Swaziland

American  

[swah-zee-land] / ˈswɑ ziˌlænd /

noun

1. a kingdom in SE Africa between S Mozambique and the E Republic of South Africa: formerly a British protectorate. 6,704 sq. mi. (17,363 sq. km). Mbabane.

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Swaziland British  

/ ˈswɑːzɪˌlænd /

noun

1. a kingdom in southern Africa: made a protectorate of the Transvaal by Britain in 1894; gained independence in 1968; a member of the Commonwealth. Official languages: Swazi and English. Religion: Christian majority, traditional beliefs. Currency: lilangeni (plural emalangeni) and South African rand. Capital: Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (legislative). Pop: 1 403 362 (2013 est). Area: 17 363 sq km (6704 sq miles)

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Swaziland Cultural  

1. Kingdom in southeastern Africa, bordered by South Africa to the south, west, and north, and Mozambique to the east.

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Discover More

The Swazi people resisted Afrikaner demands for incorporation into South Africa. After the collapse of apartheid, Swaziland established diplomatic relations with South Africa.

In 1903, Swaziland became a British territory. It became fully independent in 1968.

Example Sentences

Rhodesia became Zimbabwe in 1980, and Swaziland Eswatini in 2018.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Formerly known as Swaziland, the country is the last absolute monarchy in Africa.

From Barron's • Nov. 17, 2025

The country of Eswatini used to be known as Swaziland.

From NewsForKids.net • Apr. 29, 2024

"Even if they got elected into parliament, they do not have the power to hold the executive accountable, including the absolute monarchy," Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of Swaziland News, told the BBC's Newsday programme.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2023

We made the difficult decision to send Zeni and Zindzi to boarding school in Swaziland.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela