Where is swaziland. Full description of Swaziland
Kingdom of Swaziland.
The name comes from the ethnonym of the people - Swazi.
Capital of Swaziland. Mbabane (administrative), Lobam-ba (royal residence).
Swaziland area. 17363 km2.
Population of Swaziland. 1100 thousand people
Location of Swaziland. The Kingdom of Swaziland is the smallest state on the continent, located in the southeast. In the east it borders with, in the southeast, south, west and north - with the Republic of South Africa.
Administrative divisions of Swaziland. The state is divided into 4 districts.
Form of government of Swaziland. .
Head of State of Swaziland. King.
Supreme Legislature of Swaziland. The bicameral Parliament (Libondla) consists of the Senate and the House of Assembly.
Supreme executive body of Swaziland. government accountable to the king.
Major cities in Swaziland. Manzini.
State language of Swaziland.Swazi, English.
Religion in Swaziland. 60% -, 30% - pagans.
Ethnic composition of Swaziland. 90% - Swazi, 2.3% - Zulus, 2.1% -.
Currency of Swaziland. Lilangeni (plural - emalangeni) 100 cents.
Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001 .
Swaziland
(Swaziland), Kingdom of Swaziland
, state-in on SE. Africa. Pl. 17.4 thousand km², capital - Mbabane; the seat of the king and parliament - Lobamba. Since the beginning of the 1840s, it has been the object of claims by the British, Boers and Portuguese. Since 1894 - as part of the Boer Republic of Transvaal; since 1903 - a protectorate of Great Britain called Swaziland, in 1967 received ext. self management. Since September 6 (national holiday) 1968 - an independent state. A constitutional monarchy; The bicameral parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Assembly. Part of the British Commonwealth. B. h. territory - plateau Weld
, descending to the coastal plain of Mozambique in three steps from 20 to 80 km wide: High Veld (hilly), Medium. Weld (flattened) and Low Weld (flat plain). Along the east the borders are the mountains of Lebombo. The climate is transitional from subtropical to tropical. Wed-mon. temperatures 12–15 °С in winter, 20–24 °С in summer. Precipitation varies from 500–700 mm per year in the east to 1200–1400 mm or more in the west. The main river is the Usutu. A typical savannah with acacia, baobab, thickets of drought-resistant shrubs in the west, turning into mountain meadows and forests of acacias (mostly cut and scorched) in the east. On the slopes of the High Weld - forest plantations (California pine, eucalyptus).
Population 1.1 million people (2001); ch. arr. Swazi people. Official languages are English and Swazi. 60% of believers are Christians (Catholics), the rest adhere to local traditional beliefs. Economically backward agricultural country. Sugar is grown. cane, corn, tobacco, citrus fruits, pineapples, cotton, potatoes, peanuts, millet. Meat livestock (main arr. on the farms of Europeans). Logging. Asbestos mining (4th place in the world); processing of agricultural products, woodworking, production of yarn, fertilizers; assembly of televisions and electrical appliances. The railroad connects S. with the ports of South Africa and Mozambique (Maputo). Intern. airport. Sugar, asbestos, livestock products (meat, butter, bone meal), fruits are exported. Economically dependent on South Africa (70% of foreign trade; over 75% of foreign currency is stored in the Reserve Bank of South Africa). National university in Kvaluseni; nat. the library in Manzini; nat. museum in Lobamba. Cash unit - lilangeni and rand.
Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Yekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of Acad. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .
Kingdom of Swaziland. State in southern Africa. The capital is the city of Mbabane (80 thousand people - 2003). Territory - 17.4 thousand square meters. km. Administrative-territorial division - 4 districts. Population - 1.17 million people. (2004). The official language is Siswati and English. Religion - Christianity, traditional African beliefs and Islam. The monetary unit is the langeni. National holiday - Independence Day (1968), September 6.
Swaziland is a member of ca. 40 international organizations, including the UN since 1968, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1968, and since 2002 its successor - the African Union (AU), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) since 1994, the Community development of Southern Africa (SADC) since 1992, the South African Customs Union (SACU) since 1969 and the Commonwealth (an association of countries that were part of the British Empire).
Nature. The surface of Swaziland is a highland that drops eastward to the coastal plain of Mozambique in three stages: the High Weld (1000–1500 m above sea level), the Middle Weld (400–800 m) and the Low Weld (150–300 m). Located in the west, the High Veld is characterized by a dissected relief, some peaks exceed 1800 m, the highest point is Mount Emlembe (1862 m). The Middle Weld is characterized by a leveled surface and is favorable for farming. The Low Weld is famous for its rich pastures and forests, bounded to the east by the Lebombo Mountains.
Minerals. Swaziland has significant mineral resources - diamonds, asbestos, gold, iron, coal, kaolin, tin, pyrophyllite, semi-precious stones (beryl, quartz, etc.) and talc.
Dense river network, the largest rivers are Komati, Ngvavuma, Umbeluzi, Usutu. The main rivers of Swaziland cut through these mountains and flow into the Indian Ocean.
Climate. The High Weld region is characterized by a subtropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 16° to 22° C and an average annual rainfall of 1200–1400 mm or more. The Middle Weld and the Lebombo Mountains are in the transition zone, while the Low Weld is in the tropical climate belt with average temperatures of 20–24°C and an average annual rainfall of 500–700 mm.
Flora- meadow in the High Veld region and forest savannah in the eastern part of the country (various acacias, including Australian, American pines, baobabs, gum tree, xerophytic shrubs, eucalyptus, etc.)
Fauna- there are different types of antelopes (including markhorns), hippos, white rhinos, zebras, crocodiles. The tsetse fly is spread throughout the area.
