Area 17,365 sq km
Population 1.1 million
Capital Mbabane (Lobamba, is the royal and legislative capital)
Languages English, Swati
Money Lilangeni
Government Monarchy (one of the last absolute monarchies in the world)
Economy Main exports are sugar, grown on plantations throughout Swaziland, soft drink concentrates, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice and wood pulp.
Geography Vast majority of the terrain mountainous and hilly, especially along the borders of the country to the east and west. The north-west of the country actually boasts some small patches of montane rainforest.
Demographic The population is divided roughly between Nguni, Sotho and Tsonga, the remainder being 3% white.
Home Swazis build their huts depending on whether they are descended from Nguni or Sotho: Nguni huts are beehive in shape; Sotho huts have window frames and full doorways.
Health Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world; nearly 1 in 3 adults are infected.
Holiday
1) King's Birthday on April 19 is celebrated with a national 'day off'
2) Reed (Umhlanga) Dance, a three day ceremony which takes place around August when thousands of maidens (virgins) congregate from all over Swaziland. The King is permitted to pick a new bride from their number.
That is a snap shot of Swazi on paper. Here is the Swazi I wake up to every morning. I'll take my Swazi as it is simply splendid!
We are serving at El Shaddai Childrens Home which is located on a mountain top just outside Mbabane. Our charge is to repaint the interior and exterior of the school, design and paint a mural on the wall of the kitchen, host church on Sunday and chapel each night of the week, love on the 10-15 nursery aged children daily, and play with/speak life into all the 20 – 40 orphans onsite.
http://elshaddaiswaziland.wordpress.com/about/
Five Sense Show Down (initial reactions on my first few days in Swaziland):
1) Sight – I confess, on the drive in, I told a teammate, "I'm like a dog with my head out the window my sense are so overwhelmed with joy!" This place is ridiculous and I could feel my soul bubbling over with elation at each bend in the road. Rolling green hills, living on top of a mountain, and crossing over the dam, I am in Gods country and experiencing a taste of home away from here. In short, it was hard to close my eyes on night one for fear it all might slip away.
2) Sound – It is a mix of quiet, laughter, rain, wind and everything good in nature.
3) Smell – Fresh, clean country.
4) Taste – Our welcome dinner was one of my favorites – chicken curry and rice for dinner. I was a glutton and it was SO good!
5) Touch – A gentle breeze and the warmth of the sun; hugs from God!
