Swaziland has 2 capitals: Lobamba, the legislative capital, and Mbabane, the executive capital. Lobamba is located just under 10 miles from Mbabane, both of which are in the Hhohho district in the western region of the country. Mbabane sits along the banks of the Mbabane river. Because Swaziland has a constitutional monarchy political framework, the monarch works closely with Parliament to govern the country. Lobamba has been the site of the royal residence for many years and when the country became a member of the Commonwealth Parliament Association in 1965, it was the logical location for the parliamentary building. Mbabane became the administrative center of the country under British colonialism in 1902. It has remained the seat of executive power in this country.
The population of Lobamba is approximately 11,000, which represents significant growth over its 1997 population size of only 3,625. Today, the majority of the individuals in Lobamba identify as the Swazi ethnicity (84.3%). An additional 9.9% of the population identify as Zulu. In Mbabane, the population size is 94,874, making it the most populated city in Swaziland. Like in Lobamba, the majority of the individuals here identify as Swazi.
Lobamba is home to a number of attractions that tourists might find interesting. Among these is the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, which offers safaris and hiking opportunities to visitors. Additionally, the National Museum of Swaziland is located here. It hosts exhibits on King Sobhuza II, natural history, and the British colonial era. Mbabane is also a popular city with tourists in Swaziland. Here, visitors can observe traditional dance exhibitions at the Mantenga Reserve and learn how candles are made at the Swazi Candle Factory nearby. Additionally, this city offers a number of shops where tourists can purchase traditional souvenirs.
Both Lobamba and Mbabane are located in the subtropical highland climate zone. Because of the relatively high elevations of these cities, the temperatures here are generally mild. The hottest weather occurs in January, when temperatures reach an average of around 72° fahrenheit. The coolest temperatures are recorded in July, when the average is around 52° fahrenheit.
This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018
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