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Country Guide > Africa > Swaziland | |
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General Information Area 17,363 sq km (6704 sq miles).
Population 980,722 (1997). Population Density 56.5 per sq km. Capital Mbabane. Population: 73,000 (UN projection 2000). Geography Swaziland is surrounded to the north, west and south by the Mpumulanga of South Africa and to the east by Mozambique. There are four main topographical regions: the Highveld Inkangala, a wide ribbon of partly reforested, rugged country including the Usutu pine forest; the Peak Timbers in the northwest; the Middleveld, which rolls down from the Highveld through hills and fertile valleys; and the Lowveld, or bush country, with hills rising from 170 to 360m (560 to 1180ft). The Lubombo plateau is an escarpment along the eastern fringe of the Lowveld, comprising mainly cattle country and mixed farmland. One of the best-watered areas in southern Africa, Swaziland’s four major rivers are the Komati, Usutu, Mbuluzi and Ngwavuma, flowing west–east to the Indian Ocean. Government Constitutional monarchy since 1973. Gained independence from the UK in 1968. Head of State: King Mswati III since 1986. Head of Government: Prime Minister Themba Dlamini since 2003. Language English and siSwati. Religion 60 per cent Christian, with most of the remainder adhering to traditional beliefs. Time GMT + 2. Electricity 220/30 volts AC, 50Hz; 15-amp round pin plugs are in use. Communications Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 268. Outgoing international calls must go through the international operator. Public telephones are available. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network. Network operators include Swazi MTN (website: www.mtn.co.sz). Fax Many hotels in Mbabame have facilities. Internet ISPs include Real Image Internet (website: www.realnet.co.sz). Telegram Facilities are available in the capital. However, Telex is often a more efficient and cheaper way to send international communications; machines can be found at post offices and major hotels in Mbabame. Post Post offices are in all main centres. Airmail to Europe is unreliable and can take from two weeks to two months. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1700, Sat 0800-1100. Press The English-language newspaper in Swaziland is The Times of Swaziland. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