Population. The population density is approx. 50 people per 1 sq. km (2002). The average annual population growth is 0.25% (the population growth rate has declined sharply due to AIDS, in 2002 it was 1.6%). Birth rate - 27.72 per 1000 people, mortality - 25.26 per 1000 people. Child mortality - 69.27 per 1000 newborns. 40.6% of the population are children under 14 years of age. Residents who have reached the age of 65 - 3.8%. Life expectancy - 35.65 years (men - 37.18, women - 34.07). (All figures are in estimates for 2005).
97% of the population of Swaziland are Swazi (Bantu-speaking people). OK. 3% of the inhabitants are Europeans, mostly British. Siswati, the language of the Swazi people, is the official language along with English.
The urban population is approx. 50% (2002). After the capital, the largest city is Manzini. The traditional labor migration from Swaziland to the mines and farms of the Republic of South Africa continues.
Religions. OK. 60% of the population are Christians (mostly Protestants), approx. 40% adhere to traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, the cult of ancestors, forces of nature, etc.), there is a small Muslim community (2004). There are also a small number of Baha'i followers. The spread of Christianity began in the beginning. 19th century
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
State device. A constitutional monarchy. The constitution adopted in 1978 as amended in 1992 is in force. The head of state is the king, who has supreme legislative and executive power. The heir to the throne in Swaziland is a prince chosen by members of the royal family. In the event of the death of the king or the minority of the heir to the throne, the queen mother governs the country.
Legislative power is partially exercised by a bicameral parliament, which consists of the House of Assembly (65 deputies) and the Senate (30 deputies). Parliament performs the functions of an advisory body under the king, since it does not accept, but only discusses bills submitted by the government. In addition, the king has the right to veto the decisions of Parliament. The 10 members of the House of Assembly are appointed by the king, while 55 are elected by the people through a complex two-stage scheme. Candidates for voting are put forward by traditional local councils, which consist of chiefs. The 20 members of the Senate are appointed by the King and 10 are elected by the House of Assembly. The term of office of both houses of parliament is 5 years.
In practice, state decisions are made by the king after their discussion in Libandl (National Council, whose members are representatives of the court nobility, the king and the queen mother) and Likoko (a narrow circle of the most trusted members of the royal family).
Executive power is exercised by the government and the prime minister, who is appointed by the king from among the deputies of the House of Assembly.
King of Swaziland - Mswati III (Mswati III). He ascended the throne on April 25, 1986.
The national flag is a rectangular panel consisting of three horizontal stripes: two blue (top and bottom) and one red between them. The red stripe is bordered on both sides by narrow stripes of yellow. In the center of the red stripe there is an image of a large black-and-white shield, which covers two parallel spears and a rod decorated with tassels.
administrative device. The country is divided into 4 regions.
Judicial system. There is a dual legal system - traditional and constitutional courts. The highest court is the Supreme Court. Decisions made in the traditional courts can be appealed to the constitutional courts.
Armed Forces and Defense. The armed forces of Swaziland were created in 1973. Compulsory military service (2 years) was introduced in 1983. In 2002, the armed forces numbered approx. 3 thousand people The protection of public order is provided by paramilitary police forces. Defense spending in 2004 was $40.5. USA. (1.4% of GDP).
Foreign policy. It is based on the policy of non-alignment. The main foreign policy partners are the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique. Relations with Mozambique are complicated by the influx of Mozambican refugees.
The question of establishing bilateral diplomatic relations between the USSR and Swaziland was first discussed in con. 1970s during an unofficial visit to the country by an employee of the embassy of the Soviet Union in Mozambique. King Sobhuza II, under pressure from the then government of South Africa, refused the proposed contacts. Diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Swaziland were established on November 19, 1999.
political organizations. A multi-party system has developed in the country, but political parties operate on an illegal basis. The most influential of them:
– « Progressive Party of Swaziland"(Swaziland Progressive Party, SPP), chairman. - Nkuku John (John Nquku). Created in 1960 on the basis of the Progressive Association of Swaziland, founded in 1929;
– « Ngwane National Liberation Congress», KNON(Ngwane National Liberatory Congress, NNLC), chairman. - Dlamini Obed (Obed Dlamini), gene. sec. - Dlamini Dumis (Dumisa Dlamini). Party, main. in 1962 as a result of a split in the Swaziland Progressive Party;
– « Imbokodwo National Movement», OSI(Imbokodvo National Movement, INM), leader position is vacant. Creation Party. in 1964;
– « United Front of Swaziland”, (Swaziland United Front, SUF), leader - Matsapa Shongwe. Base Party. in 1962.
Trade union associations"Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions" (Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions, SFTU). The association was founded in 1980 and has 83,000 members. Chairman - Richard Nxumalo, Gen. sec. - Jan Sithole.
ECONOMY
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the most dynamically developing states of the African continent. One of the highest GDP per capita is noted, the purchasing power of the population in 2004 amounted to 5.1 thousand US dollars.
Labor resources. The economically active population is 383.2 thousand people. (2000).
Agriculture. The share of the agricultural sector in GDP is 16.1% (2004). 10.35% of the land is cultivated (2001). 44% of the land is owned by foreign companies and white farmers. The remaining 56% is the property of the entire Swazi people, however, only half of them are allocated for peasant plots. The other half is owned by state-owned companies that produce marketable products. The main cash crops are sugarcane, corn, citrus fruits, pineapples and cotton. Beans, grapefruits, potatoes, rice and sweet potatoes are also grown. Animal husbandry (breeding of cattle, horses, donkeys, pigs, goats and sheep) has no commercial value. The country has the most extensive artificial forest plantations in Africa (120 thousand hectares). The annual catch of freshwater fish (carp, tilapia, etc.) is 70 tons (2000).
