Officially name: Kingdom of Swaziland
Capital: Lobamba (royal and legislative), Mbabane (administrative)
Largest city: Mbabane
Official language: English, SiSwati
Government: Absolute Monarchy
Swaziland is divided into four regions. These regions are subdivided into 55 tinkhundla. These, in turn, are divided into imiphakatsi.
The Ezulwini Valley hosts two of Swaziland’s most magnificent traditional festivals, neither of which has changed much during the past 200 years. Young girls cut and present reeds to Swaziland’s Queen Mother during the Umhlanga Reed Dance, held between August and September, while the Incwala Ceremony pays tribute to Swaziland’s royal family at Lobamba’s royal palace. Swaziland’s most popular performing arts festival, the Bushfire Festival, offers a far more modern atmosphere at the House of Fire nightclub each May.