Lesotho Map

Introduction   People   History   Culture   Life   Land   Animal   Economy   Language   Politics   Government   Education   Defence   Time   Currency   Communications   Organization   Provinces   Disputes  
Lesotho    Plants and Animal Back to Top

Some 11 % of Lesotho’s land is cultivated. Maize, wheat, sorghum, and fruits and vegetables are the main crops. In 2000 farm animal included about 520,000 cattle, 750,000 sheep, 580,000 goats, and 1.8 million poultry.

Lesotho    Communications Back to Top

Rudimentary system
domestic: consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

Lesotho    Culture Back to Top

The contradictions created by Lesotho's political freedom and economic dependence are reflected in the cultural life of the nation. contempt the nation's increasing urbanization and the growth of modern institutions and bureaucracy, the overall objective of the Sotho is to build the rural homestead and perpetuate orthodox institutions. The people remain loyal to the system of chieftaincy, although this orthodox level of leadership has been discredited by the international community. Institutions such as the initiation schools, which perpetuate orthodox values, are still remarkable but are changing in structure and declining in importance.

Sporting activities are extremely popular, even given the low income level of the nation. Football (soccer) is the most widely played sport in Lesotho, but because many of its best players go to South Africa for economic gain, Lesotho does not excel in international competition. Judo, boxing, and long-distance running are also popular, the first two benefiting from training facilities provided by the police force. Horse racing is an athletic competition valuable to rural social life.

Lesotho    Defence Back to Top

Military branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police (RLMP)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 515,464 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 277,369 (2001 est.)

Lesotho    International Disputes Back to Top

None

Lesotho    Economy Back to Top

The economy of Lesotho is based almost entirely on agriculture, farm animal raising, and the earnings of Basothos employed outside the nation. About two-fifths of the adult male labor force works in South Africa. Gross domestic product, which does not reflect remittances from workers out of the nation, stood at $874 million in 1999, or $420 per person. Tourism, particularly from South Africa, has expanded rapidly. In 1998 the around annual budget included revenues of $392 million with expenditures totaling $442 million.

Lesotho is a poor nation, and its few natural resources are insufficient for even the present population. unexploited uranium deposits found near Teyateyaneng, about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Maseru, could introduce a remarkable boost to Lesotho's economy. Its economy could not be sustained at all without the benefits it derives from South Africa, with which Lesotho forms part of a customs union and shares an integrated communications system. It has also depended heavily on South Africa for employment for much of the working population, although opportunities for Sotho there became far more restrictive in the mid-1990s. About one-third of the male working population is unemployed.

Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho's primary natural resource is water. Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, farm animal, 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.

Lesotho    Education Back to Top

Education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 13, and 97.1 % of school-age children are listed. Christian missions under the direction of the minister of education operate most schools, which are free at the primary level. In 1996 some 374,600 pupils attended 1,249 primary schools, and 68,100 pupils attended secondary and vocational schools. The National University of Lesotho (1966), in Roma, is attended yearly by about 1,400 students and has a teaching staff of more than 200. The Lesotho Agricultural College (1955) is in Maseru. Lesotho has a literacy rate of 91 %.

Lesotho    Government Back to Top

The Lesotho Government is a constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili, is head of government and has administrator authority. The King serves a largely ceremonial function; he no longer possesses any administrator authority and is proscribed from actively participating in political initiatives.

The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) controls a majority in the National Assembly, with the Basotho National Party (BNP), Lesotho Peoples Congress, and the National Independent Party, among the 9 opposition parties described.

The constitution provides for an independent judicial system. The judiciary is made up of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, magistrate's courts, and orthodox courts that exist predominately in rural areas. All but one of the Justices on the Court of Appeal are South African jurists. There is no trial by jury; rather, judges make rulings alone, or, in the case of criminal trials, with two other judges as observers. The constitution also protects basic civil liberties, including freedom of speech, association, and the press; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of religion. For administrative purposes, Lesotho is separated into 10 districts, each headed by a district secretary.

Lesotho    History Back to Top

Lesotho gained freedom on October 4, 1966. In January 1970 the ruling Basotho National Party (BNP) looked set to lose the first post-freedom general elections when Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan annulled the election. He refused to cede power to the Basotho Congress Party (BCP) and imprisoned its leadership. The BNP governed by decree until January 1986 when a military coup forced them out of office. The Military Council that came into power granted administrator powers to King Moshoeshoe II, which was until then a ceremonial monarch. In 1987, the King was forced into exile after a falling out with the army. His son was installed as King Letsie III.

