Eswatini, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini, is a small landlocked country in southern Africa. It is bordered by South Africa and Mozambique and is known for its mountain landscapes, wildlife reserves, traditional ceremonies, crafts and distinctive cultural heritage.
The country was formerly known internationally as Swaziland. It changed its official English name to Eswatini in 2018.
Eswatini has a constitutional monarchy and a dual system of governance that combines modern state institutions with traditional structures. Mbabane is the administrative capital, while Lobamba is the traditional and legislative capital.
Quick Facts
- Official name: Kingdom of Eswatini
- Former name: Swaziland
- Region: Southern Africa
- Capital: Mbabane
- Traditional and legislative capital: Lobamba
- Population: About 1.26 million (2025)
- Area: About 17,364 km²
- Official languages: siSwati and English
- Currency: Lilangeni (SZL)
- Government: Constitutional monarchy
- Independence: 6 September 1968
- King: Mswati III
- Time zone: Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
- Neighbors: South Africa and Mozambique
The World Bank estimates Eswatini’s population at approximately 1.26 million in 2025.
Where Is Eswatini?
Eswatini is located in southern Africa.
It is almost completely surrounded by South Africa, with a short eastern border with Mozambique.
Despite its small size, Eswatini contains several distinct landscapes, including high mountains, rolling grasslands, forests, valleys and lowveld areas.
Its position between South Africa and Mozambique gives it strong economic, cultural and transportation links with both countries.
History of Eswatini
The history of Eswatini is closely connected with the Swazi people and the development of the Swazi kingdom.
The kingdom developed during the 18th and 19th centuries under Swazi rulers. King Sobhuza II became an important figure in the country’s modern history and ruled for much of the colonial period and the early years of independence.
Eswatini became a British protectorate in the late 19th century.
The country gained independence from Britain on 6 September 1968, with Sobhuza II as king. The Eswatini government records independence as taking place on that date.
After Sobhuza II died in 1982, Mswati III eventually became king in 1986.
The country’s constitutional framework was substantially changed with the Constitution Act of 2005.
In 2018, King Mswati III announced the country’s change of English name from Swaziland to Eswatini, meaning roughly “land of the Swazi.”
Population and People
Eswatini’s population was approximately 1.26 million in 2025, according to World Bank data.
The country’s population is predominantly Swazi, with smaller communities of people from neighboring countries and other backgrounds.
The Swazi people have a strong cultural identity expressed through language, traditional institutions, ceremonies, music, dance and dress.
siSwati is widely spoken, while English is important in government, business and education.
Most people live in rural or semi-rural communities, although the country’s main urban areas have grown over time.
Geography and Climate
Eswatini has a varied landscape despite its relatively small area.
The country is commonly described in terms of several geographical zones, including:
- Highveld
- Middleveld
- Lowveld
- Lubombo plateau
The western part of the country contains higher elevations and mountainous terrain, while the eastern lowveld is generally hotter and drier.
The Lubombo Mountains form an important geographical feature along the eastern part of the country.
Climate
Eswatini generally has a subtropical climate, with conditions varying according to elevation.
- Higher areas are cooler and wetter.
- Middle elevations have moderate temperatures.
- Lowveld areas are warmer and drier.
- Most rainfall occurs during the summer months.
The variation in altitude contributes to Eswatini’s diverse vegetation and wildlife habitats.
Government and Political System
Eswatini is a constitutional monarchy.
The country’s current head of state is King Mswati III, who became king in 1986. The government describes the political and legal system as combining traditional institutions with modern state institutions.
The Constitution provides for three main arms of government:
- Executive
- Legislature
- Judiciary
Eswatini also uses the Tinkhundla system as part of its political and administrative structure. Tinkhundla are traditional geographical and administrative units that play a role in political representation and local governance.
Mbabane and Lobamba
Mbabane is the administrative capital and the capital of Hhohho District.
Lobamba is the country’s traditional and legislative capital and is an important center of royal, cultural and political life.
The Eswatini National Museum and King Sobhuza II Memorial Park are located in Lobamba.
Economy
Eswatini has a relatively open economy with strong economic links to South Africa and the wider Southern African region.
Important sectors include:
- Services
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Sugar production
- Food processing
- Tourism
- Retail and trade
The World Bank reports that services account for more than half of economic output, while industry, particularly manufacturing, contributes about one-third.
World Bank data records 2025 GDP at approximately US$5.16 billion and real GDP growth of 4.2%.
Manufacturing includes food and beverage processing and other products for regional and international markets.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture remains important to Eswatini, particularly in rural areas.
Important agricultural activities include:
- Sugarcane
- Maize
- Citrus
- Cotton
- Livestock
- Forestry
Sugar is one of the country’s important agricultural and export products.
Forestry is particularly important in parts of the highveld, where commercial plantations contribute to the economy.
Eswatini also has mineral resources, including coal and iron ore, although mining is smaller than agriculture, manufacturing and services in overall economic importance.
Culture and Traditions
Culture is one of Eswatini’s most distinctive features.
Traditional institutions remain an important part of national identity, and cultural ceremonies attract visitors from inside and outside the country.
The incwala and umhlanga are among the best-known traditional ceremonies.
Incwala
Incwala, often called the First Fruits Ceremony, is an important traditional royal ceremony.
It is connected with kingship, renewal and the agricultural cycle.
Umhlanga
The Umhlanga, or Reed Dance, is a major cultural event involving young Swazi women.
The ceremony takes place at the royal residence and has become one of Eswatini’s most internationally recognized cultural events.
Traditional dance, singing, clothing and ceremonies are important elements of Swazi cultural life.
Traditional Arts and Crafts
Eswatini has a strong tradition of handicrafts.
