Lesotho Guide
Lesotho – country information
| Country name | Lesotho |
| Official name | Kingdom of Lesotho |
| Capital | Masseur |
| Continent | Africa |
| Area | 30,355 km2 |
| Population | 2,074,000 (2013) |
| Foundation of a state | 4/10/1966 |
| The highest mountains | Thabana Ntlenyana 3482 m |
| Longest rivers | Orange (250 km in the country) |
| State system | monarchy with military rule |
| The biggest cities | Maseru (capital) 170,000 |
| Official language | Sotho, English |
| Ethnicity/National Composition | Soths 99.7%, others 0.3% |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic 44%, Protestant 42%, Other Christian 8%, Traditional African Faith 6% |
| Currency | 1 loti (pl. maloti, M) = 100 lisente |
| gross domestic product (GDP) | US$2,126 (2012) |
| Average life expectancy of the population | 34.40 years (2006) |
Lesotho – Neighboring States
| State | Capital | Area | Population |
| South Africa – JAR | Pretoria | 1,221,040 km2 | 52,981,991 |
Country overview
Lesotho, formerly Basuto, is a small kingdom in the southernmost part of Africa, completely surrounded by the territory of the Republic of South Africa.
Lesotho or the Kingdom of Lesotho (Kingdom of Lesotho) is an enclave state in South Africa, completely surrounded by the territory of the Republic of South Africa.
According to Abbreviationfinder, Lesotho is the only country in the world whose entire territory is located above 1400 m above sea level. Due to its high altitude, the country is often referred to as the kingdom in the sky. The capital is Maseru.
Independence from Great Britain – October 4, 1966.
The official languages are Sesotho and English. The form of government is a constitutional monarchy.
Resorts and attractions of Lesotho
Lesotho is located in South Africa. Its territory is completely surrounded by the territory of South Africa. Lesotho, along with the Vatican and San Marino, is one of three independent states in the world, surrounded by the territory of only one country. The country has no access to the sea.
The climate is due to the high altitude position, so Lesotho is under the influence of the subtropical high pressure zone, anticyclones predominate. The climate of Lesotho is relatively cold. In summer, in January-February in Maseru, the temperature reaches +30*C, winters are frosty, and temperatures vary from -7*C in the plains to -18*C in the mountains. The main amount of precipitation falls during the warm period of the year from October to April. The least amount of precipitation occurs in winter in June.
Trees are rare in Lesotho, and herbaceous vegetation is the most common. 33 species of mammals have been recorded in the country, including baboon, eland, meerkat, mongoose, endemic ice rat.
Interesting Facts
The early population of Lesotho consisted of gatherers and hunters who spoke the Khoisan languages. The Bantu tribes who came from the north in the 17th century pushed the indigenous population into the Kalahari Desert.
From August 11, 1871 to March 18, 1884, Lesotho was annexed to the British Cape Colony. March 18, 1884 Basutoland again received the status of a protectorate.
April 30, 1965 Basutoland received autonomy, and October 4, 1966 – independence under the name of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Lesotho has been a member of the United Nations since October 17, 1966.
Despite being landlocked, the country has signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
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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.