An Interim Political Authority (IPA), charged with reviewing the electoral structure in the nation, was created in December 1998. The IPA devised a proportional electoral system to ensure that there be opposition in the National Assembly. The new system retained the existing 80 elected Assembly seats, but added 40 seats to be filled on a proportional basis. Elections were held under this new system in May 2002 and the LCD won again. For the first time, opposition political parties won remarkable numbers of seats. Nine opposition parties hold all 40 of the proportional seats, with the BNP having the largest share (21). The LCD has 79 of the 80 constituency based seats. Although its elected members participate in the National Assembly, the BNP has launched several legal challenges to the elections; none has been successful.

Lesotho    Introduction Back to Top

Lesotho, formerly Basutoland, small, land-locked monarchy within South Africa. The kingdom of Lesotho is mainly mountainous and has a total area of 30,355 sq km (11,720 sq mi). The capital of Lesotho is Maseru.

Official Name -Kingdom of Lesotho
Capital City-Maseru
Languages- English (official), Sesotho, Zulu, others
Official Currency- Loti
Religions- Christian, orthodox beliefs
Population -2,132,000
Land Area- 30,350 sq km (11,718 sq miles)
Lesotho    Land Back to Top

N/A

Lesotho    Languages Back to Top

About 90 % of the people of Lesotho are Christians, mainly Roman Catholics, Lesotho Evangelicals, and Anglicans. Most of the remainder follow orthodox beliefs. English and Sesotho, a Bantu language, are the nation’s official languages.

Lesotho    Life Back to Top

Village life is controlled by basic agricultural tasks, with heavy responsibilities falling on women. Craftwork is still practiced in the villages and includes pottery and grassweaving and the walls of houses are often elaborately decorated. Herders still play a orthodox instrument called the letsiba, and dances such as the “gum-boot dance” and the lefela demonstrate the determine of migrant labour on orthodox forms of cultural expression.Urban life is a blend of orthodox and Western culture. In Maseru there are shops and markets that offer regional crafts and goods, as there are modern and Western hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs; many of these were either burned or damaged by looting following the general election in 1998. Its location makes it an ideal starting point for those trekking on foot or by pony in the highlands.

Lesotho    organization Back to Top
International organization Member

ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO.

Lesotho    People Back to Top

The population of Lesotho (2001 estimate) is 2,177,062. The overall population density is 72 persons per sq km (186 per sq mi). The population was growing at 1.5 % a year in 2001. While the growth rate was lower than in many African countries, it was still high enough to place a burden on Lesotho’s limited resources. Many people, particularly men, reside outside the nation for a portion of each year working as laborers. Life expectancy at birth was 50 years for women and 48 years for men. The only city of remarkable size in Lesotho is Maseru.

The Sotho speak Sotho, a Bantu language of the Niger-Congo language family; they were originally united by a common loyalty to the royal house of Mshweshwe ,of the Moketeli branch of the Kwena lineage. Internally, divisions among different chiefdoms—and within the royal lineage itself—have had political significance, but externally the sense of Sotho nationhood and cultural unity remains strong. Both Sotho and English are official languages in the nation; Zulu is spoken by a small but remarkable minority of Zulu. In addition, there are a few thousand nationals of Asian or mixed descent. The small European community is controlled by expatriate teachers, issionaries, aid workers, technicians, and development advisers.

Lesotho    Politics Back to Top

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]

Lesotho    Provinces Back to Top

10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka.


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Lesotho    Time Back to Top
Live Time and Date ( Click Here )
Lesotho    Currency and General Information Back to Top
Lesotho Maloti United States Dollars
1.00 LSL 0.0883197 USD
11.3225 LSL 1 USD

