The powerful state of Swaziland. Full description of Swaziland
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. (as of 2009). The official language is English, Swati. The capital is Mbabane. The monetary unit is lilangeni.
The state is located in the southeastern part of the African continent. In the south, southeast, west and north it borders (border length 430 km), in the east - with Mozambique (105 km). The total length of the border is 535 km.
The three-stage relief of the country corresponds to three main climatic zones. The moderately warm mountain climate gives way to lower subtropical and finally tropical in the Lower Veldt. More precipitation falls in summer in the temperate zone. The average temperature in July is +12°C, in February - +23°C. Precipitation ranges from 500-700 mm per year in the east to 1,200-1,400 mm in the west.
Story
Kingdoms can be different: explored, influential and known to the whole world, such as, for example, or lost in distant territories, but no less interesting, such as one of the smallest countries in the Southern Hemisphere, Swaziland. For many centuries, the Swazi people have lived 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 the most important issues are resolved only with his participation. In this case, the king rules together with the queen, who must be his biological mother. This is even recorded in the state's coat of arms, 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” manage the resettlement of tribes in search of better territory, domestic and foreign policy, economic issues, and declare war on neighboring peoples.
The history of Swazis is rich in conflicts. The fighting was especially active during the 18th century, when the people were pushed 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 southern African region underwent significant changes; The fight against the Zulu tribes brought famine and devastation to the Swazi lands.
History of the state since the 19th century. It is quite clearly divided into periods coinciding with the reign of a particular monarch. Thus, under King Sobhuza I (Somhlolo) in the period 1815-1836, a decisive victory was won over the Zulu, which allowed the Swazis to finally create their own state. The main strategy in communicating 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 said in an allegorical form that one should not believe the promises of the Europeans. When choosing between “Book” and “Money”, you should have paid attention to “Book”: it is not without reason that education is being developed here with all their might (more than 80% of the residents are educated), and the University of Swaziland is decorated with an emblem with the inscription: “National Foundation of Education”. King Mswati XI, who reigned from 1839 to 1865, significantly expanded the country’s borders: suffice it to say that at that time the Swazi kingdom included the largest cities of what is now South Africa, such as Pretoria and Johannesburg. In the period before 1880, two more kings changed, but then, in one of the most difficult moments for the country from 1880 to 1889, Mbandzeni ascended the throne.
Since the middle of the 19th century. The Boers who appeared in the country - impoverished whites, descendants of colonists, engaged mainly in rural work (that is, “peasants” in the translation 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 had accumulated that a clash of different cultural traditions was already clearly felt. The whole complexity of this situation was experienced by Ngwane V (Bhun), who ruled from 1890 to 1899. The Swazis began to lose their lands, and in 1894 the whole of Swaziland was declared part of the Boer state of the Transvaal, which, in turn, in 1900 became part of the British Empire . The administrative center at that time was the city of Manzini; today it remains the largest in the country and serves as an industrial center.
Sights of Swaziland
Mbabane is the capital of Swaziland, which lies at the northern end of the Ezulwini Valley among the lush Dlangeni Hills and does not have much to offer travelers. The main "tourist" places in the city are the 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 reasonable prices and wide range of stores. Mbabane Market at the southern end of Allister Miller Street is worth a visit for its stalls of local artisans and prices that are lower than anywhere else in South Africa. Several excellent restaurants serving 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 country's legislative bodies. Here you can see all aspects of the life of the royal family - from the Incwala ceremony dances, in which the monarch himself takes part, and the Umhlanga dances, which are held in the Royal Kraal, to the ceremonial exits of the court and colorful national ceremonies. Located nearby National Museum, offering exhibitions 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 there is a small but very picturesque Mantenga waterfall.
Mlawula Nature Reserve- this is eighteen thousand hectares of completely untouched and rarely visited by people forest, although it is a very beautiful, very rugged terrain. It is rather a small natural country in the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains. Rare varieties of succulent plants, alpine poppy, and ironwood grow here; Hyenas, leopards, hippos, samangos, crocodiles, a variety of antelopes, zebras and more than 350 species of birds are found in abundance. Since Stone Age artifacts were discovered here, there are many sections and archaeological tourist trails.