Industry. Share in GDP - 43.4% (2004). The basis of industry is the manufacturing industry, which gives approx. 35% of GDP (2002). There are enterprises for processing agricultural products - sugar and cotton ginning plants, woodworking plants, canning factories for processing fruits and vegetables. New manufacturing industries have been created - footwear, textiles, clothing and electronics (computer assembly), the production of cotton yarn and synthetic fibers, as well as the assembly of buses and refrigerators. There are enterprises for the production of cardboard, leather haberdashery, glass, building materials and electrical equipment.
The mining industry is falling into decline due to a drop in demand for asbestos, as well as a lack of modern equipment. Coal mining in 2004 amounted to approx. 600 thousand tons
International trade. The volume of imports exceeds the volume of exports: in 2004, imports (in US dollars) amounted to 1.14 billion US dollars, exports - 900.1 million US dollars. The main imports are machinery, oil products, equipment, foodstuffs, industrial consumer goods, vehicles and chemical products. The main import partners are South Africa (95.6%), EU countries (0.9%), Japan (0.9%) and England (0.3%) - 2004. The main export commodities are soft drink concentrates, pulp ( wood pulp), sugar, cotton yarn, refrigerators and citrus fruits. The main export partners are South Africa (59.7%), EU countries (8.8%), USA (8.8%) and Mozambique (6.2%) - 2004.
Swaziland is a member of the South African Customs Union (SACU), established in 1969 (in addition to it, it also includes Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa). The percentage received from general customs duties under this sub-regional organization represents about half of Swaziland's budget revenues.
Energy. The country has a significant potential of mountain rivers. Electricity production in 2002 amounted to 402 million kilowatt-hours. The most powerful HPP in the country is Luphohlo-Ezulvini, there are also Maguga HPPs on the Komati River and a hydroelectric plant built near the city of Mbabane. 80% of electricity consumed is imported from South Africa, a small part of electricity is imported from Mozambique. Electricity import in 2002 amounted to 799 million kilowatt-hours.
Transport. The total length of railways is 301 km (2004). Swaziland's railways are linked to the South African and Mozambican railway network. The length of roads - 3.8 thousand km (with hard surface - 1064 km of roads) - 2002. There are 18 airports and runways (2 of them have hard surface) - 2004. International airports are located 40 km from the city of Mbabane and Matsapha (near Manzini).
Finance and credit. The financial system of Swaziland is closely tied to the financial system of South Africa. The monetary unit is the langeni (SZL), consisting of 100 cents, 1 langeni is equal to 1 South African rand. In accordance with the agreement on a common currency area, the South African rand in Swaziland is legal tender on a par with langeni. In 2004, the national currency rate was: 1 USD = 6,459 SZL.
Tourism. It is a fast-growing sector of the economy, has been developing dynamically since 1994. Foreign tourists are attracted by picturesque mountain landscapes, a variety of wildlife, the possibility of safaris, as well as the original culture of the local population. In 2001, 283.12 foreign tourists visited the country, mostly from South Africa. Tourism revenue in 2000 was $47 million.
Attractions: mountain peaks of the High Veld, the National Museum of Swaziland (Lobamba).
SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Education. The first schools were opened during Christian missions in the beginning. 19th century
The education system is underdeveloped, education is not compulsory. Primary schools (the term of study is 7 years) are attended by children from the age of 6. Secondary education (5 years) begins at the age of 13 and takes place in two stages - three and two years. Primary education covers 98% of children of the corresponding age (2002). The system of higher education includes the University of Swaziland (located in the suburbs of Manzini Kvaluseni, opened in 1964 as an integral part of the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, received the status of an independent university in 1976), agricultural and pedagogical institutes. In 2002, 18.4% of state funds were allocated from the budget for the needs of the education system. In 2003, 81.6% of the population were literate (82.6% of men and 80.8% of women).
Healthcare. Swaziland is among the African countries with the highest incidence of AIDS - 38.8% (2003). In 2003, there were 220 thousand AIDS patients and HIV-infected people, 17 thousand people died. AIDS is officially declared a national disaster. In order to limit the spread of the disease, in 2001 King Mswati III issued a decree prohibiting underage girls from having sex.
The lack of clean drinking water (about 40% of the population has constant access to it) leads to outbreaks of intestinal infections. In 2000, health spending was 4.2% of GDP.
In the UN report on the human development of the planet in 2001, Swaziland stood at 133rd place.
Fine Arts and Crafts. The origin of the fine arts in Swaziland began long before our era. e. In the caves and grottoes of the Dragon Mountains, Bushmen rock paintings have been preserved - images of people, animals or fantastic creatures, made with mineral and earthen paints, as well as lime and soot, diluted in water and animal fat.
Of the crafts and arts and crafts, pottery, blacksmithing, metalworking (bronze and copper), weaving of grass and straw baskets and mats, the production of leather goods, as well as wood and horn carving are common. Products of folk craftsmen are presented in the exposition of the National Museum of Swaziland in Lobamba (founded in 1972).
Music. Playing musical instruments, songs and dances are closely connected with the daily life of the Swazi people. Traditional rituals are accompanied by singing and dancing (female dance with knives, « reeds"- dance of girls during the initiation ceremony, etc.).
Press, radio broadcasting, television and the Internet. Published in English: daily newspapers "Swaziland Observer" (Swaziland Observer - "Observer of Swaziland") and "Times of Swaziland" (Times of Swaziland - "Time of Swaziland", an independent newspaper), weekly newspapers "News from Swaziland" (News from Swaziland - Swazi News) and Swazi News (The Swazi News - News of the Swazi People). The bi-weekly newspaper Umbiki (Reporter) is published in English and Siswati, and the daily newspaper Tikhatsi Temaswati is published in Siswati. There is no national news agency. The government's Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Service has been operating since 1966. Broadcasts are in English and Siswati. The Swaziland Television Authority was established in 1978 and television programs are broadcast in English. In 2003 there were 27 thousand Internet users.
