The kingdom of the Swaziland is a country of southern Africa wedged between the South Africa and the Mozambique. Swaziland is the country in the world where the Life expectancy is weakest (32 years).
See also: History of Swaziland
Although remainders of occupations by the human ones dating of more than 100 000 years were found in Swaziland; the current population emigrated there at the 19th century, following the migrations of the populations bantoues and under the pressure of the Boer S in catch with the Zoulous. At the same time, the first white started to colonize the sector.
After the War of Boers, Swaziland became a British colony. Independence was granted to the country the September 6th 1968. Since then, the political life of Swaziland opposes the partisans of a Democratic regime to those of a Absolute monarchy.
The constitution in force prohibited the political parties.
The August 18th 2004, King Mswati III announced that the country was going to change Constitution. The defense organizations of the human rights and the groups of opposition denounced the project suggested of constitution, since it continued to prohibit the political parties and reinforced the capacities of the King. In spite of resistances of the groups of opposition, the new constitution of Swaziland was ratified by the King the July 26th 2005 and is coming into effect the February 8th 2006. The country remains a Absolute monarchy. The political parties are perceived only like " associations" and the Supreme court cannot consider businesses being able to imply Monarchy.
Swaziland is divided into four districts:
Swaziland offers a large variety of landscapes: mountains along the border with Mozambique, of the Savanna S in the East and of the rainy forests in the North-West. Several Fleuve S crosses the country, such as the Lusutfu. With 50 000 inhabitants, the capital Mbabane is more the big city of the country; other important cities are Manzini, Lobamba and Siteki.
The economy of Swaziland remains very dependant on its immediate neighbor South Africa, with which this country shares a very great part of its border. The imports since this country represent the 9/10es its total imports and 3/4 of exports of Swaziland are also done with this privileged partner. Despite everything the economy knows a certain diversification of its outlets, in particular through a rather strong opening towards the European Union, its second business partner with 14,2% of exports.
The currency of Swaziland is the Lilangeni (7,5 lilangeni for 1 dollar in 2004).
In spite of a development of industry since the Eighties, the primary sector in this country employs 80% more of the credits although this one accounts for only 16,4% of the GNP. Industries of service reach more than 40% of the total GNP which amounts to 1,4 billion dollar in 2001. The growth as for it amounts to 1,6% in 2001.
The economy of Swaziland is characterized by a very heavy unemployment rate (34%; 170e world rank in 2004). The production is especially agricultural (Canne with sugar, Coton, Tabac, Riz) but also industrial (raw materials, textile, etc…). However exports which represent a money entry of more than 900 million dollars do not cover the cost of the imports, which represent more than one billion dollar. The commercial Balance is thus overdrawn of 72 million dollars.
Swaziland must face important problems of development. With the 125e world rank for IDH, in spite of an international assistance in 2001 of 104 million dollars, this country still has the 42e stronger rate of Infant mortality of the world after the Burundi and the Mauritania (69,27 per thousand). With a 35,65 years life expectancy in 2004, Swaziland is located out of red lantern of the countries of the world (225e world rank). This country is touched also hard by the epidemic of HIV: it is indeed the country more touched sphere. The difficulties are also visible in the official expenditure: the budget deficit still reached in 2003,101 million dollars. The Inflation reached 7,3% front that which knows the Namibia and the Colombia.
Beats-smg: Svazėlands Simple: Swaziland Zh-min-nan: Swazi-tē
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