An Overview of Lesotho Profile

[BBC]

The Kingdom of Lesotho is made up mostly of highlands where many of the villages can be reached only on horseback, by foot or light aircraft.

•   Full name: The Kingdom of Lesotho
•   Population: 2 million (UN, 2010)
•   Capital: Maseru
•   Area: 30,355 sq km (11,720 sq miles)
•   Major languages: Sesotho, English
•   Major religion: Christianity
•   Life expectancy: 47 years (men), 47 years (women) (UN)
•   Monetary unit: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente
•   Main exports: Water, diamonds, clothing, wool, mohair, food, livestock
•   GNI per capita: US $1,030 (World Bank, 2009)
•   Internet domain: .ls
•   International dialling code: +266

During the winter shepherds wearing only boots and wrap-around blankets have to contend with snow.

While much of the tiny country, with spectacular canyons and thatched huts, remains untouched by modern machines, developers have laid down roads to reach its mineral and water resources.

BBC

[afroboy]

Key facts, figures and dates

Attribution: CNN, BBC and IOL Africa.