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Hawane Nature Reserve
Hawane Nature Reserve was first established in 1978 to protect an area of marsh along the Mbuluzi River in Eswatini. This area included the natural habitat of '' Kniphofia umbrina'', a rare Eswatini endemic red hot poker. When the Hawane dam was built in 1988 to provide Mbabane's water supply, the reserve was expanded to protect the surrounding wetlands. The reserve is managed by the Swaziland National Trust Commission. The reserve's main attraction is its wealth of birdlife. A trail is provided for bird-watching. Bird species include lanner falcon, egyptian goose, pied kingfisher and white-faced whistling duck. References See also * List of birds of Eswatini This is a list of the bird species recorded in Eswatini. The avifauna of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) include a total of 519 species, of which 5 have been introduced by humans. Three species listed are extirpated in Eswatini. This list's taxo ... Protected areas of Eswatini Protected areas established in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar sites (wetlands). It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971. Every three years, representatives of the contracting parties meet as the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP), the policy-making organ of the convention which adopts decisions (resolutions and recommendations) to administer the work of the convention and improve the way in which the parties are able to implement its objectives. COP12 was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in 2015. COP13 was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in October 2018. List of wetlands of international importance The list of wetlands of international importance included 2,331 Ramsar sites in May 2018 covering over . The countries with most sites are the United Ki ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mbuluzi River
The Mbuluzi River (also known as the iMbuluzi or Umbeluzi) is one of the main rivers of Eswatini, and an important river in Mozambique. On the boundary of these countries, the Mbuluzi cuts through the Lebombo Range, before entering the Mozambican plain. It empties into the Estuário do Espírito Santo and then Maputo Bay at Maputo, and its waters pass under the Maputo–Katembe bridge, completed in 2018. The river has two sources, one in the highveld north of Mbabane, which is known as the Black Mbuluzi, and a second in the middleveld near Manzini, which is known as the White Mbuluzi, or ''imBuluzane''. The river passes through the northeastern lowveld of Eswatini, specifically traversing Hlane Royal National Park and Shewula Nature Reserve. In Eswatini, in the vicinity of the sugar plantations of Mhlume, the river is impounded by the Mnjoli Dam. In Mozambique it is known as the Umbeluzi, and is impounded there by the Pequenos Libombos Dam. The river is augmented by variou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eswatini
Eswatini ( ; ss, eSwatini ), officially the Kingdom of Eswatini and formerly named Swaziland ( ; officially renamed in 2018), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its north, west, south, and southeast. At no more than north to south and east to west, Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa; despite this, its climate and topography are diverse, ranging from a cool and mountainous highveld to a hot and dry Veld, lowveld. The population is composed primarily of ethnic Swazi people, Swazis. The prevalent language is Swazi language, Swazi (''siSwati'' in native form). The Swazis established their kingdom in the mid-18th century under the leadership of Ngwane III. The country and the Swazi take their names from Mswati II, the 19th-century king under whose rule the country was expanded and unified; its boundaries were drawn up in 1881 in the midst of the Scramble for Africa. After the Second Boer W ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kniphofia Umbrina
''Kniphofia umbrina'', called the Eswati poker, is a species of flowering plant in the genus ''Kniphofia''. The species is native to an area near Forbes Reef in Eswatini, just to the north of Mbabane. Description Plants are herbaceous perennials which may grow up to tall. Stems emerge from a thick rhizome, with 6-8 leaves per stem. Flowers are brown, slightly scented, and form a raceme. It is similar in characteristics to '' Kniphofia typhoides''. Habitat The species is native to sourveld, rocky grassland in a temperate climate. Soils in the area are acidic, high in clay and organic matter, and serpentiferous. Their observed distribution covers approximately . The habitat falls on Swazi Nation Land, as well as on the Hawane Nature Reserve. Conservation The species was first listed by the IUCN as vulnerable in 1978 after a detailed survey. There were between 3,000 and 4,000 estimated individuals. The population was initially threatened by maize cultivation and road constructi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kniphofia
''Kniphofia'' is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Asphodelaceae, first described as a genus in 1794. Species are native to Africa. Common names include tritoma, red hot poker, torch lily and poker plant. Description Herbaceous species and hybrids have narrow, grass-like leaves long, while evergreen species have broader, strap-shaped foliage up to long. All plants produce spikes of upright, brightly coloured flowers well above the foliage, in shades of red, orange and yellow, often bicoloured. The flowers produce copious nectar while blooming and are attractive to bees and sunbirds. In the New World, they may attract nectarivores such as hummingbirds and New World orioles. Etymology The genus ''Kniphofia'' is named after Johann Hieronymus Kniphof, an 18th-century German physician and botanist. Species There are about 73 described species, including two hybrids. # '' Kniphofia acraea'' Codd - Cape Provinces of South Africa # '' Kniphofia albescens'' Codd ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mbabane
