Eswatini
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 05/2014
Eswatini, formally the Kingdom of Eswatini (historically called KaNgwane, also known by its former official names Swaziland and the Kingdom of Swaziland, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by South Africa on all sides except the northeast, where it shares a border with Mozambique.
At no more than 200 km (120 mi) north to south and 130 km (81 mi) east to west, Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa.
However, its climate and topography are diverse, ranging from a cool and mountainous highveld to a hot and dry lowveld. The executive capital and largest city is Mbabane, and the legislative and second capital is Lobamba.
The population is composed primarily of ethnic Swazis. The prevalent language is Swazi (siSwati in native form). The Swazis established their kingdom in the mid-18th century under the leadership of Ngwane III.
The country and the Swazi take their names from Mswati II, the 19th-century king under whose rule the country was expanded and unified. Its boundaries were drawn up in 1881 in the midst of the European Scramble for Africa.
Swaziland is one of the smallest countries in Africa.
It is no more than 200 kilometres (120 mi) north to south and 130 kilometres (81 mi) east to west.
Regardless, the country has a very diverse topography of varying climate with a cool and mountainous highveld and a hot and dry lowveld.
The population is primarily ethnic Swazis whose language is siSwati.
They established their kingdom in the mid-18th century under the leadership of Ngwane III.
The present boundaries were drawn up in 1881.
After the Anglo-Boer War, Swaziland was a British protectorate from 1903 until 1967, gaining independence on 6 September 1968.
The country is a monarchy, currently ruled by King (Ngwenyama) Mswati III.
The king is head of state and appoints the prime minister and a number of representatives of both chambers of parliament.
Elections are held every five years to determine the majority of the House of Assembly.
The current constitution was adopted in 2005.
Swaziland is a member of the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Swaziland is a lower-middle-income country with a GDP per capita of $6,367.
With membership in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and COMESA, her main trading partners are South Africa, the United States, the European Union, and her currency, the Lilangeni, is pegged to the South African Rand.
The agriculture and manufacturing sectors of the country's economy are responsible for the majority of employment.
The Swazi population faces major health issues. HIV/AIDS, and to a lesser extent, TB, are the main health challenges. As of year 2013 Swaziland has an estimated life expectancy of 50 years.
The population of Swaziland is fairly young, with a median age of 20.5 years, with people 14 years old and below making up 37.4% of the total population. The present population growth rate is 1.195%.
Swaziland is well known for its culture.
Umhlanga, held in the month of August/September, and incwala, the dance of the kingship, held in December/January, are the most important national events.
Kingdom of Eswatini - Umbuso we Swatini
Motto:
"Siyinqaba" (Swati)
"We are a fortress"
"We are a mystery/riddle"
"We hide ourselves away"
Anthem:
Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati
Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi
Capital:
• Lobamba (royal / legislative)
• Mbabane (administrative / 26°19′S 31°8′E)
Largest city: Mbabane
Official languages: Swazi and English
Demonym: Swazi
Government: Unitary parliamentary absolute monarchy
• King
• Ndlovukati
• Prime Minister
Legislature: Parliament of Swaziland
• Upper house: Senate
• Lower house: House of Assembly
Independence from Britain: 6 September 1968
Area:
• Total: 17,364 km2 (157th) - 6,704 sq mi
• Water (%): 0.9
Population:
2014 estimate 1.106,000 (154th) - 2007 census 1,018,449
Density: 68.2/km2 (135th) - 176.8/sq mi
GDP (PPP): 2014 estimate
• Total: $7.039 billion
• Per capita: $6,367
Currency: South African rand, Swazi lilangeni (SZL)
Time zone: SAST (UTC+2)
Drives on the left
Calling code: +268
ISO 3166 code: SZ
Internet TLD: .sz