Sub Saharan Africa

Swaziland
Last updated: 16 December 2011

Country information

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Map of Swaziland

Area: 17,363 sq km
Population: 1.19 million (2010 est.)
Capital city: Mbabane, population 74,000 (2009 est.)
People: Swazi
Languages: English and SiSwati
Religion(s): Christianity and indigenous beliefs
Currency: Lilangeni (plural: Emalangeni)
Major political parties: Officially none. The status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the 2006 Constitution; elections for the House of Assembly are done on a non-party basis. The kingdom’s largest opposition political organisation, the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in November 2008.
Government: Absolute Monarchy, assisted by Cabinet and traditional counsellors
Head of State: King Mswati III
Prime Minister: Sibusiso (Barnabas) Dlamini (appointed by King)
Foreign Minister: Mtiti Fakudze (appointed in October 2011)
Membership of international groupings/organisations: African Union (AU), Commonwealth, Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).