STORY
pre-colonial period. Swazi (Ama Swazi, Amangwani) descend from the South African group of Ngoni peoples, which in the 18th century. migrated to what is now Swaziland. The core of the kingdom was created in the 19th century. King Sobhuza I, who conquered the lands of the indigenous population, who did not speak the Ngoni languages, and made them part of his kingdom. His successor, King Mswati II, created a strong army and expanded the territory of his state. Until 1894, the Swazi army successfully resisted the aggressive aspirations of the Afrikaners (Boers) and the British, but then the country's territory became part of the Boer Republic of Transvaal. After the Boer War of 1899–1902, Swaziland was declared a British protectorate. see also british empire.
Sobhuza II held the Swazi royal throne from 1921-1982. He managed to buy back the lands that the British had expropriated for the benefit of foreigners after 1907, and in 1967 achieved internal self-government for Swaziland.
Period of independent development. On September 6, 1968, the independence of the Kingdom of Swaziland was proclaimed. During the long reign of Sobhuza II and his successors, Swaziland sought to maintain good neighborly relations with South Africa.
After the death of King Sobhuza II, the country was ruled by a regency council for four years, and in 1986 Prince Makhosetive ascended the throne, taking the name Mswati III after the coronation. Despite the dissatisfaction of the democratic-minded part of society, he continued to rule as an absolute monarch.
In August 1998, King Mswati III dissolved parliament and called new elections. The opposition refused to participate in them. On the eve of the parliamentary elections and on the day of the Cabinet of Ministers' oath, terrorist acts took place. The government responded with increased repression against dissidents. In 1999, the political opposition and trade unions created the "Democratic Alliance of Swaziland", which organized and held mass demonstrations of the population in support of democratic reforms.
Elections to the House of Assembly took place in October 2003. Charles Magongo S "gayoyo was elected Speaker of the House. The Senate was elected on October 31, 2003, Moses Dlamini became its chairman.
In 2003, a broad civil movement was launched to carry out democratic reforms and improve the standard of living in the country. The opposition accused the king of violating the law he himself issued as part of the fight against AIDS, which imposes a ban on sexual relations with underage girls (his 11th wife was a girl of school age).
Swaziland's external debt is $342 million (2002). GDP in 2004 amounted to 6.02 billion US dollars, and its growth was 2.5%. Inflation in the same year reached 5.4%, and investment - 23.6% of GDP.
The opposition continues to criticize the king (the 37-year-old last absolute monarch of Africa) for the wide scope of his lifestyle. The monarch’s car collection includes numerous Mercedes cars, each of his 12 wives owns their own BMW of the latest models, the king’s birthdays are traditionally widely celebrated in the country (in 2005, approx. $10 million).
Continues what started in con. 1999 in order to combat opposition forces, tightening of legislation: a ban was imposed on the activities of political parties and organizations, the rights of trade unions (including to strike) and judges were limited, and censorship was actually introduced in the media.
The problem of corruption is acute. According to the Swaziland Ministry of Finance, released in April 2005 at a meeting of parliament, the national treasury annually loses approx. $80 million.
In the summer of 2005, a conflict arose between the king of Swaziland and the parliament on the adoption of a new constitution: the monarch refused to sign its draft approved by the legislators, which, in particular, provided for the taxation of members of the royal family. After making the necessary changes, on July 26, 2005, King Mswati III signed a new constitution for the country, which strengthened the absolute monarchy in Swaziland (the powers of the king were expanded, the ban on the activities of political parties was confirmed).
Internet resources: http://www.pridetour.ru/guide/africa
Lyubov Prokopenko
LITERATURE
Recent history of Africa. M., "Science", 1968
Svanidze I.A. Lesotho. M., "Science", 1978
Forster, S. and Nsibande, B.S. (Eds.). Swaziland: Contemporary Social and Economic Issues. Aldershot, Ashgate Publishing Ltd, 2000
The World of Learning 2003, 53rd Edition. L.-N.Y.: Europa Publications, 2002
Africa South of the Sahara. 2004. L.-N.Y.: Europa Publications, 2003
African countries and Russia. Directory. M., 2004
Encyclopedia Around the World. 2008 .
SWAZILAND
KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
State in southeast Africa. In the east it borders with Mozambique, in the southeast, south, west and north - with South Africa. The area of the country is 17363 km2. In the west of the country there is a mountain range rising up to 1220 m, in the center - a plateau, the average height of which is about 610 m, the east of the country is occupied by a low-lying veld. The main rivers of the country are the Komati, the Great Usutu and the Umbeluzi.
The population of Swaziland (estimated in 1998) is about 966,500 people, with an average population density of about 56 people per km2. Ethnic groups: Swazi - 90%, Zulus - 2.3%, Europeans - 2.1%. Language: Swazi, English (both official). The capital is Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (royal residence). Largest cities: Manzini (53,000 people), Mbabane (47,000 people). The state system is a monarchy. The head of state is King Mswati III (in power since April 25, 1986). The head of government is Prime Minister J. Mbilini Dlamini (in office since 1996). The monetary unit is the lilangeni, and the South African rand is also in free circulation. Average life expectancy (for 1998): 55 years - men, 60 years - women. The birth rate (per 1,000 people) is 41.0. Mortality rate (per 1000 people) - 21.4.
