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Swaziland Facts

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Swaziland, state of southern Africa; 17,000 km², 1.1 million residents (2019).Swaziland, the second smallest state of continental Africa, borders east to Mozambique and is surrounded by South Africa. The capital is Mbabane (61,800 residents, 2010).

Eswatini Country Flag

Country facts

  • Umbusu weSwatini (swati)
    Kingdom of Eswatini /
    Kingdom of Swaziland
  • Country abbreviation: SZ
  • Area: 17 000 km²
  • Population (2019): 1.1 million residents
  • Capital: Mbabane
  • Main languages: swati, english
  • State: Monarchy
  • Head of State: Mswati III (King)
  • Head of Government: Mandvulo Ambrose Dlamini
  • Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 4,140
  • GNI per capita (2018): US $ 3,850
  • Currency unit: 1 lilangeni = 100 cents
  • Currency code: SZL
  • Country number (telephony): 268
  • Internet Domain Name: sz
  • Time difference compared to Sweden: +1
  • National Day: September 6 (Independence Day, 1968)

Nature

  • Land use: forest (7%), agricultural land (11%), other (82%)
  • Highest mountain: Mlembe (1,862 m above sea level)

Population

  • Population density (2019): 65 residents per km²
  • Natural population growth (2019): 1.5%; birthrate 26 ‰, death count 11 ‰
  • Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (35%), 15-64 (61%), 65- (4%)
  • Average life expectancy (2019): men 54 years, women 59 years
  • Infant mortality (2019): 49 per 1,000 live births
  • Population forecast 2050: 1 million residents
  • HDI (2017): 0.588 (place 144 of 189)
  • Urbanization rate (2019): 24%
  • Most populous cities (2010): Manzini (94,900 residents), Mbabane (61,800)

Business

  • Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (6%), industry (45%), service (49%)
  • Exports (2017): US $ 1,830 million
  • Main export products: fruits and fruit concentrates, sugar, textiles
  • Main exporting country: South Africa
  • Imports (2017): US $ 1,450 million
  • Main import products: vehicles, machinery, workshop products
  • Main Importing Countries: South Africa, China
  • Railway network (2014): 300 km

The eastern part of the country consists of a highland which gradually transitions into lower areas in the west. Swaziland has a warm, subtropical climate all year round.

Swaziland lacks the constitution and is governed as Africa’s only absolute monarchy. The succession is hereditary. The country has an advisory two-chamber parliament with a Senate and a House of Representatives, where ten members are appointed by the King and 55 are elected in general elections for a term of five years. Swaziland became independent in 1968.

The economy is closely linked to South Africa. The majority of the economically active population is active in the country’s agricultural and forestry plantations or self-sustaining farms, where maize and cotton cultivation as well as livestock care are the main activities. The most important crop is sugar cane, which is grown mainly on larger artificial irrigated plantations. Swaziland is also a major producer of citrus fruits and pineapples, which are preserved for export.

Swaziland Map

Swaziland Map

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