Country Profile: Lesotho

Last reviewed: 6 May 2008

Country information

Map of The Kingdom of Lesotho

Area: 30,355 sq km
Population: 2,128,180 (July 2007 est.)
Capital city: Maseru
People: Basotho
Languages: Sesotho, English
Religion(s): Christianity and indigenous beliefs
Currency: Loti (plural: Maloti)
Major political parties: Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Lesotho People’s Congress (LPC), Basotho Congress Party (BCP), Basotho National Party (BNP), Basotho African Congress (BAC), All Basotho Convention (ABC), Basotho Democratic National Party (BNDP).
Head of State: King Letsie III (constitutional monarch)
Prime Minister: Rt Hon Pakalitha Mosisili MP
Membership of international groupings/organisations: African Union (AU), Commonwealth, Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Southern African Development Community (SADC).