The Royal House of Swaziland has been known for over 400 years and is one of the oldest in Africa. At the end of the 19th century, after the Anglo-Boer War, Swaziland came under the control of the Union of South Africa. In 1907, Swaziland was placed under the jurisdiction of the British High Commissioner for South Africa. In 1967, the country received the right to self-government, and on September 6, 1968, full independence. In 1973, the constitution was abolished and political activity banned. For four years after the death of King Sobuz II, there was no ruler in the country - it was decided which of the 67 sons of the monarch should take the throne. This problem was solved in 1986. Swaziland is a member of the UN, IMF, FAO, WHO, Organization of African Unity. British Commonwealth of Nations.
The sights of the country are the National Park and the waterfall Malotozha; in Lobamba - National Museum of Swaziland, Parliament House, Queen Mother's Village.
Encyclopedia: cities and countries. 2008 .
Swaziland (Kingdom of Swaziland, Kingdom of Swaziland) is a state in southern Africa. It occupies an area of 17.4 thousand square kilometers; population 1.3 million, mostly Swazi. The official language is English and Swazi. Believers are mostly Christians, a third of the population adhere to local traditional beliefs. Administrative-territorial division: 4 districts. The capital is Mbabane (seat of government) and Lobamba (residence of the king and seat of the legislature). Included in the Commonwealth. Swaziland is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king. The legislature is a bicameral parliament (the Senate and the House of Assembly).
The surface is the Veld plateau (height up to 1445 m), decreasing in ledges from west to east. The climate is transitional from subtropical to tropical, arid. The average monthly temperatures in summer are 20-24 °С, in winter 12-15 °С, precipitation is from 500 to 1400 mm per year. Savannah. At the end of the 1830s. a large association of Swazi tribes arose on the territory of Swaziland. In 1903-68. Swaziland - protectorate of Great Britain (cm. Great Britain). Independent state since 1968.
Economically underdeveloped agricultural country. Main agricultural crops: corn, sugarcane, citrus fruits, pineapples, cotton. Transhumance-pasture animal husbandry. Mining of asbestos, coal, iron ore. Artificial afforestations have been created on the site of the reduced primary forests. Logging. Sugar, woodworking, canning factories. Main foreign trade partners: South Africa (cm. Republic of South Africa), Canada , USA (cm. USA), Great Britain . The monetary unit is the lilangeni.
Encyclopedia of Tourism Cyril and Methodius. 2008 .
Synonyms:
General information
Official name - Kingdom of Swaziland. The state is located in South Africa. The area is 17,363 km2. Population - 1,185,000 people. (for 2009). The official language is English, swati. The capital is Mbabane. The monetary unit is the lilangeni.
The state is located in the southeastern part of the African continent. In the south, southeast, west and north it borders with (the length of the border is 430 km), in the east - with Mozambique (105 km). The total length of the border is 535 km.
Three main climatic zones correspond to the three-stage relief of the country. The moderately warm climate of the mountain type is replaced below by subtropical and, finally, tropical in the Lower Weld. Precipitation is more in summer in the temperate zone. The average temperature in July is +12°С, in February - +23°С. Precipitation varies from 500-700 mm per year in the east to 1200-1400 mm in the west.
Story
Kingdoms are different: explored, influential and known to the whole world, such as, for example, or lost in distant territories, but no less interesting, such as Swaziland, one of the smallest countries in the Southern Hemisphere. For many centuries, the Swazi people have been living here, descendants of the Bantu tribes, who, in turn, came here from East Africa through the territory of modern, and Mozambique. The king, unlike modern European monarchs, is a truly influential figure here. All major issues are resolved only with his participation. At the same time, the king rules jointly with the queen, who should be his biological mother. This is even recorded on the coat of arms of the state, which depicts a lion and an elephant: the lion represents the King, and the elephant is associated with the Queen Mother. Together, the "Lion and the Elephant" lead the resettlement of tribes in search of better territory, domestic and foreign policy, economic issues, and declare war on neighboring peoples.
Swazi history is rich in conflicts. The fighting was especially active during the 18th century, when the people were pushed back from the coast of the Indian Ocean into the interior of the continent, and in the 19th century. 1820-1840, when the entire political and territorial structure of the South African region was undergoing significant changes; famine and devastation to the lands of the Swazi brought the struggle with the Zulu tribes.
The history of the state from the XIX century. quite clearly divided into periods coinciding with the reign of a particular monarch. So, under King Sobhuze I (Somhlolo) in the period 1815-1836, a decisive victory was won over the Zulu, which allowed the Swazi to finally create their own state. The main strategy in dealing with the whites was also chosen: the king had a vision that was significant for the further development of the people, in which it was reported in an allegorical form that one should not believe the promises of the Europeans. When choosing between “Book” and “Money”, one should have focused on the “Book”: it is not for nothing that education is being developed with all its might (more than 80% of the inhabitants are educated), and the University of Swaziland is decorated with an emblem with the inscription: “The national foundation of education”. King Mswati XI, who ruled from 1839 to 1865, significantly expanded the borders of the country: suffice it to say that at that time the Swazi kingdom included such largest cities of present-day South Africa as Pretoria and Johannesburg. In the period before 1880, two more kings were replaced, but then, in one of the most difficult moments for the country from 1880 to 1889, Mbandzeni ascended the throne.
Ever since the middle of the 19th century. the Boers that appeared in the country - impoverished whites, descendants of the colonists, engaged mainly in rural work (that is, "peasants" in the lane from the Dutch "boeren"), began to buy land from local leaders. At first, the Swazis did not notice the danger in this, but already during the reign of Mbandzeni, so many white settlers accumulated that a clash of different cultural traditions was already clearly felt. Ngwane V (Bhunu), who ruled from 1890 to 1899, had to endure the whole complexity of this situation. The Swazis began to lose their lands, and in 1894 the whole of Swaziland was declared part of the Boer state of Transvaal, which, in turn, in 1900 became part of the British Empire . The administrative center at that time was the city of Manzini, and today it remains the largest in the country and serves as an industrial center.
