Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor
King: Mswati III
Population
109,011
1,386,914
Life Expectancy
73.300 years
49.420 years
Capital City
Mbabane
Largest city
Saint George's (population: 7,500)
Manzini (population: 110,537)
Human Development Index
0.774
0.542
GDP per capita
$5,400 US
Literacy Rate
96%
81.6%
Corruption Perception Index
NA
3.6
Percentage of Women in Parliament
21.4%
0%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
40.000%
Death Penalty
Abolished in practice
Abolished in practice
Political System
parliamentary democracy
monarchy
Independence date
6 September 1968 (from UK)
Religions
Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%
Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%
Languages
English (official), French patois
English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Exports
soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
External Debt
$703,100,000 US
Exchange Rate
emalangeni per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.4 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
4.700%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
