World Region Information --- Lesotho Information
We are researching local information on Lesotho. The Kingdom of Lesotho is a country within the borders of South Africa. We will feature information that seems to be good to know when advancing to Lesotho.
Along with Vatican City and San Marino, it is one of the countries completely surrounded by the territory of another country.
Approx. 17,000 km2
about 2.11 million people
99.7% Basotho, 0.3% other
Sotho, English
92.3% Christianity, 6.4% traditional beliefs, 1.0% other
Traditional culture such as music, lifestyle, housing, and clothing remains.
- Katse Dam
- Afriski Mountain Resort
- Maletsunyane Falls
- Maluti Mountains
- Ha Kome Cave Dwellings
- Mohale Dam
The literacy rate over the age of 15 is 85% for women and 68% for men. The lower literacy rate among men than among women is likely due to the presence of out-of-school male children working as livestock herders.
- National University of Lesotho
1868 become a British protectorate
1871 annexed to the Cape Colony
1884 Britain restores the Basuland Protectorate after frequent revolts against Cape colonial rule
1939-45 World War II. 20,000 Sotho fight for the British army
1966 Independence as Kingdom of Lesotho
1970 The opposition Basotland Congress Party takes the lead, but Prime Minister Jonathan suspends the constitution and puts the King into temporary exile. After returning home, the king announced his non-political involvement
1986 South Africa closes its borders and demands the expulsion of anti-apartheid activists. Commander of the Recana national army seizes power in a coup d'etat
1990 Moshoeshoe II defected to England. His son is sworn in as Letsie III
1991 Exiled from Lecana in a coup d'etat. Colonel Ramaemah seizes power
1993 House of Commons elections bring the Bassotran Congress party to power
1994 Letsie III dissolves all ministers and parliament, suspending the constitution. The public rebelled, and general strikes and protest demonstrations occurred
1995 Letsie III abdicates. Moshoeshoe II returns to the throne
1996 Moshoeshoe II dies in a car accident. Letsie III is reinstated as king
1998 The Lesotho Democratic Congress wins the general election and Pakalita Mosiri becomes prime minister. riots by opposition parties. South African Development Community (SADC) sends troops to restore order
2004 A state of emergency was declared due to food shortages caused by three years of drought. Lesotho high ground water project to supply high ground water to South Africa begins
2007 State of emergency declared due to worst drought in 30 years
2012 Thomas Thabane becomes prime minister
2014 military action by the Armed Forces. Prime Minister Thabane flees to South Africa
2015 elections Pakalita Moshiri becomes prime minister of coalition government
2017 Prime Minister Moshiri loses the election and Thabane returns to power. A Lesotho Defense Force commander is shot dead. A multinational security force is deployedã‚‹
It is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The king plays a predominantly ceremonial role. The prime minister is the head of government. The parliament is bicameral.
- Parliament of Lesotho
- High Court of Lesotho
$1,413
It is economically linked with South Africa. Water and diamonds are the main export items. Agriculture, livestock, manufacturing and mining are the main industries, and it is highly dependent on the economic trends of Southern Africa.
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