Officially renamed as the Kingdom of Eswatini, this landlocked country in southern Africa used to be known as Swaziland. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa and is ruled by a monarch. As a developing nation, Eswatini faces many health and economic hurdles whose currency is pegged to the South African rand.
Eswatini’s geography includes many mountain ranges along the border with Mozambique, as well as savannas and rainforests to its east and west. The country also has several nature reserves which includes many different animal and bird species such as white-backed vultures, Cape vultures and martial eagles.
Umhlanga, a reed dance held in early fall, and incwala, a kingship dance held in the winter, are the nation’s most important cultural events. The population is composed primarily of ethnic Swazis who speak Swazi as their official language.