Swaziland
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : Kingdom of Swaziland
Country name - conventional short form : Swaziland
Country name - local long form : Umbuso weSwatini
Country name - local short form : eSwatini
Government type : monarchy
Capital - name : Mbabane
Capital - time difference : UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
Nationality - noun : Swazi(s)
Nationality - adjective : Swazi
Languages : English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Currency (code) : lilangeni (SZL)
Currency code : SZL
Major infectious diseases - degree of risk : intermediate
Swaziland is located Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa. The climate is varies from tropical to near temperate. The terrain is mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background : 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.
More Information about the country