Swazi cuisine
Traditional Swazi cuisine uses local vegetables and fruits, exotic game, seafood and ocean fish.
Beef is the basis of many local dishes. Residents of Swaziland prefer dishes such as: T-bone steak - a large T-bone steak made from marbled beef; baba ganoush - a delicious roasted eggplant puree seasoned with seasonings; ribeye steak - steak prepared from the rib portion; couscous with lamb and mixed vegetables; pomegranate sorbet.
Chefs often use fish and seafood as a basis for preparing local dishes.
Swaziland on the map
5 214 Details Category: Southern African countries Published 05/18/2015 17:38 Views: 2200Swaziland is a small African country whose name comes from the people Swazi, which came to southern Africa from the central continent in the Middle Ages.
Swaziland borders South Africa and Mozambique.
State symbols
Flag– is a panel with an aspect ratio of 2:3 with 5 horizontal stripes on top: blue, yellow, red, yellow and blue. The central red stripe depicts two spears and a staff, with an African shield on top of them. The staff and shield are decorated with decorative tassels of bird feathers, which represent the king.
The color red symbolizes past battles and struggles; blue – peace and stability; yellow – natural resources of the country. The black and white coloring of the shield symbolizes the peaceful coexistence of the black and white races. The flag was approved on October 30, 1967.
Coat of arms- is an azure shield, in the field of which there is an oval shield wavyly crossed into silver and niello on top of two gold spears in a pillar. Above the shield is an azure-golden burlet under a stylized crown of green feathers. The shield is supported by a walking lion and an elephant of natural colors. At the bottom there is a silver motto ribbon with the motto: “We are a fortress.”
Spears symbolize protection, the lion symbolizes the king, and the elephant symbolizes the queen mother.
State structure
Form of government– dualistic monarchy (a constitutional monarchy in which the power of the monarch is limited by the constitution, but the monarch formally and actually retains extensive powers).
Head of State- monarch. Legislative and executive powers are concentrated in his hands. He is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the army. Parliament has no real legislative power and is actually an advisory body to the king.
Current monarch since April 1986 King Mswati III
Head of Government- Prime Minister.
Mbabane
Capitals– Mbabane (official), Lobamba (royal and parliamentary).
Largest city- Manzini.
Official languages– English, Swati.
Territory– 17,363 km².
Administrative division– 4 districts.
Population– 1,185,000 people The country has the highest rate of AIDS infection in the world (more than 26% of the adult population). Average life expectancy is about 50 years.
The majority of the population is Swazi, with a small number of Zulus, Europeans and Mozambican immigrants. Urban population 25%.
Religion– syncretists 40% (beliefs based on a combination of Christianity with aboriginal cults), Catholics 20%, Muslims 10%, others 30%.
Currency– lilangeni.
Economy– The main sector of the economy is agriculture. Main crops: sugar cane, corn, cotton, tobacco, rice, citrus fruits, pineapples. They are engaged in cattle breeding. Industry: agricultural products processing industries, mining (coal and asbestos), cellulose production, textile production. Transport: railway 297 km, roads 2853 km. Export: juice concentrates, sugar, wood, cotton, citrus fruits, canned fruits. Import: industrial goods, vehicles, food, petroleum products.
Education– the education system is underdeveloped, education is not compulsory. In primary schools, the duration of education is 7 years (from the age of 6).
Secondary education (5 years) begins at the age of 13 and takes place in two stages - 3 and 2 years. Primary education covers 98% of children of the corresponding age (2002).
Higher education: University of Swaziland, agricultural and pedagogical institutes.
Sport- Football is popular. Swaziland first participated in the Olympic Games in 1972. Swaziland's first and only participation in the Winter Games occurred in 1992 in Albertville. Swaziland athletes have never won a single Olympic medal.
Armed forces– Swaziland Self-Defense Forces and Royal Swaziland Police. The Swaziland Army has never participated in external conflicts and is mainly engaged in maintaining order within the country and protecting borders.