Common crafts include:
- Woven baskets
- Carved wooden objects
- Beadwork
- Textiles
- Pottery
- Glass products
- Traditional decorative items
Craft centers and markets provide opportunities to see and purchase locally produced work.
The country’s tourism authority highlights cultural experiences, crafts and traditional communities as important parts of the visitor experience.
Food in Eswatini
Eswatini cuisine is influenced by southern African food traditions.
Common ingredients include:
- Maize
- Beans
- Vegetables
- Sorghum
- Meat
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Seasonal fruit
Maize-based foods are important in many households.
Traditional meals may include stews, vegetables and meat served with maize-based staples.
Modern Eswatini cuisine also includes foods influenced by neighboring South Africa and international communities.
Wildlife and National Parks
Eswatini has a surprisingly diverse wildlife population for its small size.
Protected areas provide habitats for:
- Elephants
- Rhinoceroses
- Lions
- Leopards
- Giraffes
- Zebras
- Hippopotamuses
- Antelope
- Numerous bird species
The country’s tourism authority highlights opportunities to experience the Big Five within Eswatini’s reserves and protected areas.
Important conservation areas include:
- Hlane Royal National Park
- Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mlawula Nature Reserve
- Malolotja Nature Reserve
- Mbuluzi Game Reserve
- Shewula Nature Reserve
Hlane Royal National Park
Hlane Royal National Park is one of Eswatini’s best-known wildlife destinations.
The park contains savanna landscapes and is home to large mammals including elephants, lions and rhinoceroses.
It forms part of the country’s important network of protected wildlife areas.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Ezulwini Valley.
The sanctuary is known for its scenic landscapes and opportunities for walking, cycling and wildlife viewing.
Because it is close to major tourist areas, Mlilwane is one of the more accessible protected areas in Eswatini.
Malolotja Nature Reserve
Malolotja Nature Reserve lies in the highveld and is known for mountainous scenery, grasslands, valleys and hiking trails.
The reserve is particularly important for its highland landscapes and biodiversity.
The surrounding region is also associated with adventure tourism.
Ezulwini Valley
The Ezulwini Valley is one of Eswatini’s principal tourism areas.
The valley is surrounded by mountains and contains hotels, lodges, restaurants, cultural attractions, wildlife areas and recreational facilities.
Eswatini’s tourism authority describes Ezulwini as the country’s tourism hub.
Mbabane
Mbabane is the administrative capital and largest urban center in Eswatini’s western highlands.
The city is surrounded by mountains and has a cooler climate than the lowveld.
Important features include:
- Government offices
- Shopping centers
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Markets
- Cultural facilities
Mbabane serves as an important commercial and administrative center.
Lobamba
Lobamba is the traditional and legislative capital of Eswatini.
It is located in the Ezulwini Valley and is closely connected with the monarchy and national cultural institutions.
Important places include:
- Parliament
- Eswatini National Museum
- King Sobhuza II Memorial Park
- Royal residences
- Traditional ceremonial sites
The Eswatini National Museum was established in 1972 and contains exhibits covering the country’s culture, history and natural history.
Manzini
Manzini is Eswatini’s largest commercial center and an important transportation and business hub.
The city is located in the country’s Middleveld and has a major concentration of shops, businesses, markets and services.
The nearby King Mswati III International Airport provides international air connections.
Ngwenya Mine
The Ngwenya Mine is one of Eswatini’s most important archaeological and historical sites.
UNESCO’s Tentative List describes the mine as having evidence of iron-ore extraction dating back at least 42,000 years, making it an important site in the history of early mining.
The site is located near the northwestern border with South Africa.
The associated Lion Cavern is also recognized for its archaeological significance.
Rock Art and Archaeology
Eswatini contains rock-art sites associated with the San peoples who lived in southern Africa before the expansion of later farming communities.
The Nsangwini Rock Art site contains ancient paintings and is one of the country’s notable cultural attractions.
Eswatini’s tourism authority describes the paintings as being up to approximately 4,000 years old.
These sites provide evidence of the region’s long human history.
UNESCO Heritage
Eswatini is a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, but it currently has no property inscribed on the World Heritage List.
It has one property on the UNESCO Tentative List: Ngwenya Mines.
UNESCO has also supported work toward a possible extension of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage property into Eswatini. In 2023, UNESCO approved international assistance for preparatory work connected with the proposed extension.
Tourism in Eswatini
Tourism is an important part of Eswatini’s international identity.
The country offers a combination of:
- Wildlife
- Mountains
- Cultural experiences
- Traditional ceremonies
- Adventure activities
- Hiking
- Crafts
- Nature reserves
- Scenic valleys
The official tourism authority divides the country into regions with different tourism characteristics, including the cultural heartland around central Eswatini, highland landscapes in the northwest and wildlife areas in the southeast.
Adventure and Outdoor Activities
Eswatini offers numerous outdoor activities.
Popular options include:
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Wildlife safaris
- Birdwatching
- Horse riding
- Fishing
- Zip-line activities
- Nature walks
- Scenic drives
The mountainous western regions are particularly suited to hiking and adventure tourism.
The country’s small size also makes it possible to travel between different landscapes relatively quickly.
Education
Education in Eswatini includes primary and secondary schools, vocational institutions and universities.
The country has several higher-education institutions, including the University of Eswatini, Southern African Nazarene University and Eswatini Medical Christian University.
English is widely used in formal education, while siSwati remains central to cultural and everyday communication.
Transportation
Road transportation is the main way of traveling within Eswatini.
The country has road connections with both South Africa and Mozambique.
Major routes connect:
- Mbabane
- Manzini
- Lobamba
- Ezulwini
- Piggs Peak
- Nhlangano
- Siteki
Air Transportation
King Mswati III International Airport