Swaziland

SWAZILAND

Miks Celmins

The Kingdom of Swaziland NgwaneSwatini

The flag

Coat of arms

motto

"Siyinqaba""We are a fortress“

"We are a mystery/riddle“

"We hide ourselves away“

Location

Landlocked In the Southern AfricaBordered:–N, S, W by South Africa– E by Mozambique

General information

Capital – Lombamba (royal & legislative)Largest city – MbabaneOfficial languages – English, SiSwatiPolitics – Absolute monarchy Area - 17,364 km2 Population – 1,185,000Drives on the left

HistoryThe autonomy was dictated by British rule of southern Africa in the 19th and 20th century

In 1881 the British government signed a convention recognizing Swazi independence

Controversial land and mineral rights concessions were made under the authority of the Foreign Jurisdiction Act of 1890 in terms of which the administration of Swaziland was also placed under that of the then South African Republic

Second Boer war (1899–1902). The biggest conflict with South African Republic

On 4 October 1899, Commissioner Krogh issued an official notice of evacuation for "all white inhabitants“. Most of the British were escorted towards the border with Mozambique or Colony of Natal.

Politics - governmentThe head of state – The king Mswati III

(ascended to the throne in 1986 after his father King Sobhuza II)

• The Senate - 30 members – appointed by the king on recommendation of the

advisory council and others elected by the lower house

• The House of Assembly - 65 seats– 55 of which are occupied by elected representatives

from the 55 constituencies around the country, – 10 appointed by the king on recommendation of the

advisory council and the attorney general is the ex-official members.

• Elections are held every five years

Four districts

-Swaziland is divided into four districts:

Hhohho (1)

Lubombo (2)

Manzini (3)

Shiselweni (4)

EconomySwaziland’s economy is diversified, with agriculture, forestry, manufacturing (textiles and sugar-related processing)

the majority of the population – about 75%—is employed in agriculture

Health

critically affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic (the highest HIV infection rate in the world) - 61% deaths were caused by HIV/AIDS the lowest life expectancy at 32 yearsPM Themba Dlamini declared a humanitarian crisis due to the combined effect of drought, land degradation increased HIV/AIDS. Life expectancy has fallen from 61 years in 2000 to 32 years in 2009

Educationnow free at primary level mainly 1st and 2nd grades and also free for orphaned and vulnerable children but not compulsory.In 1996, the net primary school enrollment rate was 90.8%, with gender parity at the primary level.In 1998, 80.5% of children reached grade five.The University of Swaziland provides higher education.

Climate (Spring) Sept. – Oct. 18 °C (64.4 °F) (Summer) Nov. – Mar. 20 °C (68 °F) (Autumn) Apr. – May 17 °C (62.6 °F) (Winter) June – Aug. 13 °C (55.4 °F)

Video for tourists