Eswatini, a captivating landlocked nation nestled on the eastern side of South Africa, sharing its borders with Mozambique. It stretches approximately 110 miles (175 km) from north to south and around 80 miles (130 km) from west to east at its widest points.

During the colonial era, Eswatini, initially a protectorate and later an independent nation, was widely recognized as Swaziland. The name Swazi originates from an early king and nation builder, Mswati II, who reigned from 1840 to 1868. The heart of the nation is Mbabane, which once served as the capital during the British colonial era. The national capital serves as the residence of King Mswati III and his mother, located approximately 11 miles from Mbabane, at Phondvo near Lobamba, where the parliament buildings and various national institutions can be found. In April 2018, the king declared a thrilling transformation, renaming the official title of the country from the Kingdom of Swaziland to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Terrain and earth
Eswatini. Map showcasing physical features. Comes with a locator.
A long and intricate geologic history has shaped a landscape brimming with unexpected diversity in relief, climate, and soils for such a compact country. There are four distinct physiographic regions, stretching from north to south in roughly parallel bands. Stretching from west to east, one can find the Highveld, the Middleveld, the Lowveld, and the Lubombo (Lebombo) escarpment. The oldest formations can be found in the west, while the youngest are located in the east.

The Highveld, spanning roughly 30 percent of the nation, is a fascinating landscape of granites and ancient metamorphosed quartzites, sandstones, and volcanics, shaped into a rugged mountain terrain through the forces of erosion. The typical elevation ranges from 3,500 to 4,500 feet (1,100 to 1,400 metres), with the tallest peaks being the summit massifs of Bulembu at 6,108 feet (1,862 metres) and Ngwenya at 5,997 feet (1,828 metres) located in the far west. Revered by the Swazi as Inkangala, a chilly and barren expanse, the Highveld remained the final frontier of settlement in the country. The rich, weathered hues of red to yellow in the acid soils have emerged on the softer slopes and within the winding river valleys.

The Middleveld spans roughly a quarter of the nation, boasting an average elevation of 2,000 to 2,500 feet (610 to 760 metres). It is a land of undulating hills and expansive, lush valleys. The landscape is predominantly shaped by ancient granites and gneisses, along with dolerites and quartzites. Over time, these formations have weathered significantly, resulting in loose red and clay loams, mixed with shallower layers of sands and sandy loams. To the Swazi, it is referred to as Live (“The Country”) or Inkabave (“The Navel”), and it serves as the vibrant core of the Swazi nation.

The Lowveld, or Bushveld, spans almost 40 percent of the country, characterized by its gently rolling terrain punctuated by sudden rises of isolated knolls and ridges that soar above the typical elevation of 500 to 1,000 feet. Overall, the soils showcase a fascinating shift from the acidic granites and sandstones of the western Lowveld to the richer basalts and dolerites found in the east—transitioning from sandy loams in the west to the vibrant red and black clays in the east, which are among the most fertile soils in the nation. This area is known as Lihlanze by the Swazi, which translates to a cozy spot adorned with trees—representing the quintessential African savanna in its untouched form.

The Lubombo escarpment and plateau spans roughly 5 percent of the country, comprising a narrow strip of approximately 600 square miles. It ascends sharply from the Lowveld to an average height of 2,000 feet, with towering peaks (Siteki and Mananga) reaching approximately 2,500 feet in the northern region. The landscape is intricately carved by the gorges of three major rivers that flow across the country from west to east: the Umbuluzi, the Usutu, and the Ingwavuma. The soils of the plateau are a fascinating mix, ranging from shallow sands to rich, deeper loams, shaped by the unique volcanic lavas that create the bedrock beneath. The Swazi refer to this part of the country without a specific name.

Drainage Eswatini boasts some of the finest water resources in southern Africa. Majestic rivers, originating in South Africa, journey through the land towards the vast Indian Ocean. They are the Lomati, the Komati, the Umbuluzi, and the Usutu, each flowing with stories waiting to be discovered. The Usutu boasts the largest catchment in the country, featuring three prominent tributaries: the Usushwana, the Ngwempisi, and the Mkhondvo. In the south, the Ingwavuma flows forth from western Eswatini, carving its path through the Lubombo.