Lesotho land and people are an inherent part of this South African country. Lesotho is a landlocked country that covers an area of 30,355 sq km. It lies between 28º and 31º South latitude and 27º and 30º East longitude. The land of Lesotho is mostly mountaineous with plateau areas. Thabana Ntlenyana is the highest point of the country, while the junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers are the lowest points of Lesotho. The summers are hot and rainy and the winters are cold. The temperature varies with variation in altitude.
About 10.87% of the total land in Lesotho is tillable. The soil is predominantly basaltic in the mountain areas. The major crops grown in the country are wheat, sorghum, corn and pulses. The industrial products mainly consists of textiles, beverages, handicrafts and food.
Lesotho is sometimes referred to as the 'Kingdom in the Sky'. Some important facts on
Lesotho land and people are given below:
- Malibamatso, Dinakeng, Senqunyane, Caledon, Marsoku and Kometspruit are some of the rivers flowing through Lesotho.
- The well-known mountain ranges of Lesotho are Drakensburg Range, Maluti Range, Thaba Putsoa Range and Central Range.
- The people of Lesotho are known as Basotho.
- The population of Lesotho is 2,125,262. The rate of population growth is 0.144%.
- The ethnic groups consists of Sotho, Asians, Europeans and others.
- Christinality is followed by about 80% of the population.
- English is the official language of the people. Besides, people also speak in Xhosa, Zulu and Sesotho.
- The type of government in Lesotho is parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
- The constitution was formed on 2nd April, 1993.
- Lesotho got its independence from United Kingdom on 4th October, 1966. Hence, this day is celebrated as the independence day.
- A person is entitled to vote after the completion of 18 years of age.
- The flag of Lesotho has got three horizontal stipes with blue at the top followed by white and green. The white stripe consists of a black Basotho hat.
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Lesotho Land and People, click on the following links:
