Information about Swaziland
The Kingdom of Swaziland is a small country in southern Africa, embedded between South Africa in the west and Mozambique in the east. National motto: Siyinquaba (Swati: "We are the fortress") Official language English and Swati Capital Mbabane King Mswati III Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini History Area Ranked 153rd Ê- Total 17,363 km² Ê- % water 0.9% Although remains of human settlements Population Ranked 151st of more than 100,000 years ago have Ê- Total (2001) 1,104,343 been found in Swaziland, the current Ê- Density 65/km² Swazi population migrated there Independence September 6, 1968 eventually in the 19th century. At the same time, the first whites started to Currency Lilangeni settle in the area. A 1881 convention Time zone UTC + 2 secured independence for the Swazi nation, but in practice this was not Oh God, Bestower the case. After the Boer Wars, National anthem of the Blessings Swaziland effectively became a British of the Swazi colony. The country was eventually Internet TLD .SZ granted independence on September 6, Calling Code 268 1968. Since then, Swaziland has seen a struggle between pro-democracy activists and the totalitarian monarchy. Politics The head of state is the king, which since 1986 has been King Mswati III. As the monarch, he does not only appoint the prime minister - the head of government - but also appoints a small number representatives for both chambers of the Libandla (parliament). The Senate consists of 30 members, while the House of Assembly has 65 seats, 55 of which are occupied by elected representatives (elections held every 5 years). Districts Swaziland is divided into four districts: * Hhohho * Lubombo * Manzini * Shishelweni Geography Swaziland offers a wide variety of landscapes, from the mountains along the Mozambican border to savannahs in the east and rainforest in the northwest. Several rivers flow through the country, such as the Lusutfu River. With 50,000 inhabitants, the capital city of Mbabane is the largest town in the nation; others include Manzini, Lobamba and Siteki. Economy In this small landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 80% of the population. Manufacturing features a number of agroprocessing factories. Mining has declined in importance in recent years: diamond mines have shut down because of the depletion of easily accessible reserves; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted by 1978; and health concerns have cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of soft drink concentrate, sugar, and wood pulp are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends more than two-thirds of its exports. Remittances from the Southern African Customs Union and Swazi workers in South African mines substantially supplement domestically earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. Prospects for 2002 are strengthened by the country's status as a beneficiary of the US African Growth and Opportunity Act initiative. Demographics The majority of the population consists of Swazi, but there are also small numbers of Zulu, Europeans and Mozambican refugees. The official languages are Swati and English; the latter is also the official written language. The chief religion is Christianity, often if a form blended with several indigenous religions. There are also Jewish and Muslim communities.
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