Landmarks of Swaziland
Mbabane is the capital of Swaziland, which is located at the northern end of the Ezulwini valley among the lush hills of Dlangeni and cannot offer travelers any special attractions. The main "tourist" places in the city are fairly modern central streets: Alley, New Alley and Allister Miller (the main street named after the first European born here). West of the city center lies swazi square- a large, modern shopping complex, which deserves attention with its reasonable prices and a wide range of shops. The Mbabane Market at the south end of Allister Miller Road is well worth a visit for its local artisan market and lower prices than anywhere else in South Africa. Several excellent restaurants with Portuguese, Italian and Indian cuisine are also concentrated in the city center area.
Lobamba- the heart of the "royal valley of Swaziland" Ezulwini, the location of the royal palace of Embo Royal and the seat of the legislative bodies of the country. Here you can see all aspects of the life of the royal family - from the dances of the Inkwala ceremony, in which the monarch himself takes part, and the Umlanga dances, which are held in the Royal Kraal, to the ceremonial departures of the court and colorful national ceremonies. Nearby posted National Museum, which offers expositions of the cultures of the peoples of the country and the Cultural Village - a traditional "beehive village" for the region with all the attributes of the life of local residents, specially preserved near the museum. Given the size of the royal family (King Sobhuza II had 600 children), the country's monarchs now live in the state residence of Lotiza, 10 km from Lobamba. Next to the museum is the Parliament building, which is sometimes open to tourists, and across the road from the museum is the Memorial dedicated to King Sobhuza II. Near the capital lies a small but very picturesque Mantenga waterfall.
Mlawula Reserve- this is eighteen thousand hectares of forest completely untouched and infrequently visited by people, although it is a very beautiful, rugged area. It is rather even a small natural country in the foothills of the Lebombo mountains. Rare varieties of succulent plants, alpine poppy, iron tree grow here; hyenas, leopards, hippos, samangos, crocodiles, various antelopes, zebras and more than 350 species of birds are found in abundance. Since Stone Age crafts were found here, there are many cuts and tourist archaeological trails.
Cuisine of Swaziland
Traditional Swazi cuisine uses local fruits and vegetables, exotic game, seafood and fish from the ocean.
The basis of many local dishes is beef. Residents of Swaziland prefer dishes such as: tee-bone steak - a large steak on the bone from marbled beef; baba ganoush - delicious baked eggplant puree, seasoned with spices; ribeye steak - steak cooked from the rib part; couscous with lamb and mixed vegetables; pomegranate sorbet.
Often, chefs use fish and seafood as the basis for preparing local dishes.
Swaziland on the map
5 214The Kingdom of Swaziland is a small state in southern Africa, located between Johannesburg and Cape Town and bordering South Africa in the west and Mozambique in the east. The official capital of Swaziland is Mbabane, while the historical capital with the parliament and the royal residence are located in Lobamba. The largest city and economic capital is Manzini. Swaziland is a completely independent monarchical state, one of the most beautiful places on the planet. This is a unique country where modern rich life is complemented by the ancient culture of its Swazi people. Swaziland provides a wide variety of natural landscapes, from mountainous areas along the border with Mozambique to savannahs in the east and rainforests in the northwest. Several rivers flow through the country, one of which is the Lusutfu River. A tourist attraction in Swaziland is the annual traditional Reed Dance or Umhlanga. Tourists are attracted to Swaziland by the natural beauty of the kingdom and the possibility of organizing a safari. Swaziland (Kingdom of Swaziland). The official capital is Mbabane, the royal capital is Lobamba (the country's parliament is also located here). Swaziland is a country in southern Africa. It borders Mozambique and South Africa.
Visa and customs.
Citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa to visit Swaziland for the purpose of tourism, transit, visiting friends or a business visit.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of national and foreign currencies, it is not necessary to declare the hard currency you have with you when entering and leaving. It is forbidden to import canned meat products, narcotic and explosive substances, weapons and ammunition without appropriate clearance. . For the export of skins of wild animals, permission from the state veterinary service is required. For the transport of weapons, you must obtain a license at the border crossing point and then renew it at police stations inside the country. It is strictly forbidden to engage in independent development and export of minerals.
Climate.
The climate is transitional from subtropical to tropical, arid. Average monthly temperatures in summer are +20-24 C, in winter +12-15 C, precipitation is from 500 to 1400 mm. in year. October is the hottest month, the rains start in early December and continue until April. In the highlands of the Weld, the temperature regime is quite uneven, with frequent frosts and colder temperatures in winter (which occurs in the summer of the northern hemisphere). The Eastern Low Weld has a subtropical climate.
Beaches and hotels.
There is no access to the sea and ocean.
The hotel base of Swaziland is concentrated in Mbabane, the capital of the country, as well as in the city of Manzini. On the territory of most city hotels there are casinos and gambling centers. In the national parks of the country, accommodation is possible in cottages and bungalows, which can traditionally be rented either in whole or in part. The houses are decorated, as a rule, with the use of national colors. In addition, various campsites are at the service of travelers. However, you must be prepared for the fact that there may be no electricity in the tents. Guest houses are scattered throughout Swaziland - in fact, analogues of European Bed & Breakfast hotels. Most of the rooms in the guesthouses are air-conditioned. During the season - from April to October - a shortage of hotel rooms is possible in Swaziland. In addition, during the annual celebration of Umhlanga, or Reed Dance - in August or September - accommodation in the country should be booked in advance. On average, hotels in Swaziland are about half the price of neighboring South Africa, including national parks. The level of service, however, is the same. Thrifty tourists who want to see animals, but do not have sufficient funds to stay in the expensive Kruger Park in South Africa, can take a safari in Swaziland for significantly less money.
