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Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the
British in the late 19th century; independence was granted 1968.
Student and labor unrest during the 1990s have pressured the monarchy
(one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political
reform and greater democracy.
Area: 17,363 sq km
Population: 1,104,343
Ethnic groups: African 97%, European 3%
Religions: Protestant 55%, Muslim 10%, Roman Catholic 5%,
indigenous beliefs 30%
Languages: English (official, government business conducted
in English), siSwati (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 76.7%
male: 78%
female: 75.6% (1995 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 25.25% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 130,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 7,100 (1999 est.)
Capital: Mbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative
capital
Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini,
Shiselweni.
Political parties and leaders: Imbokodvo National Movement
or INM [leader NA]; Ngwane National Libertatory Congress or NNLC
[Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or
PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]; Swaziland National Front or SWANAFRO
[Elmond SHONGWE, president]; Swaziland Progressive Party or SPP
[J. J. NQUKU, president]; Swaziland United Front or SUF [Matsapa
SHONGWE, leader].
note: prohibited from holding large public gatherings; the organizations
listed are political associations
Economy - overview: In this small landlocked economy, subsistence
agriculture occupies more than 60% of the population. Manufacturing
features a number of agroprocessing factories. Mining has declined
in importance in recent years: diamond mines have shut down because
of the depletion of easily accessible reserves; high-grade iron
ore deposits were depleted by 1978; and health concerns have cut
world demand for asbestos. Exports of soft drink concentrate, sugar,
and wood pulp are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded
by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland
is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives four-fifths
of its imports and to which it sends two-thirds of its exports.
Remittances from the Southern African Customs Union and Swazi workers
in South African mines substantially supplement domestically earned
income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign
investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes
floods persist as problems for the future. Prospects for 2001 are
strengthened by government millennium projects for a new convention
center, additional hotels, an amusement park, a new airport, and
stepped-up roadbuilding and factory construction plans.
Population below poverty line: NA%
Currency: lilangeni
Information taken from the CIA
world factbook.
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