+268 is the dialing code for Swaziland.
The small kingdom of Swaziland (Eswatini) has a short border with Mozambique in the east and is otherwise surrounded by South Africa. The country was a British protectorate until independence in 1968. A power struggle between the ruling royal family and opposition parties has been going on for decades. The Kingdom is essentially an agricultural country, but many Swazis work in South Africa and send home money.
After independence from Britain, the kingdom retained the colonial name Swaziland. In 2018, the country formally changed its name to Eswatini (see fact box). In the Land Guide we stick to the established name Swaziland.
Geography and climate
Swaziland is about the same size as Värmland. The country borders the east to Mozambique and is otherwise surrounded by South Africa.
At the border with Mozambique, the Lebombo mountain range runs. From there, Swaziland slopes down to a warm and humid lowland, Låga Velden, which is followed by the Middle Velden with more pleasant climate and fertile soil. To the west, the country rises again to a grassy highland, Höga Velden.
Several rivers flow through Swaziland in the west-easterly direction, including Komati in the north and the great Usutu further south.
Heavy utilization of savanna and steppe areas for, among other things, sugar cane cultivation has depleted plant and animal life. Only a few specimens of leopard and impala and stone antelope are left.
Country Facts
Geography
| Cultivated land | 68.3 % |
| Land area | 17364 km 2 |
Population and health
| Population development | 1.11 ‰ |
| Urban population (Urbanization) | 21.3 % |
| Death rate | 13.56 per 1000 residents |
| Life expectancy: Women | 50.5 years |
| Life expectancy: Men | 51.6 years |
| Birth rate | 24.67 births per 1000 residents |
| HDI index | 0.531 |
| Population | 1435613 |
| Infant mortality | 52.57 deaths / 1000 births |
Energy
| Electricity, production | 425 million kWh |
| Energy consumption per resident | 372.7 kg. oil per resident |
| Natural gas, production | million cubic meters |
| Crude oil, production | million tons |
Infrastructure
| Internet users | 23.8 per 100 residents |
| Mobile subscriptions | 65 per 100 residents |
| Passenger cars | 89 per 1000 residents |
Business and economics
| Unemployment | 40% of the workforce |
| GDP | 8500 per resident |
| Primary occupations | 70 % |
| Secondary profession | 15 % |
| Tertiary professions | 15 % |
Swaziland has a warm, subtropical climate all year round. The warmest is in the eastern part of the lowland, Låga Velden. Most rain falls in the west, while the lowlands in the east get quite a bit of rainfall.
FACTS – GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Surface
17 363 km2 (2018)
Time
Swedish +1 hour
Adjacent country (s)
South Africa, Mozambique
Capital with number of residents
Mbabane 66,000
Other major cities
Manzini
Important rivers
Komati, Usutu
Average Precipitation / year
1400 mm
Average / day
Mbabane 20 °C (Jan), 12 °C (July)
2010
September
Manifestations for democracy
A great manifestation of democratic reform is being held in Manzini. The day before, around 50 people were arrested during a similar demonstration.
June
Police raids against oppositionists
The police carry out raids against opposition groups, trade unions and voluntary organizations. An unknown number of people are arrested, accused of terrorism. A number of new blasts have preceded the arrests, but many suspect that the blast has in fact been planned by the police in order to blame democracy activists.
March
Opposition leaders call for sanctions
Pudemo’s leader Mario Masuko urges the outside world to impose targeted sanctions on Swaziland. Foreign Minister Lutfo Dlamini describes the statement as “unfortunate”.