Money and time.
Lilangeni (in the plural - emalangeni, international designation - SZL, within the country - L or E, depending on the amount), equal to 100 cents. Valid coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, L1, E2, E5. Banknotes: E10, E20, E50, E100, E200. The Lilangeni is pegged 1 to 1 to the South African rand and both currencies are equally circulated in Swaziland. Moreover, in many cases, the rand is also preferable, since, unlike the lilangeni, it is also a freely convertible currency. When leaving Swaziland, it is recommended to exchange the rest of the local currency, since it is almost impossible to exchange lilangeni outside the state.
Time difference: 2 hours behind Moscow.(-2)
Excursions and attractions.
Despite its small size, the country has a surprisingly wide range of ecological zones and natural complexes, from the savannah in the east to the rainforest in the northwest, with numerous "patches" of fynbos ("beautiful shrubs") - the "calling card" of South Africa. The vast mountainous country on the border with Mozambique is a completely different landscape - dry and spiky mountains, as if growing from the plateaus of the High Weld. The best way to experience Swaziland is through trekking and hiking and horseback riding, and some of the national parks offer superb trails that are often just the locals' well-maintained trails that have been used for centuries. Horse excursions are considered the most suitable for local conditions and have already managed to create the country's fame as one of the world's centers of equestrian tourism. In many cases, it is also the only way to explore parts of the country that are inaccessible to other means of transport and to get acquainted with the wildlife of the region.
Mbabane lies at the northern end of the Ezulwini Valley among the lush Dlangeni hills, and has little to offer travelers in particular. The main "tourist" places in the city are fairly modern central streets - Alley, New Alley and Allister Miller, the main street named after the first European born here. To the west of the city center lies Swazi Square, a large, modern shopping complex that deserves attention for its moderate prices and wide range of shops. The Swaziland Tourist Office is also located here, where you can arrange a trip to any corner of the country. Mbabane Market, located at the south end of Allister Miller Road, is worth a visit for its local artisan market and its prices cheaper than anywhere else in South Africa. Several excellent restaurants with Portuguese, Italian and Indian cuisine are also concentrated in the city center area.
Lobamba is the heart of the Ezulwini Valley, the "royal valley of Swaziland", the location of the residence of the king - the Embo Royal Palace, and the seat of the country's legislative bodies. Here you can see all aspects of the life of the royal family - from the dances of the Inkwala ceremony, in which the monarch himself takes part and the Umlanga dances, which are held in the Royal Kraal, to the ceremonial departures of the court and colorful national ceremonies. The National Museum is also located nearby, offering expositions of the cultures of the peoples of the country and the Cultural Village - a traditional "beehive village" for the region with all the attributes of the life of local residents, specially preserved near the museum. Given the size of the royal family (King Sobhuza II had 600 children), the country's monarchs now live in the state residence of Lotiza, 10 km. from Lobamba. Next to the museum is the Parliament building, which is sometimes open to tourists, and across the road from the museum is the Memorial dedicated to King Sobhuza II. Near the capital lies a small but very picturesque Mantenga waterfall.
Manzini, Swaziland's largest city and industrial center, is 30 km away. southeast of Mbabane. Between 1890 and 1902, it was the combined administrative center of the constantly conflicting British and Boers, until the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War brought it into decline. It is worth visiting the market (Thursdays and Friday mornings), but otherwise Manzini leaves very conflicting feelings with his provinciality and unkemptness. Siteki is on the road to the mountains of Lebombo and stands quite apart from all the cities of the country, but this city offers tourists cool spurs of mountains and plains, abundantly overgrown with forests. Formerly the "capital" of the highlanders and border guards, the city took its name from Mbandzeni, the great-grandfather of the modern king, who gave his permission to the border guard units to marry only here (the name of the city means "marrying on the spot"), and since then its colonial name Stegi has practically is not used, and the city has turned from a tiny village into a fairly large commercial and cultural center. Siteki is also known for its Inyang and Sangoma schools, government schools that train healers and traditional medicine experts. A fascinating mix of botany, spiritualism and natural history is taught here, and tourists are allowed to visit schools if arranged in advance through the Swaziland Tourist Office in Mbabane. Not far from Siteka lies the unique Muti-Muti reserve, used by active practitioners and healers of the Inyanga and Sangoma schools to collect a variety of herbs used in their work ("muti" can be roughly translated as "magic" and "medicine" at the same time). Dancing and singing features of Swaziland's main cultural ceremonies, and traditional folk celebrations have long since become glamorous performances in this country, with crowds of thousands of people and obligatory dances of women in folk costumes in unison with exciting traditional local rhythms, many of which were created in antiquity as a means of introducing into trance, and now turned into folk songs and dances.
Traditional Swazi culture remains very strong, and important ceremonies such as Inkwala (sometimes called simply Nkwala), Umlanga and Umkvasho still have clear religious overtones. If you want to see the most important cultural ceremonies, you need to come in August or September to attend the Umlanga ("reed") dance ceremony or in late December - early January to visit Inkwala ("first fruit ceremony") - the most important event in the Swazi calendar. One of the most important elements of Inkwala is a kind of pilgrimage at sea, with the obligatory bathing in the foam of the waves of the Indian Ocean, symbolizing the return to the Swazi homeland on the coast of Mozambique. Groups of "bemanti" ("enlightened people") then travel throughout the country, carrying plants, water and foam from the Indian Ocean to settlements, without fail visiting the Royal Kraal in Lobamba. The climax of the holiday comes when the king stops the pilgrims, blocking their way, dances in front of the people and solemnly eats a pumpkin, thus signaling that the Swazi people can now eat the crops of the new crop. In the Umlanga ceremony, held in August or September, young women of marriageable age travel throughout the kingdom, eventually arriving at Lobamba at the Queen Mother's house and assisting her in her ceremonial trials. This festival - "an exhibition of potential wives" for the king and a celebration of the unity of the nation, serves as a reminder to people of their loyalty and obligations towards the royal house.
