THE LAND:
Swaziland is a small, beautiful country in Southern Africa, surrounded on three sides by South Africa and by Mozambique on the east. The surface of the land is 17 363km². Mount Emlembe is the highest point – 1862m above sea level. Mountains up to 1370m above sea level rise along Swaziland’s western border. East of the mountains lie rolling, grassy midlands. Further east, the land levels into a low plain covered by bushes and grass. The high, narrow Lobombo Mountains rise along the eastern border. The four main rivers, the Inwavuma, Komati, Umbuluzi and Great Usutu flow eastward across the country. The rivers supply the water needed to irrigate crops and to run hydro-electric power plants.

Swaziland was formerly a British protectorate. It became independent in 1968 as the Kingdom of Swaziland. Mbabane is Swaziland’s administrative capital and largest town. Lobamba, a village, is the traditional, or royal capital. Manzini is the country’s main commercial center.

THE CLIMATE:
On the western side temperatures average 19°C, further east the average temperature is 22°C. Swaziland receives summer rainfall. In the west the annual rainfall is between 760mm to 1140mm, while the annual rainfall is about 500mm in the east.

THE PEOPLE:
The estimated population in 2004 was 1 030 000, based on the population figure of
980 722 of the 1997 census. The population density is 59 per km². Only 25% of the inhabitants are urbanized, while 75% of the population are still staying in rural areas.
90% of the population are Africans, while there are about 8000 Europeans and people of mixed descent who also live in Swaziland. English and siSwati are the official languages of Swaziland.
Swazi farmers prize their cattle and traditionally they don’t kill their cattle for food. When a man marries, his family gives his wife’s family cattle to legalize her status as his wife.

THE ECONOMY:
Rich agricultural and mineral resources have enabled Swaziland to develop a varied economy. Swaziland is one of the few African countries that exports more goods than it imports. Asbestos and iron ore are the leading exports, while coal, gold, tin, barite and kaolin also contribute to half of the country’s income. The chief agricultural products include maize, sugar cane, cotton, rice, tobacco, pineapples, citrus fruits, meat, hides and skins. Most of the products are produced by the Europeans, while the Swazi graze cattle and grow food for their own families. Since 1960 more Swazi people have begun to raise cash crops. Swaziland has one of the largest artificially created forests in Africa and produce wood pulp and other wood products. Cement, fertilizer and food products are also produced.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:
The importance of protecting the wildlife of Swaziland has been recognised by King Sobhuza II and some four percent of the country is now protected, administrated either privately or through the Swaziland government. Altogether six areas are open to the public.

Hlane Game Sanctuary: Reserve of 14 000 ha with more than 10 000 animals including white rhino, elephant, giraffe, cheetah, zebra, kudu, waterbuck and steenbok.

Malolotja Nature Reserve: Park in the western highlands, 18 000 ha, named after the Malolotja Falls, the highest in Swaziland. Superb mountain scenery, breathtaking Komati Gorge, abandoned Ngwenya iron ore mine, Middle Stone-Age artefacts, walking trails and trout fishing. Wildlife includes oribi, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, grey rhebok, baboon, klipspringer, leopard, caracal, serval and 280 bird species.

Mkhaya Nature Reserve: A small private reserve has elephants, black rhinos, white rhinos, hippo, tsessebe and kudu. Over 100 species of birds are found. For exclusive groups – trips in 4-wheel-drive vehicles and walking through the bush.

Mlawula Nature Reserve: 18 000 ha in size – lies partly in the Lowveld and partly in the Lebombo Mountains. Spectacular views. Forest of ironwood as well as cycads. White rhino, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, warthog, impala, kudu, leopard, nyala, spotted hyena, honey badger, ant bear, crocodiles and over 350 bird species.

Mliwane Wildlife Sanctuary: One of the top tourist attractions. Sheba’s Breasts’ – twin sharp-peaked koppies/ hills. Small museums to illustrate wildlife heritage and evils of poaching. Aloe collection. White rhino, hippo, giraffe, eland, buffalo, kudu, sable, blesbok, blue wildebeest and warthog. Rich in bird life, ideal nesting-grounds for water birds.

Phophonyane Nature Reserve: Cycad forests, San rock paintings, guided tours, cascading waterfalls, footslogging, 4-wheel-drive vehicle trips and spectacular view sites.

Royal Swazi Hotel and Spa: Hot springs and casino.

Ezulwini Valley: Place of Heaven – Principal playground for tourists. Caves, hotels, caravan park, casino, hot springs, parliament buildings. Mliwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Matembga Falls, Swazi royal residence of Lobamba.