Country Information on Swaziland 

Terrain

Swaziland can be divided into three topographical zones: the mountainous area in the west (highveld) reaches altitudes of over 1,220 m in some areas, which is where the country's highest peak, Mount Emlembe (1,862 m), is located. The middleveld (grassland) is located at an average altitude of 610 m; and the eastern part (lowveld) varies in altitude between 120 m and 305 m. The principal rivers are the Komati, Mbuluzi, and Ngwavuma. The steady flow of the rivers, fed by abundant rain in the mountains, forms the basis for irrigation and hydroelectric power projects in the lowlands.

Climate

The country's climate varies according to altitude, ranging from tropical to temperate conditions. Average annual precipitation is between 1,000 and 2,280 mm. In the west, the average precipitation is only around 500 to 1,000 mm a year.

Fauna/Flora

Excessive hunting has greatly reduced the number of wild animals. A great effort has been made to create new habitats for the large range of animals that remain in the wild. The Hlane Royal National Park is home to lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, crocodiles, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, and a great variety of birds of prey. It also has the southernmost breeding colony of marabous. Excessive exploitation of large parts of the country through monoculture and livestock breeding has led to a deterioration in the quality of the soil and to soil erosion. Vegetation includes acacia trees, thorn bushes, baobabs and mahogany trees.

History/Politics

Around the 16th century AD, the Nguni migrated southwards from Congo and began to settle in the area of present-day Swaziland in the 18th century. In the early 19th century, the Nguni united with other regional tribes under the leadership of Sobhusa in order to protect themselves against attacks by the Zulus. The unification process was sped up by more and more frequent Boer attacks, and the newly created country was named after King M'swasi, who resisted the intruders. Shortly before his death, King M'swasi turned to the British for help. They declared the area a protectorate in 1867.

Although the entire southern part of the African continent was under British rule, different territorial pockets had differing colonial administration structures. Swazi self-administration was finally recognized in 1941. The British took steps to give up their colonies in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Swaziland was granted internal autonomy in 1967 and full independence with King Sobhusa II as head of state in 1968.

In 1973, Sobhusa II dissolved both houses of parliament, declared himself absolute ruler and banned all political parties. His politics of good relations with South Africa resulted in civil protest and an increase in opposition activities, which the King suppressed by use of force. After his death in 1982, two of the King's wives (first Dzliwe, then Ntombi) assumed power and maintained control until Crown Prince Makhosevite was crowned king as Mswati III in 1986. He held executive power as well as being head of state. Mswati III dissolved the Liqoqo (a traditional tribal council) and then the whole parliament a year later.

There was an increase in political unrest and in 1992, the opposition finally forced the king to create advisory councils to prepare political reforms. However, the councils did not have the desired effect. Unrest and opposition to the king increased to the extent that in 1996 some sections of the population demanded the abolition of the monarchy and the creation of a multi-party system. Over the years that followed, protests were so strong that the king declared the use of arms against the protesters legal. An ongoing drought meant that the government had to ask for food aid in 2002. In early 2004, Swaziland was on the brink of a humanitarian crisis due to a lack of rain. In February, a state of national emergency was declared; in June, the European Commission approved two million US dollars of aid for the victims of the drought in Swaziland and Lesotho.

Economy

More than 60% of the country's active population works in subsistence agriculture (cultivation and livestock breeding to cover their own basic needs). The most important agricultural products are sugar cane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, citrus fruits, millet and peanuts. Livestock breeding includes cattle, sheep and goats. Mining has declined in importance in recent years since high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted by 1978, and health concerns have cut world demand for asbestos. Diamonds, hard coal, and kaolin are still being mined. Swaziland's economy is heavily dependent on South Africa: Swaziland receives 90% of its imports from the country and sends half of its exports there (juices, canned fruit, sugar and cotton). Remittances from Swazi workers in South African mines amount to 20% of Swaziland's revenue. In 2003, the inflation rate was 9.5%, while unemployment reached 34%.

Culture

Dancing and singing are essential parts of the country's main cultural ceremonies, when men and women dance in traditional dress. The Incwala (sometimes called Ncwala) or 'first fruits' ceremony and Umhlanga (where potential wives are presented to the king) are the most sacred festivities in the Swazi calendar. Both celebrations usually go on for days and take place in Lobamba, where the royal court is situated. They symbolise the strong bond between the Swazi as a people and a nation and are supposed to strengthen their bonds with the monarchs (the King and the Queen Mother).