The Kingdom of Swaziland is a country in south east Africa. It has a total area of 17,360 km2. The climate varies from tropical to near temperate. The terrain is mostly mountains and hilly with some moderately sloping plains. Natural resources are asbestos, coal, clay, tin, hydroelectric power, forests, and small gold and diamond deposits. The religion is 60% Christian, 40% indigenous beliefs. The official language is Siswati but English is also spoken.
Swaziland's earliest known inhabitants were the Ndwande people who were conquered in the 18th century by the Ngwane who established the Swazi kingdom in 1820. European settlers arrived in the 1880's and were granted concessions which eventually threatened Swazi independence resulting in the Swazi kingdom being placed under administration from British Transvaal. Swaziland became self governing in 967 and independent in 1968 under King Sobhuza II. Research Swaziland
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Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Swaziland
