Lesotho
Africa · Southern Africa
Overview
Lesotho lies within the interior of Southern Africa, entirely surrounded by South Africa, a geographic arrangement shared with only two other sovereign states in the world, San Marino and Vatican City, both also completely enclosed by another country. Almost the entire territory of Lesotho sits above 1,000 meters in elevation, making it the country with the highest lowest point in the world, which has earned it the nickname "the Kingdom in the Sky." The country was administered as a British protectorate under the name Basutoland, gaining independence in 1966, and operates as a constitutional monarchy. The official languages are Sesotho and English, and the majority of the population is Christian.
Maseru, the capital, lies on the Caledon River, directly along the South African border, and as a relatively small and quiet capital serves as the country's commercial center. Thaba Bosiu, a mountain plateau turned into a fortress by Moshoeshoe I, the founding king of Lesotho, is a symbolic site of Basotho national identity. The Maloti-Drakensberg highlands, shared with South Africa, with rock art preserving thousands of years of San artistic tradition, have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013. The Katse Dam, built as part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, is one of the largest dams in Africa, supplying water to neighboring South Africa and serving as one of the country's main sources of revenue.
The Sani Pass, connecting Lesotho with South Africa, is one of the most dramatic mountain routes in the region, its switchbacks navigable by 4x4 vehicle or on foot, with the highest pub in Africa located at its summit. Lesotho's mountainous landscape offers excellent terrain for horseback trekking, a distinctive element of local culture built around the traditional use of the Basotho pony. Sehlabathebe National Park, part of the Maloti-Drakensberg range, offers little-explored hiking trails and unique sandstone formations. Local cuisine is built around corn, with papa, a cornmeal porridge, as a signature dish, served with vegetables and meat, often enjoyed while wrapped in a traditional Basotho blanket, worn as protection against the region's cold mountain climate.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Maloti-Drakensberg Park
The Maloti-Drakensberg Park is a transnational property composed of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park in South Africa and the Sehlathebe National Park in Lesotho. The site has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandstone ramparts as well as visually spectacular sculptured arches, caves, cliffs, pillars and rock pools. The site's diversity of habitats protects a high level of endemic and globally important plants. The site harbors endangered species such as the Cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres) and the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). Lesotho’s Sehlabathebe National Park also harbors the Maloti minnow (Pseudobarbus quathlambae), a critically endangered fish species only found in this park. This spectacular natural site contains many caves and rock-shelters with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the Sahara. They represent the spiritual life of the San people, who lived in this area over a period of 4,000 years.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Lesotho?
The capital of Lesotho is Maseru.
What is the area of Lesotho?
The area of Lesotho is 30,355 km².
What is the population of Lesotho?
The population of Lesotho is 2,337,423.
What is the currency of Lesotho?
The currency of Lesotho is Lesotho loti (LSL), South African rand (ZAR).
What is the official language of Lesotho?
The official language of Lesotho: English, Sotho.
What side of the road does Lesotho drive on?
Lesotho: Left-hand traffic.
Is Lesotho a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Lesotho is a member of the United Nations.