Nature
Basically, Swaziland is located on the highlands, descending to the coastal plain of Mozambique in three stages: High Veld (dissected relief), Middle Veld (favorable for agriculture) and Low Veld (pastures, in the east of Mount Lebombo).
Mineral reserves are significant: diamonds, asbestos, gold, iron, coal, kaolin, tin, pyrophyllite, semi-precious stones (beryl, quartz, etc.) and talc.
Dense river network, the largest rivers are Komati, Ngwavuma, Umbeluzi, Usutu. The main rivers of Swaziland cut through the mountains and flow into the Indian Ocean.
Climate subtropical and tropical.
The flora is rich: about 2,400 species - from lichens and ferns to magnolias and ficus. 25 types of aloe, 12 types of orchids, 10 types of lilies.
Antelope
Various species of antelope (including antelopes), hippopotamuses, white rhinoceroses, zebras, and crocodiles live here. The tsetse fly is widespread throughout the area.
Tourism
Tourism in the country is developing dynamically. Tourists are attracted by the picturesque mountain landscapes, the diversity of the animal world, the possibility of safari, as well as the original culture of the local population. Walking and horseback excursions are offered.
The main tourist attraction is the traditional Reed Dance (Umhlanga) is an annual mass celebration in Swaziland, the culmination of which is the dance of several thousand half-naked Swazi girls who want to become one of the wives of the King of Swaziland, Mswati III. The holiday takes place in August-September.
The celebration lasts 3 days and ends with a dance. On the first night after arriving at the camp, the girls go for reeds. The next day they bring the plucked reeds to the palace of the Queen Mother of Swaziland, where they use them as building material to protect against the wind. On the last day of the celebration, government transport delivers the girls to the stadium, where the climax of the celebration will take place. The king and royal family, as well as spectators, are present in the stadium. The King and specially invited guests make speeches on topics relevant to Swaziland. After this, the dance begins, which lasts several hours. Spectators can join the dancers or encourage them by throwing money at their feet. Every year the king has the right to choose his bride from among the dancers.
Incwala ("Festival of First Fruits") is also an important religious ritual for Swaziland, attracting tourists. It takes place in the second half of December and continues in January of the following year. This annual ceremony lasts 3 weeks and involves the people of Swaziland uniting to receive blessings from their ancestors and serves to extend the reign of the Swazi people in the country and begin the harvest.
The ceremony is attended by the King of Swaziland.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Swaziland
Ngwenya mine
This mine is considered the oldest in the world. Ore containing hematite (iron mineral Fe2O3, one of the most important iron ores. Synonym: red iron ore) was mined here back in the “African Middle Stone Age”. At this time, red ocher was obtained from it. Ancient people used red ocher for cosmetic and ritual purposes. Later, the ore was mined for iron smelting and for export.
Other attractions of Swaziland
Lobamba
Mantenga Falls
The historical capital of the kingdom, seat of parliament and residence of the Queen Mother.
Attractions:
King's Palace Embo Royal
Royal Kraal
National Museum
Parliament House
Memorial to King Sobhuz II
Cultural village - a traditional ethnic village-beehive, conveying the life of local residents
Mantenga waterfall
The Reed Dance (Umhlanga) is an annual celebration of the virgins in honor of the Queen Mother.
Muti-Muti Nature Reserve
This unique place is actively used by medical practitioners and healers of the Inyanga and Sangoma schools to collect a variety of herbs used in their work.
The city of Siteki is a large commercial and cultural center. Siteki is famous for its Inyanga and Sangoma schools. Here they receive the title of healers and experts in traditional medicine.
Memorial Park of King Sobhuz II
The King Sobhuza II Memorial Park is located in the city of Lobamba and is dedicated to the first king of Swaziland. The park consists of a memorial, a mausoleum and a memorial museum. The three-meter bronze statue of the king is surrounded by shields.
The memorial is surrounded by a pond and has bronze sculptures of lions at the entrance. To ascend the throne, the leader of the tribe had to kill a lion. Next to the memorial there is a torch, which is a symbol that the spirit of the king is still alive. The torch is lit on important days for the country.
