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Lesotho
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Lesotho: Facts & Stats

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Facts

Also Known As Kingdom of Lesotho • Basutoland
Head Of Government Prime Minister: Sam Matekane
Capital Maseru
Population (2025 est.) 2,135,000
Head Of State King: Letsie III
Form Of Government constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses (Senate [33 nonelected seats]; National Assembly [120])
Official Languages Sotho; English
Official Religion Christianity
Official Name ‘Muso oa Lesotho (Sotho); Kingdom of Lesotho (English)
Total Area (Sq Km) 30,355
Total Area (Sq Mi) 11,720
Monetary Unit loti (plural maloti [M])
Population Rank (2023) 149
Population Projection 2030 2,180,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2025) 182.2
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2025) 70.3
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 30.9% • Rural: (2024) 69.1%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2022) 59.1 years • Female: (2022) 66.7 years
Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate Male: (2021) 73% • Female: (2021) 89%
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2023) 2,700
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2023) 1,160

Photos

Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho: traditional housing
Lesotho
Physical features of Lesotho
Lesotho: plateau
Maloti Mountains
rock hyrax
reedbuck
Lesotho: housing
See All Images and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Moshoeshoe
African chief
Moshoeshoe II
king of Lesotho

Related Places

A map of the continent of Africa, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities. It also shows parts of Europe and Asia and surrounding bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.
Africa
continent
Namib desert
Southern Africa
region, Africa
Teyateyaneng
Lesotho
Maseru, Lesotho
Maseru
national capital, Lesotho
Mohale’s Hoek
Lesotho
Quthing
Lesotho
Maloti Mountains
Maloti Mountains
mountains, Lesotho
Thaba Bosiu
plateau, Lesotho
Thabana Ntlenyana, Lesotho
Thabana Ntlenyana
mountain, Lesotho
Maletsunyane Falls
Maletsunyane Falls
waterfall, Lesotho
South Africa
South Africa
Physical features of Southern Africa
Orange River
river, Africa
Drakensberg mountains
Drakensberg
mountain range, Africa
Great Escarpment
Great Escarpment
mountains, Africa
Mont-aux-Sources
mountain, South Africa-Lesotho

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