Lesotho
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| National motto: Khotso, Pula, Nala (Peace, Rain, Prosperity) | |||||
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| Official language | Sesotho,English | ||||
| Capital | Maseru | ||||
| (optionally) Capital's coordinates | 29° 18' S, 27° 28' E | ||||
| Largest City | Maseru | ||||
| Monarch | Letsie III | ||||
| Prime Minister | Pakalitha Mosisili | ||||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 137th 30,355 km² Negligible | ||||
| Population
- Density | Ranked 143rd
70.6/km² | ||||
| GDP (PPP)
- GDP/head | Ranked 147th
$2,700 | ||||
| Currency | Loti (L) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC +2 | ||||
| Independence | 4 October 1966 | ||||
| National anthem | Lesotho Fatse La Bontat'a Rona | ||||
| Internet TLD | .LS | ||||
| Calling Code | 266 | ||||
Lesotho is a a country in southern Africa. It is entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa.
History
Main article: History of Lesotho
Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the United Kingdom on October 4 1966. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 23 years of authoritanism, which include seven years of military rule.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Lesotho
Districts
Main Article: Districts of Lesotho
Lesotho is divided into 10 districts: Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, and Thaba-Tseka.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Lesotho
Economy
Main article: Economy of Lesotho
Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho's only important natural resource is water. Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, livestock, and remittances from miners employed in South Africa. The number of such mine workers has declined steadily over the past several years. In 1996 their remittances added about 33% to GDP compared with the addition of roughly 67% in 1990. A small manufacturing base depends largely on farm products which support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries. Agricultural products are exported primarily to South Africa. Proceeds from membership in a common customs union with South Africa form the majority of government revenue. Although drought has decreased agricultural activity over the past few years, completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to South Africa, generating royalties that will be an important source of income for Lesotho. The pace of parastatal privatization has increased in recent years. Civil disorder in September 1998 destroyed 80% of the commercial infrastructure in Maseru and two other major towns. Most firms were not covered by insurance, and the rebuilding of small and medium business has been a significant challenge in terms of both economic growth and employment levels. Output dropped 10% in 1998 and recovered slowly in 1999.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Lesotho
Culture
Main article: Culture of Lesotho