Changes

*Ethnic groups: African 97%, European 3%.

*Ethnic groups: African 97%, European 3%.

*Religion: Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Baha'i, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%.  

*Religion: Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Baha'i, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%.  

*Education: Years compulsory--none. Attendance--65% primary and 44% secondary. Literacy--81.6%.  

*Education: Years compulsory—none. Attendance—65% primary and 44% secondary. Literacy—81.6%.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate (2007)--70/1,000. Life expectancy--40 years. The prevalence of HIV in Swaziland's adult population is 39%, the highest in the world.

*Health: Infant mortality rate (2007)--70/1,000. Life expectancy—40 years. The prevalence of HIV in Swaziland's adult population is 39%, the highest in the world.

*Work force: Agriculture and forestry--21.4%; construction--6.1%; distribution--10.5%; finance--8.3%; manufacturing--20.1%; mining and quarry--1%; services--32.6%; transport--2.9%.  

*Work force: Agriculture and forestry—21.4%; construction—6.1%; distribution—10.5%; finance—8.3%; manufacturing—20.1%; mining and quarry—1%; services—32.6%; transport—2.9%.  

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

Swaziland is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), with which the U.S. began negotiating a free trade agreement in May 2003. The other members of SACU are Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and South Africa.  

Swaziland is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), with which the U.S. began negotiating a free trade agreement in May 2003. The other members of SACU are Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and South Africa.  

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===

*Head of State--King Mswati III

*Head of State—King Mswati III

*Head of Government--Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini

*Head of Government—Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini

*Deputy Prime Minister--Constance Simelane

*Deputy Prime Minister—Constance Simelane

*Permanent Representative to the UN--Phesheya Dlamini

*Permanent Representative to the UN—Phesheya Dlamini

*Central Bank Governor--Martin Dlamini  

*Central Bank Governor—Martin Dlamini  

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

*Inflation (2007): 8.2%.

*Inflation (2007): 8.2%.

*Natural resources: Coal, diamonds, quarry stone, timber, talc.  

*Natural resources: Coal, diamonds, quarry stone, timber, talc.  

*Agriculture (11.8% of GDP): Products--sugarcane, corn, citrus fruits, livestock, wood, pineapple, tobacco, rice, peanuts.

*Agriculture (11.8% of GDP): Products—sugarcane, corn, citrus fruits, livestock, wood, pineapple, tobacco, rice, peanuts.

Manufacturing (45.7% of GDP): Types--sugar refining, light manufactured goods, wood pulp, textiles, processed foods, consumer goods.

Manufacturing (45.7% of GDP): Types—sugar refining, light manufactured goods, wood pulp, textiles, processed foods, consumer goods.

*Trade (2006): Exports--$1.93 billion: soft drink concentrates, sugar, pulp, canned fruits, cotton yarn. Major markets--South Africa, EU, Mozambique, U.S. Imports--$1.91 billion: chemicals, clothing, foodstuffs, machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum products.  

*Trade (2006): Exports--$1.93 billion: soft drink concentrates, sugar, pulp, canned fruits, cotton yarn. Major markets—South Africa, EU, Mozambique, U.S. Imports--$1.91 billion: chemicals, clothing, foodstuffs, machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum products.  

Nearly 60% of Swazi territory is held by the Crown in trust of the Swazi nation. The balance is privately owned, much of it by foreigners. The question of land use and ownership remains a very sensitive one. For Swazis living on rural homesteads, the principal occupation is either subsistence farming or livestock herding. Culturally, cattle are important symbols of wealth and status, but they are being used increasingly for milk, meat, and profit.  

Nearly 60% of Swazi territory is held by the Crown in trust of the Swazi nation. The balance is privately owned, much of it by foreigners. The question of land use and ownership remains a very sensitive one. For Swazis living on rural homesteads, the principal occupation is either subsistence farming or livestock herding. Culturally, cattle are important symbols of wealth and status, but they are being used increasingly for milk, meat, and profit.  

Contact with the British came early in Mswati's reign, when he asked British authorities in South Africa for assistance against Zulu raids into Swaziland. It also was during Mswati's reign that the first whites settled in the country. Following Mswati's death, the Swazis reached agreements with British and South African authorities over a range of issues, including independence, claims on resources by Europeans, administrative authority, and security. South Africans administered the Swazi interests from 1894 to 1902. In 1902 the British assumed control.  

Contact with the British came early in Mswati's reign, when he asked British authorities in South Africa for assistance against Zulu raids into Swaziland. It also was during Mswati's reign that the first whites settled in the country. Following Mswati's death, the Swazis reached agreements with British and South African authorities over a range of issues, including independence, claims on resources by Europeans, administrative authority, and security. South Africans administered the Swazi interests from 1894 to 1902. In 1902 the British assumed control.  

In 1921, after more than 20 years of rule by Queen Regent Lobatsibeni, Sobhuza II became Ngwenyama (lion) or head of the Swazi nation. The same year, Swaziland established its first legislative body--an advisory council of elected European representatives mandated to advise the British high commissioner on non-Swazi affairs. In 1944, the high commissioner conceded that the council had no official status and recognized the paramount chief, or king, as the native authority for the territory to issue legally enforceable orders to the Swazis.  

In 1921, after more than 20 years of rule by Queen Regent Lobatsibeni, Sobhuza II became Ngwenyama (lion) or head of the Swazi nation. The same year, Swaziland established its first legislative body—an advisory council of elected European representatives mandated to advise the British high commissioner on non-Swazi affairs. In 1944, the high commissioner conceded that the council had no official status and recognized the paramount chief, or king, as the native authority for the territory to issue legally enforceable orders to the Swazis.  

In the early years of colonial rule, the British had expected that Swaziland would eventually be incorporated into South Africa. After World War II, however, South Africa's intensification of racial discrimination induced the United Kingdom to prepare Swaziland for independence. Political activity intensified in the early 1960s. Several political parties were formed and jostled for independence and economic development. The largely urban parties had few ties to the rural areas, where the majority of Swazis lived. The traditional Swazi leaders, including King Sobhuza II and his Inner Council, formed the Imbokodvo National Movement (INM), a political group that capitalized on its close identification with the Swazi way of life. Responding to pressure for political change, the colonial government scheduled an election in mid-1964 for the first legislative council in which the Swazis would participate. In the election, the INM and four other parties, most having more radical platforms, competed in the election. The INM won all 24 elective seats.  

In the early years of colonial rule, the British had expected that Swaziland would eventually be incorporated into South Africa. After World War II, however, South Africa's intensification of racial discrimination induced the United Kingdom to prepare Swaziland for independence. Political activity intensified in the early 1960s. Several political parties were formed and jostled for independence and economic development. The largely urban parties had few ties to the rural areas, where the majority of Swazis lived. The traditional Swazi leaders, including King Sobhuza II and his Inner Council, formed the Imbokodvo National Movement (INM), a political group that capitalized on its close identification with the Swazi way of life. Responding to pressure for political change, the colonial government scheduled an election in mid-1964 for the first legislative council in which the Swazis would participate. In the election, the INM and four other parties, most having more radical platforms, competed in the election. The INM won all 24 elective seats.  

Although domestic groups and international observers criticized the government in late 2002 for interfering with the independence of the judiciary, parliament, and freedom of the press, significant improvements have been made concerning rule of law over the past few years. Swaziland's Court of Appeals resumed hearing cases in late 2004 after a two-year absence in protest of the government's refusal to abide by the court's decisions in two important rulings. In addition, the new constitution went into effect in early 2006, and the 1973 proclamation, which, among other measures, banned political parties, lapsed at that time.  

Although domestic groups and international observers criticized the government in late 2002 for interfering with the independence of the judiciary, parliament, and freedom of the press, significant improvements have been made concerning rule of law over the past few years. Swaziland's Court of Appeals resumed hearing cases in late 2004 after a two-year absence in protest of the government's refusal to abide by the court's decisions in two important rulings. In addition, the new constitution went into effect in early 2006, and the 1973 proclamation, which, among other measures, banned political parties, lapsed at that time.  

==External Links==

==External links==

[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/wz.html CIA World Factbook - Swaziland]

* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/wz.html CIA World Factbook - Swaziland]

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