Geography

Swaziland covers an area of 6,704 square miles (17,363 square kilometers). It is a landlocked country, meaning that it has no coastline. Swaziland is almost surrounded by South Africa. On the east it has a short border with Mozambique.

Most of the country is a veld, a land covered with grasses and scattered shrubs and bushes. The Highveld in the west contains the country's highest point, Emlembe peak, which rises 6,100 feet (1,860 meters). East of the Highveld is the lower Middleveld, which has some of the country's best soil. This is the most densely populated part of Swaziland. The Lowveld, or Bushveld, lies east of the Middleveld. The Lebombo Mountains in the far east run along the border with Mozambique. Swaziland's major rivers are the Lomati, Usutu, Mkhondvo, Umbeluzi, and Komati. The climate is generally subtropical. Rainfall is heaviest in the west.

Plants and animals

In addition to the grasslands that cover much of the land, Swaziland has some forests. Large areas of the Highveld have been planted with pine and eucalyptus trees. These are some of the largest planted forests in Africa.

The wildlife of Swaziland has been greatly reduced because of habitat destruction caused by the spread of the human population. Antelopes, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, elephants, giraffes, and zebras are now found largely in protected reserves. Other animals of Swaziland include monkeys, jackals, mongooses, crocodiles, and several types of snake.

People and culture

The main ethnic group in Swaziland is the Swazi. Other African peoples in the country include the Zulu and the Tsonga. The population also includes small groups of Europeans and Asians. English and Swazi are the official languages. About two thirds of the population is Christian. Most of the remainder follow traditional beliefs.

The majority of the people live in rural areas, but the cities are growing. Swaziland's two largest cities are Mbabane, the administrative capital, and Manzini, an industrial and mining center. The royal family lives just south of Mbabane, near Lobamba, where the legislature meets.

In the 1990s the disease AIDS became a serious public-health issue in Swaziland. At the turn of the 21st century, about 25 percent of the nation's adults were infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Economy

Swaziland's economy is based on agriculture and manufacturing. More than half of the people are farmers who produce only enough for their own needs. The main food crop is corn (maize). Livestock raising is common, and cattle are the traditional symbol of wealth. Commercial farming takes place on large estates, many of which are owned by Europeans. Sugarcane is the main cash crop.

Swaziland has more manufacturing industries than most African countries. The chief manufactures include food and beverages, wood pulp, textiles and clothing, and metal products. The mining industry is not as important as it once was, but asbestos and diamonds are still produced. Tourism has become a major part of the economy. Most visitors come from South Africa.

History

Human settlement in what is now Swaziland dates far back into prehistory. The Swazi people, however, did not establish a kingdom in the area until the 19th century. Soon the Swazi king asked British authorities in South Africa for help in defending the kingdom against raids by the Zulus. Thereafter the British and the Boers (white settlers of Dutch descent) struggled for control of the territory. The British defeated the Boers in the South African War of 1899–1902. Afterward Britain took control of Swaziland. The British administration gave two thirds of the land to a tiny white minority.

The kingdom of Swaziland achieved independence from Britain in 1968. The king was Sobhuza II, who had become the leader of the Swazi in 1921. He ruled the country mostly by himself until his death in 1982. After a power struggle his son was crowned King Mswati III in 1986. During the 1990s the king faced increasing demands for democracy. He approved some democratic reforms, but the monarchy remained in place. Population (2001 estimate), 1,104,000.