The museum contains exhibits dedicated to the life of the first king of Swaziland. The mausoleum is located on the spot where Sobhuz II's body lay during the funeral in 1982. The king was buried in the south of the country, in the mountains.
National Museum of Swaziland
The first and most famous museum of cultural history. Located in a 28th century palace. in the very center of Copenhagen, it occupies 36 hectares and is a real open-air museum.
The National Museum was opened in 1892, introducing residents and visitors to the history of the city, from the Stone Age and the Vikings to the Renaissance. Here are examples of the diverse cultures of the peoples that live in the country.
Story
The ancestors of the Swazi people came to this territory in the middle from the central part of the continent. At first they settled on the coast of the Indian Ocean, but in the 18th century. they were pushed into the territory of what is now Swaziland by other tribes.
At the beginning of the 19th century. The Swazis fought against the Zulu and other neighboring tribes, and they raided the Swazi lands.
In 1836, the Swazi leader Sobuza I (now called the king) defeated the Zulu and introduced a centralized system of power, subjugating other leaders. He is actually the founder of the Swazi state.
King Mswati I in the late 1830s. annexed new lands in the north of the country and created a large state (its territory was more than twice the area of modern Swaziland).
Traditional Swazi dwellings
In the middle of the 19th century. the country began to attract European colonialists. In 1894, the territory of Swaziland was declared part of the Boer Republic (Transvaal).
After the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. Britain declared Swaziland a protectorate, but retained the authority of local kings and chiefs there.
In 1964, the first local parliamentary elections were held, and on September 6, 1968, Britain granted full independence to the Kingdom of Swaziland.
In 1973, King Sobuza II revoked the constitution, dissolved parliament and outlawed the activities of all political parties, trade unions and other public organizations.
Sobuza II died in 1982 and was succeeded by Mswati III.
In April 2011, opposition rallies of many thousands took place demanding the resignation of Mswati III. The opposition accuses the monarch of plundering the state treasury to provide a luxurious life for himself and his 13 wives. The police, using special means, dispersed the rally in the capital of Swaziland, arresting 13 organizers of the rally.
Highlights
The surface is the Veld plateau (height up to 1445 m), descending in ledges from west to east. 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 per year. Savannah. In con. 1830s A large association of Swazi tribes arose on the territory of Swaziland. In 1903-1968. Swaziland was a British protectorate. Independent state since 1968.
Economically underdeveloped agricultural country. Main crops: corn, sugar cane, citrus fruits, pineapples, cotton. Transhumance-grazing livestock farming. Mining of asbestos, coal, iron ore. In place of cleared indigenous forests, artificial forest plantations have been created. Logging. Sugar, wood processing, fruit canning factories. Main foreign trade partners: South Africa, Canada, USA, Great Britain. The monetary unit is lilangeni.
Nature
The surface of Swaziland is highlands, sloping east towards the coastal plain of Mozambique in three stages: High Veldt (1000–1500 m above sea level), Middle Weld (400–800 m) and Low Weld (150–300 m). The High Veld, located in the west, is characterized by rugged terrain, with individual peaks exceeding 1800 m, the highest point being Mount Emlembe (1862 m). The Middle Weald has a level surface and is favorable for agriculture. The Low Veld is famous for its rich pastures and forests, bounded in the east by the Lebombo Mountains.
Swaziland has significant mineral reserves - diamonds, asbestos, gold, iron, coal, kaolin, tin, pyrophyllite, semi-precious stones (beryl, quartz, etc.) and talc.
Dense river network, the largest rivers are Komati, Ngwavuma, Umbeluzi, Usutu. The main rivers of Swaziland cut through these mountains and flow into the Indian Ocean.
The High Veldt 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 Lebombo Mountains are in the transitional climate zone, while the Low Veld is in the tropical climate zone with average temperatures of 20–24° C and average annual precipitation of 500–700 mm.
Flora – meadow in the High Veldt region and forest savannah in the eastern part of the country (various acacias, including Australian, American pines, baobabs, gum trees, xerophytic shrubs, eucalyptus, etc.)
Fauna – there are different types of antelopes (including antelopes), hippopotamuses, white rhinoceroses, zebras, crocodiles. The tsetse fly is widespread throughout the area.
