Introduction  -  Swaziland

General Information and Facts

 

Background:  Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection. (42.5% - 2006)

 

Geography of Swaziland

Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

 

Area:   total: 17,363 sq km; (6,703 sq mi)

            land: 17,203 sq km

            water: 160 sq km

 

Area - comparative:  slightly smaller than New Jersey