Dialing code +268
ISO 2 code SZ
ISO 3 code SWZ
Capital Mbabane
Main Language English
Currency Lilangeni (SZL)
GDP $5.7 billion 151st
Population 1,354,051 152nd

Geography

Continent Africa
Location Southern Africa between Mozambique and South Africa
Land 17,363 km2 159th
Terrain Mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Climate Varies from tropical to near temperate
Natural Hazards Mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Note: Landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

Neighbouring Countries

Mozambique South Africa

History

Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured King MSWATI III the world's last absolute monarch to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy although he has backslid on these promises in recent years. A constitution came into effect in 2006 but political parties remain banned. The African United Democratic Party tried unsuccessfully to register as an official political party in mid 2006. Talks over the constitution broke down between the government and progressive groups in 2007. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.
Read more on Wikipedia

Demographics

Life Expectancy 31.88 years 206th
Median Age 18.8 years 171st
Birth Rate 26.25 births/1,000 population 58th
Death Rate 30.83 births/1,000 population 1st
Sex Ratio 0.59 male(s)/female 194th
Literacy 81.6% 140th
Population

1.4 million

Transportation

Roadways 3594 km 158th
Railways 301 km 120th
Airports 16 140th
Waterways None km
Heliports None
Airports paved 1 123rd

Economy

Currency Lilangeni (SZL)
GDP $5.7 billion 151st
GDP per capita (PPP) $5100 125th