Swaziland Country & Tourist Information

Location
Southern Africa.

Area
17,363 sq km (6704 sq miles).

Population
980,722 (1997).

Population Density
56.5 per sq km.

Capital
Mbabane.
Population: 73,000 (UN projection 2000).

Government
Constitutional monarchy since 1973. Gained independence from the UK in 1968. 

Language
English and siSwati.

Religion
60 per cent Christian, with most of the remainder adhering to traditional beliefs.

Time
GMT + 2.

Electricity
220/30 volts AC, 50Hz; 15-amp round pin plugs are in use.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Themba Dlamini since 2003.

Head of State
King Mswati III since 1986.

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 268. Outgoing international calls must go through the international operator. Public telephones are available.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone operators. Coverage is mostly good, but can be patchy in rural areas.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in main towns.

Media



Post
Post offices are in all main centers. Airmail to Europe is unreliable and can take from two weeks to two months. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1700, Sat 0800-1100.

Press
The English-language newspapers in Swaziland are The Swazi Observer and The Times of Swaziland.

Radio
State-run Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Service operates The Siswati Channel, The English Channel and The Information Service.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
6 Apr Good Friday.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
19 Apr Birthday of King Mswati.
25 Apr National Flag Day.
1 May Labor Day.
17 May Ascension.
22 Jul Birthday of the Late King Sobhuza.
Aug/Sep* Umhlanga, Reed Dance Day.
6 Sep Somhlolo Day (Independence Day).
Dec/Jan* Incwala Ceremony.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
21 Mar Good Friday. 
24 Mar Easter Monday.
19 Apr Birthday of King Mswati.
25 Apr National Flag Day.
1 May Labor Day. 
1 May Ascension.
22 Jul Birthday of the Late King Sobhuza.
Aug/Sep* Umhlanga, Reed Dance Day.
6 Sep Somhlolo Day (Independence Day).
Dec/Jan* Incwala Ceremony.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.


Note
*The dates of the Umhlanga and Incwala ceremonies vary according to local sightings of the moon. Contact the embassy/high commission for further details.

Contact Information:

Ministry of Tourism
PO Box 2652, Mbabane, Swaziland
Tel: (40) 46421 or 46556.
Website: www.mintour.gov.sz

Kingdom of Swaziland High Commission in the UK
20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB, UK
Tel: (020) 7630 6611.
Website: www.swaziland.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0900-1630, Fri 0900-1600 (by appointment only).

Embassy of the Kingdom of Swaziland in the USA
1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 234 5002.
E-mail: embassy@swaziland-usa.com


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