (est:): 35% Protestant, 30% Zionist (indigenous), 25% Roman Catholic, 1% Islamic, with the remaining 9% divided among other beliefs.
Official Languages: siSwazi and English.
Literacy: 76.7%.

Natural resources: Asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc.

Agriculture products: Sugarcane, cotton, maize, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts, cattle.

Industries: Mining (coal, raw asbestos), textiles, wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates.

Exports partners: South Africa 65%, EU 12%, Mozambique 11%, USA 5% (2004)

Imports partners: South Africa 84%, EU 5%, Japan 2%, Singapore 2% (2004)

Currency: Emalangeni (SZL)

Source: Government of Swaziland and others.
 

Note: External links will open in a new browser window.

Official Sites of Swaziland


royal HM King Mswati III
The King's Office.


The Swaziland Government
The official Web site of the Swaziland Government.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Site with information about the ministry.

Diplomatic Missions
Swaziland High Commission of Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada.
Swaziland's Missions Abroad
Address list of Swaziland's Missions Abroad.


Weather
Swaziland Meteorological Service
The National Meteorological Authority provides also weather forecasts.

Maps

Map of Swaziland
Political Map of Swaziland.
Google Earth Google Earth Swaziland
Zoomable satellite view of Swaziland.
Google Earth Google Earth Mbabane
Zoomable satellite view of Swaziland's capital city.
Google Earth Google Earth Lobamba
Zoomable satellite view of the royal and legislative capital of Swaziland.

to Map of Africa
Political Map of Africa.

Swaziland/Silotfwane 
Nature Reserve - Malolotja, Silotfwane mountain
© SNTZ, Photo: Bob Forrester

News

The Swazi Observer
Swazi daily.

The Times of Swaziland
Swaziland and South African News.

Mail & Guardian
Leading newspaper from South Africa, covers all Africa with current information.

IRIN
UN news from the region.

 

 

Arts & Culture

Indingilizi Art & Craft Gallery
A commercial gallery in Swaziland with portraits of Swazi artists.

Cultural Resources - Swaziland National Museum
Museum for the natural and cultural heritage of the Swazi and Southern African peoples.

Swazi Culture
About lifestyle and ceremonies of Swazi culture.

Mantenga Cultural Village
The cultural village is a living museum of all things traditional and represents a classical Swazi lifestyle during the 1850's.
 
Swaziland/Nsangwini Birdmen.
Rock paintings at Nsangwini © SNTC, Photographer: Bob Forrester
 

Business & Economy

Central Bank of Swaziland
The Monetary Authority of Swaziland.

Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA)
SIPA's Mission is to promote and facilitate foreign direct and local investment in Swaziland.

The Swaziland Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Site for business information in Swaziland.

Swaziland Sugar Association
Sugar makes a major contribution to Swaziland's economy.

Transportation
Royal Swazi Airlines
Site with information about the national carrier.
 
 

Destination Swaziland - Travel and Tour Guides

Discover Swaziland: Swaziland though very small in size has four different regions: the Lubombo mountain ridge, the Highveld with an average altitude of 1200 meters, Middleveld, the most densely populated region and less populated Lowveld a typical African bush country. The administrative districts are: Hhohho, Lubombo, Manziniand Shiselweni.
Find information about accommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, adventure caving, biking, white water rafting, paragliding, tours and much more by visit the links below.

Swaziland Tourism
The Official Swaziland Tourism Site with all the information for traveller.

Swaziland Discovery
The Official Guide of the Swaziland Tourism Authority.

Big Game Parks
A guide to the Wildlife and National Parks, Swaziland's Heritage.

What's Happening in Swaziland
Local events around the country.

Cities
Mbabane
The story of a city.

Tour Operator
Swazi Trails
The Kingdom's tour operator will lead you in the tracks of ancient kings, warriors and adventurers.
 
 Books about Travel in Swaziland

US books 

Travel Guides Swaziland
   Travel Guides Swaziland
   Guide de tourisme et voyages en Swaziland (in French)
UK books  Swaziland Travel Guides
fr books  Guide de tourisme et voyages en Swaziland
German books  German Books: Reiseführer Swaziland

 Malolotja Nature Reserve
Malolotja Nature Reserve © SNTC
Photo: Niall Enright

Education

University of Swaziland
The Official website with information about the University of Swaziland and its faculties.
 
 

Environment & Nature

Swaziland National Trust Commission
A parastatal organisation responsible for the conservation of nature and the cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Swaziland.
Swaziland Environment Authority
SEA, government agency for the protection, conservation and enhancement of the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources.

NGO
Yonge Nawe
NGO that campaigns on issues of environment and sustainable development.

Nature
Big Game Parks
A guide to the Wildlife and National Parks Hlane, Mlilwane, and Mkhaya, Swaziland's Heritage.

Mbuluzi Game Park and Nature Reserve
Habitat of over 300 species of birds, including some rare and uncommon species.

The Natural History Society of Swaziland
The Society provides a field guide to Swaziland's wildlife.
 
 

History

Short History of Swaziland
Short article about Swaziland's history.
History of Swaziland
Chronological Facts and Figures.
Swazi History
From Olden Times to Modern Swazi History.
 

Search

Africa Online (Swaziland)
Swaziland portal.
Swazi.com
Swaziland internet portal.

Additional Information about Swaziland

Africa South of Sahara (Karen Fung) Swaziland
BBC News Country Profile: Swaziland
Index on Africa: Country pages: Swaziland
Open Directory Project: Swaziland
Wikipedia Swaziland
The World Factbook -- Swaziland


 
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The Swaziland page was last modified on: Friday, 24-Jul-2009 19:07:14 CEST


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