史瓦济兰(Swaziland)

正式名称为史瓦济兰王国（Kingdom of Swaziland）

非洲南部国家。面积17,364平方公里。人口约1,104,000（2001）。首都︰墨巴本（行政）；洛班巴（立法）。约9/10的人口为史瓦济人和近1/10的祖鲁人和其他极少数的少数民族。语言︰史瓦济语和英语（均为官方语）。宗教︰基督教、传统宗教。货币︰里兰吉尼（E）。为一内陆国，有高草原、中草原、低草原和东部的卢邦博陡崖。动物有河马、羚、斑马、鳄鱼。包括科马蒂在内的四条主要河流流贯全国并灌溉柑桔和甘蔗产区的土地。矿产有石绵和钻石。政府形式为君主国，两院制。国家元首暨政府首脑是国王，另由总理辅佐。

石器工具以及岩壁上的绘画表示史前时代该地区就有居民，但直到18世纪操班图诸语言的史瓦济人移居该地後才定居下来，并建立起史瓦济国家的核心。19世纪时，史瓦济国王请求英国帮助对付祖鲁人後，英国就取得了控制权。南非战争後，特兰斯瓦的英国总督负责管理史瓦济兰；1906年总督的权力转移给了英国的高级专员。1949年英国拒绝南非提出的联合请求以便控制史瓦济兰。1963年史瓦济兰获得有限的自治，1968年获得独立。1970年代，在国王以及传统的部落政府最高权威的基础上制定了一部新宪法。1990年代期间，要求民主的力量升高，但该王国还维持原状。

English version：

Swaziland

Nation, southern Africa. Area: 6,704 sq mi (17,364 sq km). Population (1997 est.): 1,032,000. Capitals: Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative). About nine-tenths of the population is Swazi and about one-tenth Zulu, with a small number of other minorities. Languages: Swazi, English (both official). Religions: Christianity, animism. Currency: lilangeni. The landlocked country is composed of high, middle, and low velds, culminating in the Lubombo escarpment in the east. Fauna includes hippopotamus, antelope, zebra, and crocodile. Four major rivers, including the Komati, flow through the country and irrigate citrus and sugarcane estates. Mineral resources include asbestos and diamonds. It is a monarchy with two legislative houses; its head of state and government is the king, assisted by the prime minister. Stone tools and rock paintings indicate prehistoric habitation in the region, but it was not settled until the Bantu-speaking Swazi people migrated there in the 18th century and established the nucleus of the Swazi nation. The British gained control in the 19th century after the Swazi king sought their aid against the Zulus. Following the South African War, the British governor of Transvaal administered Swaziland; his powers were transferred to the British high commissioner in 1906. In 1949 the British rejected the Union of South Africa's request to control Swaziland. The country gained limited self-government in 1963 and achieved independence in 1968. In the 1970s new constitutions were framed based on the supreme authority of the king and traditional tribal government. During the 1990s forces demanding democracy arose, but the kingdom remained in place.