Countries Currency Unit USD/Unit Units/USD
DZD Algeria Dinars 0.0129554 77.1877
USD United States Dollars 1.00000 1.00000
ARS Argentina Pesos 0.341293 2.93004
AUD Australia Dollars 0.533413 1.87472
ATS Austria Schillings ** 0.0632609 15.8076
BSD Bahamas Dollars 1.00000 1.00000
BBD Barbados Dollars 0.502513 1.99000
BEF Belgium Francs ** 0.0215788 46.3417
BMD Bermuda Dollars 1.00000 1.00000
BRL Brazil Reals 0.430318 2.32386
GBP United Kingdom Pounds 1.42399 0.702251
BGL Bulgaria Leva 0.447293 2.23567
CAD Canada Dollars 0.627606 1.59336
CLP Chile Pesos 0.00152392 656.202
CNY China Yuan Renminbi 0.120813 8.27726
CYP Cyprus Pounds 1.49883 0.667186
CZK Czech Republic Koruny 0.0281883 35.4758
DKK Denmark Kroner 0.117155 8.53568
XCD East Caribbean Dollars 0.370370 2.70000
EGP Egypt Pounds 0.217271 4.60255
EUR Euro 0.870489 1.14878
FJD Fiji Dollars 0.447227 2.23600
FIM Finland Markkaa ** 0.146406 6.83034
FRF France Francs ** 0.132705 7.53550
DEM Germany Deutsche Marks ** 0.445074 2.24682
XAU Gold Ounces 301.977 0.00331151
GRD Greece Drachmae ** 0.00255463 391.447
HKD Hong Kong Dollars 0.128215 7.79939
HUF Hungary Forint 0.00358416 279.006
ISK Iceland Kronur 0.00999868 100.013
INR India Rupees 0.0205205 48.7319
IDR Indonesia Rupiahs 0.000102055 9,798.61
IEP Ireland Pounds ** 1.10529 0.904738
ILS Israel New Shekels 0.212386 4.70841
ITL Italy Lire ** 0.000449570 2,224.35
JMD Jamaica Dollars 0.0210041 47.6099
JPY Japan Yen 0.00754183 132.594
JOD Jordan Dinars 1.41057 0.708931
LBP Lebanon Pounds 0.000660937 1,513.00
LUF Luxembourg Francs ** 0.0215788 46.3417
MYR Malaysia Ringgits 0.263330 3.79751
MXN Mexico Pesos 0.111007 9.00848
NZD New Zealand Dollars 0.440474 2.27028
NOK Norway Kroner 0.113022 8.84780
NLG Netherlands Guilders ** 0.395011 2.53158
PKR Pakistan Rupees 0.0166945 59.9000
PHP Philippines Pesos 0.0196386 50.9202
XPT Platinum Ounces 510.962 0.00195709
PLN Poland Zlotych 0.243488 4.10699
PTE Portugal Escudos ** 0.00434198 230.310
ROL Romania Lei 0.0000303433 32,956.21
RUR Russia Rubles 0.0321342 31.1195
SAR Saudi Arabia Riyals 0.266668 3.74998
XAG Silver Ounces 4.65692 0.214734
SGD Singapore Dollars 0.542540 1.84318
SKK Slovakia Koruny 0.0208441 47.9751
ZAR South Africa Rand 0.0883340 11.3207
KRW South Korea Won 0.000759354 1,316.91
ESP Spain Pesetas ** 0.00523174 191.141
XDR IMF Special Drawing Rights 1.24862 0.800882
SDD Sudan Dinars 0.00384615 260.000
SEK Sweden Kronor 0.0964189 10.3714
CHF Switzerland Francs 0.593789 1.68410
TWD Taiwan New Dollars 0.0286531 34.9002
THB Thailand Baht 0.0230087 43.4619
TTD Trinidad and Tobago Dollars 0.163399 6.12000
TRL Turkey Liras 0.000000763622 1,309,549.07
VEB Venezuela Bolivares 0.00108696 920.000
ZMK Zambia Kwacha 0.000239866 4,169.00

Lesotho : Geographic coordinates 29 30 S, 28 30 E
Lesotho : Population growth rate 1.49%
Lesotho : Birth rate 31.24 births/1,000 population
Lesotho : Death rate 15.7 deaths/1,000 population
Lesotho : People living with HIV/AIDS 240,000
Lesotho : Independence 4 October 1966
Lesotho : National holiday Independence Day, 4 October
Lesotho : Constitution 2 April 1993
Lesotho : GDP purchasing power parity - $5.1 billion
Lesotho : GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,400
Lesotho : Electricity - consumption 55 million kWh
Lesotho : Exports $175 million manufactures,clothing, footwear, road vehicles, wool and mohair, food and live animals
Lesotho : Imports $700 million food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products
Lesotho : Telephones 20,000
Lesotho : Mobile cellular 1,262
Lesotho : Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1
Lesotho : Radios 104,000
Lesotho : Television broadcast stations 1
Lesotho : Televisions 54,000
Lesotho : Internet country code .ls
Lesotho : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1
Lesotho : Internet users 1,000
Lesotho : Railways 2.6 km
Lesotho : Highways 4,955 km
Lesotho : Waterways N/A
Lesotho : Pipelines N/A
Lesotho : Ports and harbors N/A
Lesotho : Merchant marine N/A
Lesotho : Airports 29
Lesotho : Heliports N/A
Lesotho : Military branches Lesotho Defense Force , Army and Air Wing
Lesotho : Military expenditures $34 million