Eswatini: flag, capital, currency and history

Eswatini, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini, is a country in Southern Africa, Africa. Its capital is Lobamba. The currency is the Swazi lilangeni and South African rand. Languages spoken include English and Swazi.

Quick facts about Eswatini

Official name: Kingdom of Eswatini
Capital: Lobamba
Region: Africa, Southern Africa
Currency: Swazi lilangeni (SZL, L)
South African rand (ZAR, R)
Languages: English, Swazi
Calling code: +268
Internet domain: .sz
Area: 17,364 km² (6,704 sq mi)
Land borders: Mozambique, South Africa
Demonym: Swazi
National day: Independence Day, September 6

Flag of Eswatini

Download the flag of Eswatini as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇸🇿.

SVG (vector)

History of Eswatini

The Swazi kingdom took shape in the early nineteenth century under King Sobhuza I and his predecessors, consolidating clans in the region between present-day Mozambique and South Africa. Under pressure from the Zulu and from European settlers and concession seekers, the kingdom accepted British protection. After the South African War it was administered as a British protectorate from 1903. Eswatini became independent on 6 September 1968 as a monarchy. In 2018 the king announced that the country's name would change from Swaziland to Eswatini. Lobamba is the legislative capital, and Mbabane the administrative one.

Key dates

1815Sobhuza I leads the Swazi people to settle the heartland of the future kingdom.
1903Britain establishes formal administration of Swaziland as a protectorate.
1967Swaziland becomes a protected state with internal self-government.
1968Swaziland gains independence from Britain on 6 September.
1973The independence constitution is suspended by royal decree.
2018The country is officially renamed the Kingdom of Eswatini.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.