Background: Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s have pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy.

NOTE: The information regarding Swaziland on this page is re-published from the 2001 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Swaziland Introduction 2001 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Swaziland Introduction 2001 should be addressed to the CIA.