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Swaizland Quick Facts
Author: Beda Biswalo
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Swaizland Quick Facts
Airport
Matsapha International Airport-Swaziland's only airport is at Matsapha, near Manzini, about 40 km away from Mbabane.Schedules and tickets often refer to the airport as Manzini.
Visas
Required by all except nationals of : Britain; Australia; Canada; USA; Bahamas; Barbados; Botswana; Cyprus; Fiji; Gambia; Grenada; Ghana; Guyana; Iceland; Israel; Jamaica; Kenya; Lesotho; Malawi; Malaysia; Malta; Namibia; Nauru; New Zealand; Norway; Papua New Guinea; San Marino; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Singapore; Solomon Islands; South Africa; Sweden; Tanzania; Tonga; Trinidad & Tobago; Uganda; Uruguay; W. Samoa; Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Currency
Lilangeni (E) = 100 cents. South African Rand is also accepted as legal tender.
Credit Cards
Visa and Master Card are present but not in abundance. Many larger firms accept American Express as well.
Tipping
Tipping is not part of the culture. However, at the large hotels and upscale restaurants, tipping is suggested.
Useful Numbers
Country Code: 268
Outgoing Code: International calls must go through the operator.
Electricity
20 Volts AC 50 Hz Plugs = 15amp round pin.
Health Risks
Polio; Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria : Exists throughout the year in certain areas in the Falciparum variety. resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia; Meningitis (recommended); Rabies.
Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Time Zone
GMT +2
Business Hours
Most stores and shops are open by 9 AM are mainly open until noon and will remain closed until 1:30 or 2 PM. Most shops close at about 6 PM.
Banks are open by 9:30 in the morning and close around 2-3 PM.
Climate
Varies from tropical to near temperate. Summers on the plains are very hot while, fortunately, at higher elevations it is somewhat cooler. From November to March is the rainy season with much of the precipitation coming in torrents particularly in the western mountains area.
Clothing
Business: Dressing in a light woven business suite is recommended. Year round,ladies need summer dresses, skirts, slacks and blouses. In the evening on the Highveld and during the winter months (May to September) a sweater is necessary. Gentlemen could wear lightweight lounge suits, slacks and sportcoats, safari suits with either long or short trousers,shorts and casual shirts. During the evening, at smart hotels and restaurants, gentlemen are expected to wear a jacket and a tie. Formal evening dress is seldom worn unless visitors are attending a gala function or elegant private dinner party.
GDP Growth Rate
2.2%
Inflation
7.3%
Exports
Soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit.
Imports
Motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals.
Trading Partners
South Africa, EU, Mozambique, US, Japan , Singapore.
Industries
Mining (coal), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textile and apparel.
Government
Monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
Geography
Landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa. Mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Population
Swaziland: 1.1 million
Ethnic Groups
African 97%, European 3%
Languages
English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Literacy
81.6%
Religion
Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship) 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30%
GDP (2004): $2.8 billion.
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