Country Guide • Lesotho
Lesotho is landlocked and completely surrounded by South Africa. It is very mountainous with more than 80% of the country 1,800 meters above sea level.
| Official Name | Kingdom of Lesotho |
|---|---|
| Area | 30,355km² (11,720mile²) |
| Population | 1,900,000 |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population per mile² | 162 |
| Capital City | Maseru |
| Religions | 43% Roman Catholic, 30% Protestant, 11.5% Anglican, 8% other Christian denominations. The remainder follow local native tribal beliefs |
| Language | South Sotho and English |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Currency | Loti |
| GDP | $5.6 billion |
| GDP per Head | $2,700 |
| Natural Resources | Water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other minerals |
| Land Use | Arable Land 10.75% |
| Agriculture | Barley, corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum and some livestock |
| Industry | Food processing, beverages, textiles, handicrafts, construction, tourism carpets, pharmaceuticals and tractor assembly |
| Tourism | Most travellers come to Lesotho as an add on following time spent in South Africa. Lesotho is a struggling Third World nation, it has built for itself a reputation for dependable tourism. Public transport and organised tours and treks are quite reliable, and the locals are always willing to help. It has approx. 300 different exquisite bird species |
| Natural Hazards | Periodic droughts, storms, lightning strikes and freezing overnight temperatures |
| Health Risks | HIV/AIDS. It is advisable to take precautions regarding Malaria, although not prevelant here many neighbouring countries are |
| Climate | Lesotho has a continental climate which is characterised by extremes in temperatures. Snow is frequent in the Eastern Highland while the lowlands can also experience occasional snow in winter. The summer season is from October to April with rainfall at its heaviest during January. Average annual rainfall is 29 inches and thunderstorms are common during the wet season. Average temperature ranges in Maseru are from -3 to 17°C in July to 15 to 33°C in January |
| Time | GMT/UTC+2 hours |
| National Days | October 4 |
| Visas | Citizens of most Western countries, Japan, Israel, the USA and most Commonwealth countries are granted an entry permit (free) at the border. The standard stay permitted is two weeks this can often be extended but overstaying without the proper authority is a serious matter. You may be held in detention. So ensure if staying longer you get the necessary permit |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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