Head of State:

His Majesty King Mswati III.

Head of Government:

The Rt. Hon. Obed Mfanyana Dlamini, M.P.

Form of government:

Monarchy, with democratic features designed to accord with Swazi tradition and custom

Independence:

6 September 1968.

Area:

17 364 km².

Capital:

Mbabane (pop. 38000).

Languages:

Siswati and English.

Population:

681 059 (1986) growth rate: 3.4% urbanised: 29.7%

Currency:

Lilangeni (plural Emalangeni).

Literacy:

67%.

Life expectancy:

55 years.

Infant mortality:

118 per 1 000.

Main crops:

sugar, cotton, citrus, pineapples, maize, tobacco.

Mineral potential:

coal, diamonds, asbestos, gold.

GDP by sector

origin (1988):

manufacturing (23.8 %); agriculture (23.3 %); government services(17.8%); wholesale, retail, hotels and restaurants (10.3%); transport and communications (6%).

Exports:

sugar (35 %); woodpulp (18%); soft drink concentrates, canned fruit, citrus, meat, coal, asbestos, textile yarn

Imports:

machinery and transport equipment (24%); minerals, fuels and lubricants (15%); food and live animals (10%); manufactures (13 %); chemicals and chemical products (7%)

Visible trade balance:

(E. ‘000) 202801 (1988).

Rate of inflation:

13% (1989).

Imports:

Common Customs Area (i.e. Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa) 80%

Exports:

Common Customs Area, United Kingdom