Swaziland, now known as the Kingdom of eSwatini, is one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies. Visibly it is a beautiful country, but a very poor one, and has the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world.

A fully independent nation since 1968, this African kingdom originated in the early 19th century and maintained its cultural identity as a British protectorate—never absorbed into South Africa—through much of the 20th century. Today, Swaziland has a population of about 1.3 million and is a peaceful, agricultural country where ancient and modern ways mingle.