Geography

Lesotho
Photo: Claire Spottiswoode

The Kingdom of Lesotho is located in southern Africa and is totally enclosed by the country of South Africa with a border of about 900 km. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa with an approximate area of 30,000 km2 all in excess of 1000 m above sea level with the highest peaks reaching 3000 m in the central and eastern parts of the country. The western areas are dominated by grasslands giving way to mountainous terrain in the east where it forms part of the Drakensberg escarpment.

Weather conditions are altitude-dependent however, winters are typically cold with snow commonly falling in the higher lying areas. Summer can produce warm weather in the lowlands, and snow is not unknown on the high lying peaks. Lesotho receives most of its rain between October and April.

The population is under 2 million and languages are Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa. For further information see CIA Factbook.