About Swaziland

Explore this Swaziland map to learn everything you want to know about this country. Learn about Swaziland location on the world map, official symbol, flag, geography, climate, postal/area/zip codes, time zones, etc. Check out Swaziland history, significant states, provinces/districts, & cities, most popular travel destinations and attractions, the capital city’s location, facts and trivia, and many more.

The meaning of the word “Swazi” translates as ‘people of Mswati’. eSwatini (Swaziland) attained freedom from the British in the year 1968; however, it continues to be a monarchy, with the crown being the absolute legislative, executive and judicial head.

Even though a constitution was introduced, 60% of the country falls under the king’s grip. The current of eSwatini (Swaziland) is King Mswati III, who was crowned in the year 1968.

Physical Map of Swaziland

The first feature of the small country of eSwatini (Swaziland) is the fact that it is completely landlocked. In fact, it is the smallest country in the southern hemisphere of the continent of Africa. The eSwatini (Swaziland) landscape comprises of three types of land forms: savannahs, plateaus and mountains.

The landscape is full of tourist attractions like the Ezulwini Valley and the mineral spring called the “Cuddle Puddle”. The country is divided into four distinct topographical regions. They are the Highveld Inkangala, the Peak Timbers, the Middleveld and the the Lowveld. The Lubombo plateau too is a significant landscape that lies to the east of the Lowveld. The four major rivers watering eSwatini (Swaziland) are the Usutu, Ngwavuma, Komati, and Mbuluzi.

Location of Swaziland

The country of eSwatini (Swaziland) is located in the southern region of the continent of Africa. It also lies in the southern hemisphere.

The country is practically encircled by South Africa. However, a tiny margin of its boundary is bordered by the country of Mozambique.

Flag of Swaziland

Swaziland’s flag is rectangular in shape and is based on colors that are regarded as pro-African. The flag is made up of the colors blue, yellow, red, black and white. The colors blue, red and yellow appears on the flag in horizontal stripes running from one side to the other. The red stripe appears in the middle of the flag in a broad stripe, three times the width of the blue one that features at the top and the bottom. Separating the two blue stripes from the central red one are two yellow stripes, half the width of the blue stripe. On the central red stripe, in the middle, is superimposed the motif of a ‘regiment shield’ that covers two spears above a staff. The shield and the staff are adorned with tassels made of feather.

Climate of Swaziland

The climatic conditions prevalent in eSwatini (Swaziland) are dependent on the landscape and altitude of the country. So, different regions in the country sport different temperatures, although the variation is marginal. In general, though, the climate of eSwatini (Swaziland) can be branded as temperate sub-tropical. Because the country is located in the southern hemisphere, the country has the reverse climatic pattern of the north. So, the summer months occur between the months of October and May. During this time, the conditions are warm and humid. The winters, which are pleasant and dry, lasts from the month of June to the month of September. Precipitation in the months of October and March are sometimes accompanied with storms.

Flora and Fauna of Swaziland

the country of eSwatini (Swaziland) mostly comprises of savannah grasslands. The flora in other regions of the country also has scrub and bush vegetation. In the highlands of eSwatini (Swaziland), however, forest trees can be found. the chief plants in the country are orchids, begonias and aloes. The fauna of the land consists of most of the species that are typical of the African safari. So, though there is not much else to be seen in the areas outside the boundaries of the National Parks, in the protected areas, you can see impala, blue wildebeest, zebra, kudu, hippopotamus and waterbuck. There are crocodiles to be sighted in river and low-lying areas. The avian fauna of the country of eSwatini (Swaziland) is abundant and thriving with species like the sacred ibis, European stork and gray heron to be found in plenty.

People of Swaziland

97% of the population of the country of eSwatini (Swaziland) is Africans. The rest 3% is made up of a Europeans. The African populace in itself comprises of almost 70 distinct indigenous clans. Among these clans, the Nkosi clan, the Dlamini clan and the royal clan are the primary ones. Some of the ancient clans of eSwatini (Swaziland) are the Sotho, Bushmen and Ntungwanguni clans.

Arts, Culture and Music of eSwatini (Swaziland)

• Art : Art in the country of eSwatini (Swaziland) is primarily tribal ethnic. So, there are plenty of Swazi hand-made candles; glassware; embroidery; beadworks; hand made fabrics like mohair, raffia, silk, cotton and wool; silver jewellery; wood and soapstone sculpture; tapestries; silk-screened batik and weaving grass mats and baskets.
• Culture : eSwatini (Swaziland) has a rich ethnic tradition. Despite progress towards modernization, most of the people of the country still adhere to the traditional way of life. The predominant culture in eSwatini (Swaziland) is the ‘Nguni’. So, people can be seen wearing the traditional dress – the ‘Mahiya’ – and carrying Swazi warrior battle-axes.
• Music : music is a way of eSwatini (Swaziland) life. The many musical genres, however, come to the front during the two chief festivals of the country – ‘Incwala’ and ‘Umhlanga’. While during the former festival the dance is performed by the male folk of the community and is joined in by the king; in the latter, which has a five-day ritual, the dance is performed exclusively by the women. Apart from these two types, there are special marking occasions like marriage, harvest, birth etc. the chief musical instruments used in the land are reed flute, calabash, rattles, kudu horn and makeyana.

Economy of Swaziland

being abundant in both in the agricultural sector, natural resources and also the industrial sector, there are plenty of boosts to the economy of eSwatini (Swaziland). The rich and abundant natural reserves of the country comprise of Cassiterite, asbestos, forests, coal, quarry stone, clay, gold and different types of diamonds deposits, hydropower and talc. Most of these are either exported as raw materials or as processed commodities.

As a result of this industries too play an important role in the country’s economy. Some of the chief industries engaged both in the extraction and processing of the raw materials and also manufacturing other commodities are sugar, mining, refrigerators, wood pulp, soft drink concentrates, cotton yarn, canned fruits, textile and garments. The agricultural sector too does not lag behind; there being several crops of economic consequence. They are sorghum, sugarcane, pineapples, cotton, citrus, corn, rice, tobacco and peanuts.