Culture
The origins of fine art in Swaziland began long before our era. e. In the caves and grottoes of the Drakensberg 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 with water and animal fat.
Among the crafts and arts, pottery, blacksmithing, metal processing (bronze and copper), weaving baskets and mats from grass and straw, leather goods production, as well as wood and horn carving are common. Products of folk craftsmen are presented in the exhibition of the National Museum of Swaziland in Lobamba (founded in 1972).
Music. Playing musical instruments, singing and dancing are closely associated with the daily life of the Swazi people. Traditional rituals are accompanied by singing and dancing (women’s dance with knives, “reeds” - the dance of girls during the initiation rite, etc.).
The first schools were opened at Christian missions in the beginning. 19th century
The education system is underdeveloped and education is not compulsory. Children attend primary schools (the duration of education is 7 years) 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 higher education system includes the University of Swaziland (located in the suburb of Manzini Kwaluseni, opened in 1964 as 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 was literate (82.6% of men and 80.8% of women).
Swaziland is one of the African countries with the highest incidence of AIDS - 38.8% (2003). In 2003, there were 220 thousand people with AIDS and HIV-infected people, 17 thousand people died. AIDS has been 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 infectious diseases. In 2000, health care expenditures amounted to 4.2% of GDP.
In the UN report on the humanitarian development of the planet in 2001, Swaziland was ranked 133rd.
60% of the population are Christians (mostly Protestants), about 40% adhere to traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, cult of ancestors, forces of nature, etc.), there is a small Muslim community. There are also a small number of Baha'i adherents. The spread of Christianity began at the beginning of the 19th century.
Policy
The constitution of 2005 is in force. The head of state is the king, who has the supreme legislative and executive powers. 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 country is ruled by the Queen Mother.
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 adopt, but only discusses bills introduced by the government. In addition, the king has the right to veto decisions of parliament. 10 members of the House of Assembly are appointed by the king, and 55 are elected by the population based on a complex two-tier system. Candidates for voting are nominated by traditional local councils, which are composed of chiefs. 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 they are discussed in the Libandla (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.
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 yellow stripes. Superimposed in the center of the red stripe is the image of a large black and white shield, which covers two parallel spears and a staff decorated with tassels.
The basis of foreign policy is the policy of non-alignment. The main foreign policy partners are the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique. Relations with Mozambique are complicated due to the influx of Mozambican refugees.
The issue 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 Soviet Union embassy in Mozambique. King Sobhuza II, under pressure from the then South African government, refused the proposed contacts. Diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Swaziland were established on November 19, 1999.
On the world map MapSeptember 810, 2006
A beautiful kingdom. The Reed Festival is held annually here, during which 15 thousand virgins collect reeds over the course of a week to bring them to the Queen Mother on the last two days. At this time, the king chooses his next wife from this whole crowd. This year is the tenth, or something (the king is still young).
I went to southern Africa for this holiday. No one knows anything about Swaziland so much that even the tour operator from South Africa did not know that the hotel where I was supposed to stay had managed to change its name.
The taxi driver happily announced that I had missed the most interesting thing:
Why did you arrive so unsuccessfully, the other day our reed festival ended!
Sic transit gloria turagenti.
Swaziland turned out to be an infinitely sweet kingdom with mountains, sympathetic people and almost the largest 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 government propaganda against premarital sex. Although it is not clear what the ancient custom is Swaziland is about 150 years old.
Local residents build different houses for all family members. In one husband. In the other wife. In the third there is a second wife. Old people should be respected and housed separately. And definitely in a round house.
There are no old people here yet:
Swaziland seemed to me five times more beautiful than South Africa. Then the meaning of the adjective “picturesque” was revealed to me.
Picturesque hummocks.
Picturesque insulators that are not touched by a single wire.
A picturesque restaurant with a typo.
Picturesque traffic light.
Shadows, shadows. I felt like Gagarin on Leninsky Prospekt.
Bus stops.
In the city center there is a sign “Driver! Slow down, there is a parliament meeting in progress.” Someone didn't slow down.
Newspaper editorials on every street corner in the city.
