Mbabane - the capital of Swaziland
It is not clear which city is considered the main one in this African state. On the one hand, it is known that the official capital of Swaziland is Mbabane, which is at the same time the administrative center of the district with a funny name for our ear, Hoho. On the other hand, all sources indicate that there is a second, royal and parliamentary capital, the city of Lobamba.
Interesting facts about the capital of Swaziland
The famous Wikipedia reports very little information about the capital of the state, located in the southeastern part of the Black Continent. First, it is known that Mbabane is one of the smallest capitals in the world, its population does not even reach 100 thousand people. Secondly, the original purpose of the settlement was a fortress, founded on the border of the 17th - 18th centuries. and served as a shelter for local residents from numerous external enemies. The third interesting fact is that a fairly large asbestos deposit was discovered near the Swaziland capital, and its active development is now underway..
Another surprising fact is that the capital of Swaziland has as many as two sister cities. One of them is a fairly well-known Taipei, located in the Republic of China, the second is Fort Worth (USA).
Natural and cultural attractions
Mbabane may have bright prospects, but today the capital of Swaziland is not very interesting for tourists. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that there are practically no interesting historical sites and monuments in the city. On the other hand, the city cannot boast of the presence of modern architectural masterpieces that could attract travelers from all over the world. To do this, you need to go to the second capital - Lobamba to see, for example, the Embo Royal Palace - from the name it is clear that this is the residence of the head of state.
Among the natural attractions located in the vicinity of Mbabane, the guests of the country point out: the natural park and reserve Malolotzha. The natural park, which has the beautiful name of Mlilvane, is located in a picturesque place - it is surrounded by the jagged peak of Nyonyan. Traveling around the area, you can come across zebras and giraffes, crocodiles and hippos. The park is also home to a large number of birds, the main one is the purple loris - the national symbol of Swaziland.
The Malolotzha nature reserve is located 20 kilometers from the capital, which is named after the most beautiful local waterfall. Descriptions of the reserve, which can be found in booklets, cannot be compared with what tourists can see in reality. Rare birds and plants, unique natural landscapes, cultural trails and modern recreation camps are available to travelers.
