Official Name: Umbuso weSwatini (Swazi); Kingdom of Swaziland (English)

Area: Africa

Size: 17,363 km²

Coastline: landlocked

Independence: from the UK September 6, 1968 

Form of Govt.: Monarchy

Head of Govt.: Prime Minister

Capital: Mbabane

Largest City: Mbabane

Demographics (2005): 1,032,000.    59 /km²

African (Swazi) 97%, European 3%, small numbers of Zulu and Mozambican refugees.

GDP per Capita (2005): $5,245

Languages: English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)

Geography: The country is part of the South African Plateau and is divided into four regions. (1.) The High Veld in the west which averages between 1,050 and 1,200 metres (3,445 to 3,937 feet) in elevation. (2.) The Middle Veld which averages between 450 and 600 metres (1,476 to 1,968 feet) in elevation. (3.) The Low Veld to the east which averages between 150 and 300 metres (492 to 984 feet) in elevation. (4.) The Lebombo Range to the east of the Low Veld which separates the country from Mozambique's coastal plain. The country is drained by four large rivers, the Komati, Umbeluzi, Great Usutu and Ngwavuma.

Climate: Swaziland has a subtropical climate which varies from region to region. The High Veld region has a humid temperate climate with average annual precipitation varying from 1,000 mm to 2,300 mm. The Middle Veld and Lebombo Range have a subtropical climate with average annual precipitation varying from 900 mm to 1,150 mm. The Low Veld has a tropical and semiarid climate with average annual precipitation varying from 500 mm to 900 mm. Average temperature ranges in Mbabane are from 6 to 17 degrees in June to 15 to 25 degrees in January or February.