Newly built dam with hydroelectric power station.
Among the 200 stalls at the local folk art market, I even found one unique one. 199 sell templates, one sells the real thing.
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, glassblowers produce glass containers.
But they know their worth: “there is no discount, it doesn’t work here anymore.”
It is difficult for a person from the north to imagine the omnipresence of African fauna. Here, if you meet a squirrel in the Moscow region, you will be impressed for a week. And here the monkeys are calmly jumping around like stray dogs. During breakfast, while I was going for a glass of milk, some exotic bird shit on my plate with an untouched omelette.
There is a “cultural village” here - a special staff of “aboriginals” entertains tourists with songs and dances ten times a day. This is terrible, like all performances for tourists, like women in kokoshniks dancing in a circle 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 a shelter for orphans. The head of the orphanage was teaching a lesson for the children, and the head teacher and teacher were preparing lunch.
I was very lucky with the taxi driver I hired for the whole day. He even took his son with him to show off the 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 missed impressions and decided to compensate for everything. They sang, danced and demonstrated everything from a mortar to a jug for me. The boss turned out to be an absolutely stunning woman, with unimaginable blue eyes and an incredible voice.
Kingdom Swaziland- the smallest state on the continent, located in southeast Africa. In the east it borders with Mozambique, in the southeast, south, west and north - with the Republic of South Africa. Administrative division. The state is divided into 4 districts
The name comes from the ethnonym of the people - Swazi.
Capital
Mbabane (administrative), Lobam-ba (royal residence).
Square
Population
1100 thousand people
Form of government
Constitutional monarchy.
Head of State
Supreme legislative body
The bicameral parliament (Libondla) consists of the Senate and the House of Assembly.
Supreme executive body
A government accountable to the king.
Major cities
State language
Swazi, English.
Religion
60% are Catholics, 30% are pagans.
Ethnic composition
90% are Swazis, 2.3% are Zulus, 2.1% are Europeans.
Currency
Lilangeni (plural - emalangeni) 100 cents.
Climate
The climate is transitional from subtropical to tropical, humid in the summer. Average monthly temperatures range from + 12°C to + 20°C in summer. Precipitation falls 500-700 mm per year in the east and 1200-1400 mm in the west.
Flora
In the west, the vegetation is a typical savannah with acacia and baobab trees; in the east, thickets of xerophytic shrubs predominate. West High Veldo is a country of mountain meadows. The flora includes 2.4 thousand species - from lichens to ficus and magnolias.
Fauna
Representatives of the animal world are typical of the African savannah - blue buffalos, antelopes, zebras, hippos, and a large number of crocodiles live in the rivers.
Rivers and lakes
The country's largest rivers are the Komati, Great Usutu and Umbeluzi.
Attractions
In Lobamba - the National Museum of Swaziland, the Parliament building, the Queen Mother's village. The Malotolsa National Park and Waterfall are well known.
Useful information for tourists
Swaziland is a unique country where modern, vibrant life is organically intertwined with ancient traditions and rituals that form the basis of the existence of its people - the Swazis. The best way to explore Swaziland is trekking, as well as walking and horseback riding excursions. Some national parks offer excellent trails, often just reclaimed trails that local people have used for centuries. Horseback riding excursions are considered the most suitable for local conditions and have already managed to create the country's reputation as one of the world centers of equestrian tourism. In many cases, it is also the only way to explore parts of the country otherwise inaccessible by land and experience the region's wildlife.
One of the most colorful events takes place annually at the end of August - beginning of September and is timed to coincide with the moment the king chooses his next bride. It is called "Dance of the Reeds". Virgin girls from all over the kingdom gather near the Queen Mother's palace with a bunch of reeds, symbolizing their purity and devotion to the throne. The girls' outfit consists only of loincloths woven with beads. Royal princesses decorate their hair with a wreath of red feathers and lead in dances.
The purpose of the ceremony is to show the king your beauty and dancing skills, so that he can choose one from many virgins and make him his wife. And although the choice of the king is a foregone conclusion, thousands of almost naked beauties try their best to demonstrate their charms by performing intricate steps.
