Lesotho
The Country of the Week
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Maseru
- Population
- 2,222,962 (2025 est.)
- Area
- 30,355 sq km
- Government
- parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- Languages
- Sesotho (official), English (official), Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu
- Religions
- Protestant 47.8% (Pentecostal 23.1%, Lesotho Evangelical 17.3%, Anglican 7.4%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, other Christian 9.1%, non-Christian 1.4%, none 2.3% (2014 est.)
- Ethnic Groups
- Sotho 99.7%, other 0.3% (includes Kwena, Nguni (Hlubi and Phuthi), Zulu)
- Currency
- maloti (LSL)
- Life Expectancy
- 60.2 years (2024 est.)
- Internet Domain
- .ls
- Climate
- temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
- Terrain
- mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains
- Natural Resources
- water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone
- Major Exports
- diamonds, garments, wool, power equipment, bedding (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain)
Overview
Paramount chief MOSHOESHOE I consolidated what would become Basutoland in the early 19th century and made himself king in 1822.