# Eswatini

> sovereign state in southern Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q1050](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1050)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eswatini)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eswatini

## Summary
Eswatini, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini and formerly known as Swaziland, is a sovereign state and absolute monarchy located in Southern Africa. A landlocked country bordering South Africa and Mozambique, it is one of the smallest nations on the continent, covering 17,364 square kilometers. The nation operates a dual capital system with Mbabane as the administrative (de jure) capital and Lobamba as the legislative (de facto) capital.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Kingdom of Swaziland; name changed April 19, 2018).
- **Sovereignty:** Gained independence on September 6, 1968, from British rule (British Swaziland).
- **Government Type:** Absolute monarchy; basic form of government defined as "absolute monarchy" with a democracy index of 3.08 (2020).
- **Head of State:** King Mswati III (tenure started April 25, 1986).
- **Head of Government:** Prime Minister Russell Dlamini (tenure started November 4, 2023).
- **Capitals:** Mbabane (de jure/executive) and Lobamba (de facto/legislative/royal).
- **Area:** 17,364 square kilometers.
- **Population:** 1,230,506 (2023 estimate).
- **Currency:** Lilangeni (SZL).
- **Languages:** Official languages are English and Swazi (siSwati).
- **ISO Codes:** Alpha-2: SZ, Alpha-3: SWZ, Numeric: 748.
- **Internet TLD:** .sz.
- **Driving Side:** Left.
- **Electricity:** 230V at 50Hz, using plug type BS 546.

## FAQs
**What is the difference between Eswatini and Swaziland?**
Eswatini is the current official name of the country, adopted on April 19, 2018, replacing the former name "Swaziland." The change was made to reflect the indigenous Swazi language form, though "Swaziland" remains a recognized alias and historical reference.

**What are the capitals of Eswatini?**
Eswatini maintains two capitals: Mbabane is the de jure (legal) capital and seat of executive administration, while Lobamba serves as the de facto legislative capital and the location of the royal palace.

**Who rules Eswatini?**
The country is an absolute monarchy ruled by King Mswati III, who has served as Head of State since April 25, 1986. The government is administered by a Prime Minister, currently Russell Dlamini, who serves as the Head of Government.

**Where is Eswatini located?**
Eswatini is a landlocked country situated in Southern Africa. It shares borders with South Africa (South Africa–Eswatini border) and Mozambique (Mozambique–Eswatini border) and is part of the Southern African region.

## Why It Matters
Eswatini represents one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies, offering a distinct political case study within the African continent. Its strategic location within Southern Africa makes it a member of key regional economic blocs, such as the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The country plays a role in international diplomacy through its long-standing membership in the United Nations (joined September 24, 1968) and its unique diplomatic relations, such as its recognition of Taiwan. Furthermore, its cultural preservation of Swazi traditions, exemplified by its anthem "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" and the motto "Siyinqaba" (We are a fortress), highlights its significance in maintaining indigenous African sovereignty and heritage.

## Notable For
- Being one of the few absolute monarchies in the world.
- Having a dual capital system (Mbabane and Lobamba).
- Changing its name from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018 to align with local language usage.
- High income inequality, with a Gini coefficient of 54.6 (2016).
- A Human Development Index (HDI) that has fluctuated over time, recorded at 0.597 in 2021.
- Being a landlocked country contained entirely within the地理 region of Southern Africa.
- Maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan (Eswatini–Taiwan relations).

## Body

### Governance and Political Structure
Eswatini functions as a sovereign state and a kingdom, specifically classified as an absolute monarchy. The head of state is King Mswati III, who ascended to the throne on April 25, 1986. The legislative body is the Parliament of Eswatini. The head of government role is held by the Prime Minister; recent holders of this office include Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini (2018–2020), Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku (2020–2021), Cleopas Dlamini (2021–2023), Mgwagwa Gamedze (2023), and the current Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, who assumed office on November 4, 2023. The democracy index was recorded at 3.08 in 2020, and the country is characterized as a "not-free country" according to Freedom in the World (2017).

### Geography and Climate
Eswatini is located in Southern Africa (continent: Africa) with geographical coordinates approximately 26.48°S, 31.43°E. It covers a total area of 17,364 square kilometers. The terrain ranges from the highest point at Emlembe (1,862 meters) to the lowest point at the Maputo River (21 meters). The country shares borders with South Africa and Mozambique. It operates on South Africa Standard Time (UTC+02:00), specifically the "Africa/Mbabane" time zone. The climate supports distinct flora, recorded under the World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions (ID: SWZ).

