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Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence
from the UK in 1966. Constitutional government was restored in 1993
after 23 years of military rule.
Area: 30,355 sq km
Population: 2,177,062
Ethnic groups: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and
other 0.3%
Religions: Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%
Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official),
Zulu, Xhosa
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 83%
male: 72%
female: 93% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 23.57% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 240,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 16,000 (1999 est.)
Capital: Maseru
Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe,
Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek,
Quthing, Thaba-Tseka.
Political parties and leaders: Basotho Congress Party or
BCP [Tseliso MAKHAKHE]; Basotho National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen.
Justine Metsing LEKHANYA]; Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD
[Phebe MOTEBANO, chairwoman; Dr. Pakalitha MOSISILI, leader] - the
governing party; United Democratic Party or UDP [Charles MOFELI];
Marematlou Freedom Party or MFP and Setlamo Alliance [Vincent MALEBO];
Progressive National Party or PNP [Chief Peete Nkoebe PEETE]; Sefate
Democratic Party or SDP [Bofihla NKUEBE].
Economy - overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho's
primary natural resource is water. Its economy is based on subsistence
agriculture, livestock, and remittances from miners employed in
South Africa. The number of such mineworkers has declined steadily
over the past several years. A small manufacturing base depends
largely on farm products that support the milling, canning, leather,
and jute industries. Agricultural products are exported primarily
to South Africa. Proceeds from membership in a common customs union
with South Africa form the majority of government revenue. Although
drought has decreased agricultural activity over the past few years,
completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits
the sale of water to South Africa, generating royalties for Lesotho.
The pace of substantial privatization has increased in recent years.
In December 1999, the government embarked on a nine-month IMF staff-monitored
program aimed at structural adjustment and stabilization of macroeconomic
fundamentals. The government is in the process of applying for a
three-year successor program with the IMF under its Poverty Reduction
and Growth Facility.
Population below poverty line: 49.2% (1999 est.)
Currency: loti, South African rand
Information taken from the CIA
world factbook.
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Cambridge or ex-Cambridge students that
have spent time in Lesotho (click here
to add yourself):
Name: Chloe Hamborg
Email: csh35@cam.ac.uk
College: Girton
Where were you? St. Catherine's High School, Maseru, Lesotho
What did you do? I was teaching English communication and
computing through GAP for 5 months before travelling for a month
from Cape Town to Vic Falls. Definitely don't have room here to
describe what an amazing time I had but I really really really recommend
Lesotho to anyone travelling through Southern Africa as it's absolutely
beautiful (nicknamed 'the mountain kingdom') and the people are
so friendly, fun and welcoming. Please get in touch if you want
to know more!
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