Mbabane (; ss, ÉMbábáne, ) is a city in Eswatini (previously called Swaziland), and is one of the two capitals (along with Lobamba), serving as the executive capital. With an estimated population of 94,874 (2010), it is located on the Mbabane River and its tributary the Polinjane River in the Mdzimba Mountains. It is located in the Hhohho Region, of which it is also the capital. The average elevation of the city is 1,243 meters. It lies on the MR3 road. History The town grew after the nation's administrative centre moved from Bremersdorp (now called Manzini) in 1902. It derives its name from a chief, Mbabane Kunene, who lived in the area when British settlers arrived. Mbabane was founded in 1887 by Mickey Wells, on the spot where the Transvaal-to-Mozambique route crossed the Mbabane river. It was declared the capital of the new Protectorate of Swaziland in 1902. During this time, Mbabane consisted of a few shops, churches and schools founded by white settlers. Black A ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Swaziland National Trust Commission
The Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC) is the custodian of Eswatini's cultural and natural heritage. It is governed by The National Trust Commission Act of 1972. It is a parastatal of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Nature It is responsible for Hawane Nature Reserve, Malolotja Nature Reserve 280px, View on the national park Malolotja National Park covers of mountain wilderness on Eswatini's northwestern border with South Africa. The park includes Ngwenya Mountain, Eswatini's second highest mountain (1,829 m), and Malolotja Falls which ..., Mantenga Nature Reserve and Mlawula Nature Reserve. Culture It operates the Swaziland National Museum and Mantenga Swazi Cultural Village. National Monuments Three sites have been proclaimed National Monuments and a number of further sites are being investigated with a view to future proclamation. References External linksOfficial website of the Swaziland National Trust Commission {{authority control Nationa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rough Guides
Rough Guides Ltd is a British travel guide book and reference publisher, which has been owned by APA Publications since November 2017. In addition to publishing guidebooks, the company also provides a tailor-made trips service based on customers’ individual criteria. The Rough Guides travel titles cover more than 200 destinations beginning with the 1982 ''Rough Guide to Greece'', a book conceived by Mark Ellingham, who was dissatisfied with the polarisation of existing guidebooks between cost-obsessed student guides and "heavyweight cultural tomes". Initially aimed at low-budget backpackers, the guidebooks have incorporated more expensive recommendations since the early 1990s, and are now marketed to travellers on all budgets. Since the late 1990s the books have contained colour printing. Much of the books' travel content is also available online. Penguin became responsible for sales and distribution in 1992, acquiring a majority stake in 1996 and buying Rough Guides outri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lanner Falcon
The lanner falcon (''Falco biarmicus'') is a medium-sized bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. It prefers open habitat and is mainly resident, but some birds disperse more widely after the breeding season. A large falcon, it preys on birds and bats. Taxonomy and etymology The lanner falcon was described by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1825 under the current binomial name ''Falco biarmicus''. The type locality is Caffraria and the Cape of Good Hope. ''Falco'' is Late Latin for a "falcon", from ''falx'', ''falcis'' "sickle". The Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus had used the specific epithet ''biarmicus'' for the bearded reedling and Temminck clearly believed that the word meant "bearded" but it is likely that Linnaeus was using the Latinized form for Bjarmaland, a district in northern Russia. The English word "lanner" is believed to come from the Old French ''lanier'' meaning "cowardly". The first recorded use of the word in E ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Egyptian Goose
The Egyptian goose (''Alopochen aegyptiaca'') is a member of the duck, goose, and swan family Anatidae. It is native to Africa south of the Sahara and the Nile Valley. Egyptian geese were considered sacred by the Ancient Egyptians, and appeared in much of their artwork. Because of their popularity chiefly as an ornamental bird, escapees are common and feral populations have become established in Western Europe, the United States, and New Zealand. Taxonomy The Egyptian goose is believed to be most closely related to the shelducks (genus ''Tadorna'') and their relatives, and is placed with them in the subfamily Tadorninae. It is the only extant member of the genus ''Alopochen'', which also contains closely related prehistoric and recently extinct species. mtDNA cytochrome ''b'' sequence data suggest that the relationships of ''Alopochen'' to ''Tadorna'' need further investigation. Etymology The generic name ''Alopochen'' (literally, ''fox-goose'') is based on Greek ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pied Kingfisher
The pied kingfisher (''Ceryle rudis'') is a species of water kingfisher widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, it has five recognised subspecies. Its black and white plumage and crest, as well as its habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish, make it distinctive. Males have a double band across the breast, while females have a single gorget that is often broken in the middle. They are usually found in pairs or small family groups. When perched, they often bob their head and flick up their tail. Taxonomy and evolution The pied kingfisher was one of the many bird species originally described by Linnaeus in the landmark 1758 10th edition of his ''Systema Naturae'', who noted that it lived in Persia and Egypt. He named it ''Alcedo rudis''. The German naturalist Friedrich Boie erected the genus ''Ceryle'' in 1828. The name is from classical Greek ''kērulos'', an unidentified and probably mythical bird menti ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
