FACTS ABOUT LESOTHO

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT LESOTHO

1.                 The official name of Lesotho is the “Republic of Lesotho”.

2.                 Maseru is the capital city of Lesotho.

3.                 The total population of Lesotho is 1,958,042.

4.                 The Lesotho loti (LSL) is the official currency of Lesotho.

5.                 Sotho and English are the official languages of the country.

6.                 The name of “Lesotho” roughly means the land of the people who speak Sesotho.

7.                 As of today, more than 40% of the population of the country is below the poverty line.

8.                 Lesotho is a high-altitude country, situated at an elevation of 2161 m above sea level. It is also famously known as “The Kingdom in the Sky.”

9.                 “Thabana Ntlenyana” at 3,482 m is the highest point in the country.

10.            Lesotho is the only country in the world entirely above 1,000 m.

11.            In area, Lesotho is slightly smaller than Maryland, U.S.

12.            Lesotho has a total land boundary of 1,106 km.

13.            The increase in the population of the country is causing desertification, soil erosion, and overgrazing. Due to this, the quality of life in the country is being affected.

14.            Lesotho is a mountainous country with more than 80% of the country 1,800 m above sea level.

15.            Lesotho has one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa.

16.            A large chunk of its population works outside the country which is why foreign remittance plays a significant role in its economy.

17.            Maseru is the capital city of Lesotho. The city is located on the Caledon River. The name of the city means “red sandstones”.

18.            About 75% of the country’s population lives in rural areas, and animal herding and agriculture is their main occupation.

19.            Almost 90% of the goods that are consumed in Lesotho are imported from neighboring South Africa.

20.            Diamond mining is an important part of the country’s GDP and accounts for 9% of it.

21.            Kids in the country play soccer to entertain themselves and listen to music.

22.            Radio is the most popular form of media in the country. The country also receives radio and television stations from neighboring South Africa.

23.            Lesotho sees 300 days of sunshine every year. Rainy season in the country falls between October and April.

24.            Lesotho is pronounced “le-soo-too.”

25.            Lesotho has three rivers: the Caledon River, The Orange River, and the Tugela River. All these rivers originate from the Lesotho Mountains.

26.            Lesotho became a constitutional monarchy in 1933.

27.            Lesotho has less than 2% of forest area. And 10% of the country’s land is arable.

28.            The country is divided into ten districts, each of these districts are named after their principal towns.

29.            Sesotho was one of the first African languages to develop a written form and has an extensive literature.

30.            Beef is the most important meat in Lesotho and the people slaughter cows on special occasions. Sheep and goats are also raised for wool, milk, and meat. Chicken provides fresh eggs that can be used in the breakfast.

31.            Funerals and weddings are an expensive occasion for a Lesotho family as they have to serve delicious food to the guests and neighbors.

32.            Cow in Lesotho is valued above money.

33.            An automobile is mostly possessed by the wealthy class of the society.

34.            The legal system of the country is based on the English common law and the Roman-Dutch law.

35.            Lesotho is a homogeneous country. More than 98% of the people of the country belong to the Basotho ethnic group.

36.            Lesotho is classified as one of the Least Developed Countries in the world.

37.            In 1868, Lesotho became an official British protectorate.

38.            Because of its natural abundance, water in the country is known as “white gold.”

39.            Lesotho Exports: manufactures (clothing, footwear), wool and mohair, food and live animals, electricity, water and diamonds.

40.            Lesotho Imports: food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines and petroleum products.

41.            The internet country code for Lesotho is .ls.