1. Swaziland is the world’s smallest monarchy and the smallest country in the Southern hemisphere.
2. The country is named after Mswati II who was king from 1840-1868 and greatly extended the area of the country through victories in tribal wars.
3. The current king, Mswati III, has ruled since 1986. He currently has 15 wives.
4. More than 25 per cent of the people in Swaziland are infected with Aids. In 2001, King Mswati III imposed a rite called Umchwasho which prohibited teenage women from having sex.
5. When the king himself broke this law by marrying a 17-year-old, he fined himself one cow.
6. The king rules the country jointly with his mother who is known as the Great She-Elephant.
7. Under the rules of succession to the throne of Swaziland, any left-handed prince is barred from becoming king.
8. The Queen Mother is first chosen from among the late king’s wives and she must have only one son, for the new king must have no full brothers.
9. Children in Swaziland are considered rude if they make eye contact with adults.
10. Princesses are the only women in Swaziland allowed to dress in a manner showing their thighs.