The "Great Valley" of Ezulwini is probably the best place to get to know the nature of the country. Swazi Usuto Forest - 65 thousand hectares of plantations of local and imported tree species, provides shelter for ancient Bushmen tribes with unusual villages. There are also countless waterfalls and forest trails passing through the most picturesque places. The most easily accessible natural park to visit is Mlilwane, located near the capital Mbabane, on the border of the High and Middle Weld around the picturesque jagged peak of Nyonyan. A fairly large hippo population lives here, as well as a wide variety of crocodiles (by the way, the only predator in the area), zebras and giraffes. More than 200 species of birds live here, including the magnificent purple loris, the national emblem of Swaziland. Rafting in the area, on the Great Usutu River, is also highly appreciated by tourists.
The Mlawula Reserve is 18,000 hectares of completely untouched and infrequently visited by people forest, although it is a very beautiful, rugged area. It is rather even a small natural country in the foothills of the Lebombo mountains. Rare varieties of succulent plants grow here, cicada and alpine poppy grow among ironwood forests, hyenas and leopards are found in abundance here as well as hippos, samango, crocodiles, various antelopes, zebras and more than 350 species of birds. Since Stone Age crafts were found here, there are many cuts and tourist archaeological trails. The Malolotzha Nature Reserve is located in the hilly north-west of the country, 20 km. northwest of Mbabane. Here the High and Middle Weld meet, and about 280 species of birds live, some of which are listed in the Red Book. The name of the reserve comes from the highest waterfall in Swaziland, in addition to which there are 26 more waterfalls of various sizes in the park. Malolotja protects 18,000 hectares of ancient wilderness. Wild flowers and rare plants such as the soft barberton, the Cape cicada or the forest protea around the many crystal clear waters attract many visitors. It is a fantastic place for walking, with numerous cultivated trails, spectacular mountain peaks and conveniently located holiday camps with modern facilities. The oldest known mine in the world is also located on the territory of Malolotzh, which was in production, according to scientists, more than 40 thousand years ago.
September 810, 2006
A wonderful kingdom. A reed festival is held here every year, during which 15,000 virgins gather reeds for a week to bring them to the Queen Mother in the last two days. At this time, the king chooses his next wife from all this crowd. This year, the tenth, or something (the king is still young).
I went to South Africa for this holiday. Nobody knows so much about Swaziland that even the tour operator from South Africa did not know that the hotel where I was supposed to stay had changed its name.
The taxi driver happily said that I missed the most interesting:
Why did you arrive so unsuccessfully, the other day we ended the reed holiday!
Sic transit gloria turagenti.
Swaziland turned out to be an infinitely cute kingdom with mountains, helpful people and almost the highest number of registered HIV-infected people in the world (in proportion to the population).
It even seemed to me that the whole reed festival was not an ancient custom that has survived to this day, but state propaganda against premarital sex. Although it is not clear what the ancient custom is Swaziland is 150 years old.
Local residents build different houses for all family members. In one husband. In the other, a wife. In the third, the second wife. Old people should be respected and settled separately. And definitely in a round house.
Here the old people have not yet been brought:
Swaziland seemed to me five times more beautiful than South Africa. Here the meaning of the adjective "picturesque" was revealed to me.
Picturesque bumps.
Picturesque insulators not touched by a single wire.
A picturesque restaurant with a typo.
Scenic traffic light.
Shadows, shadows. I felt like Gagarin on Leninsky Prospekt.
Bus stops.
In the city center there is a sign “Driver! Slow down, Parliament is in session." Someone didn't slow down.
Newspaper editorials at every crossroads in the city.
Newly built hydroelectric dam.
Among the 200 stalls at the local folk art market, I even found one unique one. 199 sell templates, one sells real.
This kitty turned out to be too big to carry with me, I bought her little sister (with the same excellent smile):
At the other end of the kingdom, glass blowers produce glass containers.
But they know their own price: “there is no discount, it doesn’t work here anymore.”
It is hard for a person from the north to imagine the omnipresence of the African fauna. If you meet a squirrel in the Moscow region, for a week of impressions. And here the monkeys calmly jump like stray dogs. During breakfast, while I was going for a glass of milk, some exotic bird pooped on my plate with an omelette that was still untouched.
There is a "cultural village" a special staff of "natives" entertains tourists with songs and dances ten times a day. It's terrible, like all performances for tourists, like women in kokoshniks, leading a round dance in front of a delegation of Bavarian power engineers in the banquet hall of some Suzdal boarding house.
I went to see a real village. It turned out to be an orphanage. The head of the orphanage led a lesson for the children, the head teacher and the teacher were preparing lunch.
I was very lucky to have a taxi driver that I chartered for the day. He even took his son with him to show his kingdom. In the village, the taxi driver approached the head of the shelter, took a chair and explained the situation for 15 minutes.
The boss was imbued with the scale of the lost impressions and decided to compensate for everything. For me they sang, danced and demonstrated everything from a mortar to a jug. The boss turned out to be an absolutely amazing woman, with unimaginable blue eyes and an incredible voice.
