Swaziland, officially Kingdom of Swaziland is a country in the eastern flank of South Africa, where it adjoins Mozambique.
The landlocked Kingdom of Swaziland is the last absolute monarchy in Africa. Swaziland became an independent state in 1968, after gaining its sovereignty from the United Kingdom.
Swaziland is one of the smallest countries in Africa. The name Swazi is the Anglicized name of an early king and nation builder, Mswati II, who ruled from 1840 to 1868.
According to UNICEF Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world. The HIV-Aids virus has killed countless Swazis who have left behind thousands of orphans.
Some 210,000 people, out of a population of 1.2 million, are estimated to be living with HIV. Elections are held every five years to determine the House of Assembly and the Senate majority. The current constitution was adopted in 2005.
The official languages are Swazi, and English. The currencies used are the South African rand and the Swazi lilangeni.