🇱🇸 Lesotho
Kingdom of Lesotho
Basic Information
Capital
Maseru
Region
Africa
/
Southern Africa
Population
2,300,000
Area
30,355 km²
Currencies
Lesotho loti (L), South African rand (R)
Languages
English, Sotho
About country
Lesotho is a landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa, making it one of only three sovereign enclaves globally. The nation is situated within the Maloti Mountains, boasting the highest peak in Southern Africa. Historically, Lesotho was formed in 1824 by King Moshoeshoe I, who skillfully navigated conflicts with Dutch settlers and eventually secured British protection in 1868. It gained independence in 1966, experiencing periods of military rule before restoring its constitutional government in 1993. The economy of Lesotho is heavily reliant on agriculture, remittances, and South Africa, facing challenges related to poverty and HIV/AIDS.
Political Information
System of Government
Constitutional Monarchy
Independent
Yes
UN Member
Yes
Codes & Identifiers
ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2
LSISO 3166-1 Alpha-3
LSOFlag Emoji
🇱🇸
Neighboring Countries
Additional Flags & Symbols
Historical