Country data

Location: South Africa

Time zone: CET – 1 (during summer time: CET)

Total area: 30,355 km²

Land area: 30,355 km²

Water area: 0 km²

Length of the state border: 909 km

including: South Africa: 909 km

Coastline: 0 km

Capital: Maseru

Districts: 10
Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha’s Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka

Telephone code: 00 266 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m

Population

Population: approx. 2 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 0.3% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 66

Life expectancy: 53 (male), 53 (female)

Official language: Sesotho, English

Religions:

• 80% Christian
• 20% other

Climate

In Lesotho the seasons are opposite to the European ones.

The temperatures fluctuate between -10 ° C in winter (June / July) (lots of snowfall) and up to 42 ° C in summer (December / January).

The amount of precipitation in the period from late October to mid-April is slightly higher than in the remaining months.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Loti (LSL)

Classification: 1 Loti (plural Maloti) = 100 Lisente

ATMs: not available

International credit cards: These are accepted by some car rental companies and larger hotels and shops in the capital. Otherwise, however, cash payment is more the rule.

Regulations: The import and export of national and foreign currencies is not restricted.

However, you should exchange any remaining Maloti in Lesotho, as this currency is often not exchangeable outside the country.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
• small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

Travel advice

Although the country has stabilized politically in recent years, the crime rate (car robbery, theft, assault, robberies) has risen sharply, especially against foreigners. As a result, there is a constant risk of violence throughout the Kingdom of Lesotho.

We recommend:

• to lock the car even while driving
• Never wear / show money or jewelry openly
• never leave the house alone
• do not go for a walk after dark

Behavioral advice

Photography and filming of police / army stations, uniformed persons, government buildings, airports and banks is not permitted.

You should also ask for permission beforehand when taking pictures.

Economy

Since most of the areas in Lesotho are not suitable for agricultural cultivation, mainly sheep and goats are kept in the higher plains.

In the regions suitable for cultivation, maize and millet are mainly grown for personal use.

Tourism is a growing source of income in the country.

Industries: food production, textiles, tourism

Natural resources: diamonds, farmland

Land use:

• Usable land: 11%
• Grain cultivation: 0%
• Pasture area: 66%
• Forests: 0%
• other: 23%

Plants

Between the rocky mountains there are many plains with wide grassland and individual bushes. There are only isolated forests in protected depressions.

State reforestation is carried out with pines, poplars and other tree species.

Animals

The formerly very species-rich animal world of Lesotho, which was severely destroyed by extinction, is home to antelopes, hares and various small animals, as well as several species of birds.