Origin of Name Lesotho was named for the Sotho, the dominant ethnic group.

Location completely encircled by the Republic of South Africa

Area 11,720 sq mi (30,355 km)
Highest Point Thabana Ntlenyana; 11,424 ft (3,482 m)
Lowest Point confluence of Orange and Makhaleng rivers; 4,593 ft (1,400 m)
Natural Resources water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone

Nationality Mosotho
Population (July 2015) 1,947,701
Largest City Maseru
Ethnic Groups Sotho
Religions Christian, indigenous
Languages Sesotho, English (official), Zulu, Xhosa

Capital Maseru
Present Constitution Adopted April 2, 1993
Government Type parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Chief of State King Letsie III (since February 7, 1996)
Head of Government Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili (since March 18, 2015)
Cabinet Cabinet
Legislature bicameral Parliament
Judiciary High Court, Court of Appeal, Magistrate Courts
Local Administration 10 districts

Currency Maloti
Per Capita Income $2,800
Industries food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism
Agricultural Products corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock
Export Commodities clothing, footwear, road vehicles, wool and mohair, food, live animals
Import Commodities food, building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products

Independence from Great Britain Achieved October 4, 1966
National Holiday Independence Day; October 4
Flag three horizontal stripes of blue (rain), white (peace), and green (prosperity), with a black Basotho hat (representing the indigenous people) in the center of the white stripe

SEE ALSO
South Africa

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This page was last updated on May 26, 2017.