The boundaries and names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. A former British protectorate, Swaziland gained its independence in September 1968. The country is one of the three remaining monarchies in Africa, with the Swazi King wielding executive power. Swaziland has good agricultural and forestry resources, irrigation potential and minerals, such as coal, asbestos and diamonds.
Sugar cane is the main export and it absorbs a vast majority of the manpower.
Most of the export commodities, mainly manufacturing products are sold to the South African market. The country's economy is highly dependent on that of South Africa's, with tourism playing a major role in the economy. Swaziland's telephone network has a capacity of over 38,000 lines. In 1998, the total number of connected lines account for 29,000 with a telephone density of 3.11 lines per hundred population.