Best Countries

At a glance

Capital: Mbabane

Official language: English

Currency: Lilangeni

Continent: South Africa

Enclosed Kingdom

Swaziland is often “overlooked” by travelers in the region, but this tiny kingdom has a lot to offer.

Background

According to Countryaah, Swaziland is a landlocked country in southern Africa. It borders Mozambique in the northern third and is enclosed in the south by South Africa. Swaziland is ruled by a king, making it one of the last absolute monarchies in the world.

Highlights

The country is dominated by agriculture, which was not always the case as Swaziland used to be dependent on aid supplies. In addition to the beautiful flora, the country’s fauna is impressive. The area is home to the rare black nasal horns. A visit to one of the five national parks is definitely worth it.

Important facts

Capital: Mbabane

Official language: English

Currency

Currency (sub-unit)

Lilangeni (100 cents)

ISO 4217 code

SZL / 748

Geography

Continent: Africa

Region: south

Geo coordinates: S -26 ° -31 ‘-21 ” E 31 ° 27’ 57.1″

Highest mountain: Emlembe (1,862 m)

Total area: 17,363 km²

Mainland: 17,203 km²

National border: 535 km

Politics

Dependency: Great Britain until 1968

UN member since: 1968

Other political affiliation: Commonwealth

Form of government: Absolute Monarchy

Economy

Export goods: Iron ore, sugar, wood

BSP: $ 2,186,000,000

GDP: $ 2,372,000,000

GDP purchasing power parity: $ 5,870,000,000

Economic growth: 1.6%

GDP share of agriculture: 10.8%

GDP share of industry: 52.4%

GDP share of services: 36.8%

Inflation rate: 3.4%

State budget revenue: $ 899,000,000

State budget expenditure: $ 10.3 billion

Export: $ 1,682,000,000

Import: $ 1,734,000,000

Gold and currency reserves: $ 334,000,000

Electricity consumption: 1,282 million KWh

Oil consumption: 3,800 million m³

Cultivation area: 11.07%

Bovine: 576,000 pieces

Demographic data

Residents: 1,136,400

Residents in cities: 278.100

Average age: 18.6 years

0-14 years: 40.7%

15-64 years: 55.8%

> 65 years: 3.5%

Population growth: -0.23%

Birth rate: 27.41 / 1,000 residents

Death rate: 29.74 / 1,000 residents

Ratio men / women: 0.95

Fertility: 3.53 children / woman

Infant mortality: 71.85 ‰

Life expectancy men: 32.1 years

Life expectancy women: 33.17 years

Country codes and abbreviations

ISO 3166 Alpha 2: SZ

ISO 3166 Alpha 3: SWZ

ISO 3166 numeric: 748

Top Level Domain: sz

IOC country code: SWZ

UN / LOCODE: SZ

Source: Abbreviationfinder

Communication

Telephone connections: 67,000

Cell Phones: 126,000

Radios: 198,000

TV: 280,000

Computer: 90,000

Internet users: 90,000

Transportation

Railway lines: 301 km

Paved roads: 1,216 km

Cars: 52,000

Health

Number of doctors: 180

Daily food intake: 2,620 kcal / resident

HIV- infected people: 291,000

Education

Illiteracy: 18%

History

Foundation: 1600

Last sovereign since: 1968

Religion

Main religious group: Christians

Crime

Prison inmates: 3,500

Military

Armed forces (troop strength): 4,000

Defense Spending: $ 43.9 million

GETTING THERE

Arriving by plane

Swaziland’s national airline is called Airlink Swaziland (SA) (Internet: www.flyairlink.com) and flies between Manzini and Johannesburg. No direct flights from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Departure fee

20 E. Children under 3 years of age and transit travelers are excluded from this.

Arrival by car

There are good road connections to South Africa, including Johannesburg, Durban and northern Zululand.
Bus: Tourist buses connect Natal and the Transvaal. Once a week there is a bus from Mbabane and Manzini to Johannesburg and twice a week from Mbabane to Maputo.
Border crossings from Swaziland to South Africa are between Oshoek – Ngwenya, Waverley – Lunatsi, Nerston – Sandlane, Houdkop – Sicunusa, Bothashoop – Gege, Mahamba – Mahamba, Onverwacht – Salitje, Golela – Lavumisa, Bordergate – Mananga, Jeppe’s Reef – Matsamo – Jossefdalamo Bulembu and between Namaacha – Lomahasha.

Arriving by train

A train connection between Durban and Maputo runs through Swaziland with a stop in Mpaka, 35 km east of Manzini. Departures from Durban twice a week (travel time 16 hours).

ON THE GO

On the way by car / bus

The road network is relatively good; however, many roads are narrow, winding, and dangerous. Left-hand traffic.
Long-distance buses connect the different parts of the country.
Rental cars are available at the airport, in Mbabane and Manzini. Minimum age: 23 years. Security deposit or credit card payment required.
Documentation: International driver’s license recommended.