### Demographics and Social Indicators
As of 2023, the population is estimated at 1,230,506. The population is predominantly rural, with 906,348 people living in rural areas versus 295,322 in urban areas (2022 data). The gender split is relatively even, with 596,167 males and 605,504 females recorded in 2022.
Key social metrics include:
- **Life Expectancy:** 57.75 years (2016).
- **Birth Rate:** 23.642 (2022).
- **Death Rate:** 11.883 (2022).
- **Total Fertility Rate:** 3.0 (2016).
- **Suicide Rate:** 13.3 per 100,000 (2016).
- **Unemployment Rate:** 22% (2014).
- **Age of Majority/Marriage:** 21 years old.

### Economy
The economy uses the Lilangeni as its currency. In 2022, the nominal GDP was approximately 4.85 billion USD. The country has a high level of inequality with a Gini coefficient of 54.6 (2016). The Human Development Index (HDI) stood at 0.597 in 2021, while the inequality-adjusted HDI was 0.424. The country is integrated into regional trade through memberships in the Southern African Customs Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

### International Relations
Eswatini is a member of numerous international organizations:
- **United Nations:** Member since September 24, 1968.
- **Commonwealth of Nations:** Member since 1968.
- **African Union** (and its predecessor, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States).
- **World Trade Organization:** Member since January 1, 1995.
- **Other Memberships:** Interpol (since 1975), UNESCO (since 1978), World Health Organization, FIFA (since 1978), and the International Olympic Committee (since 1972).
The country maintains diplomatic relations with the United States, South Africa, Taiwan, Russia, Germany, North Korea (since 2007), and the European Union.

### Culture and Symbols
The national motto is "Siyinqaba" (We are a fortress). The national anthem is "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati." The flag and coat of arms are distinct national symbols. The country drives on the left. Emergency numbers include 999 (Police), 933 (Fire), and 977 (Emergency Medical Services).

### Administrative Divisions
The country contains four administrative regions: Hhohho (Mbabane Region), Lubombo Region, Manzini Region, and Shiselweni Region.

### Identifiers and Codes
Eswatini is identified by various international codes:
- **ISO 3166:** SZ / SWZ / 748.
- **IOC/UNDP Code:** SWZ.
- **ITU Letter Code:** SWZ.
- **Telephone Code:** +268.
- **M49 Code:** 748.
- **MARC/GENT Code:** sq / SWZ.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/eswatini)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. archINFORM
4. BnF authorities
5. CiNii Research
6. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/africa)
7. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q823291)
8. [Source](https://www.un.int/eswatini/)
9. [Commonwealth of Nations membership criteria](https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/kingdom-eswatini)
10. [Source](https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/swaziland_e.htm)
11. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
12. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Africa/ESWATINI)
13. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
14. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/eswatini)
15. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
16. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
17. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=113)
18. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
19. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/eswatini)
20. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
21. [Source](https://olympics.com/ioc/eswatini)
22. [Source](https://www.fifa.com/associations/association/SWZ)
23. [Source](https://www.anocolympic.org/nocs-directory/eswatini-olympic-and-commonwealth-games-association/16653)
24. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
25. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Continental_Free_Trade_Area#List_of_signatories_and_parties_to_the_agreement)
26. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
27. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
28. FIPS 10-4
29. [Virtual International Authority File](http://www.viaf.org/viaf/140126183/)
30. MusicBrainz
31. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
32. World Bank Open Data
33. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
34. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=SZ)
35. [United Nations Population Fund](https://eswatini.unfpa.org/en/news/swaziland-releases-population-count-2017-census)
36. [Source](https://data.who.int/countries/748)
37. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
38. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
39. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Eswatini/Cultural-life)
40. [Kingdom of Eswatini Change Now Official](http://www.times.co.sz/news/118373-kingdom-of-eswatini-change-now-official.html)
41. [Source](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/laender/eswatini-node)
42. The World Factbook
43. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
44. [Source](https://www.bundesjustizamt.de/DE/SharedDocs/Publikationen/ZStV/Laenderkennzahlen_Staatsangehoerigkeitsschluessel.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=9)
45. The National Terminology Database for Irish
46. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
47. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
48. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
49. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
50. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)