Forestry production is increasingly important. Diamonds, asbestos, gold, coal, and kaolin are the main mineral resources. Light manufacturing industries are being developed, and tourism is a growing industry. The principal exports are sugar, wood products, fruit, diamonds, and asbestos. The constitution of 1978 vests executive power in a king who appoints, and is assisted by, a prime minister and cabinet.
Judicial authority is vested in a high court and subordinate courts.
Civil matters among Swazi are handled by traditional leaders, subject to appeals to the high court. Swaziland belongs to several Southern African regional groups. When European settlers entered the area during the 1880s, the Swazi granted concessions to them that endangered the independence of the territory. Administration passed to the British governor of Transvaal in 1903 and to the British high commissioner for South Africa in 1907. In 1967 Swaziland became internally self-governing.