The Kingdom of Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy entirely surrounded by South Africa. It covers about 30,000 square kilometres, roughly 80% the size of Japan's Kyushu island. Being small, it can be crossed from one end to the other by car in about six hours. The population is around 2.2 million.

The entire country is mountainous, with elevations above 1,400 metres, which is why it is often called the "Kingdom in the Sky." It's also said that "Lesotho isn't a country with mountains in it — Lesotho is in the mountains." Almost the entire population (99.7%) belongs to the Basotho ethnic group, making it a remarkably homogeneous nation; the country's name itself means "the land of the Sotho-speaking people." The official languages are Sesotho and English.



The main industries are textiles and garment manufacturing, along with livestock-based agriculture. However, because the entire country is mountainous, arable land is scarce, and the country lacks significant natural resources, leading to its classification as one of the Least Developed Countries.

The capital is Maseru, located in the northwestern corner of the country, bordering South Africa to the north. Its population is around 330,000, and including the surrounding metropolitan area it approaches 400,000, making it by far the largest city in Lesotho — and, since there are no other major cities, effectively its only city.


Maseru's main commercial street, "Kings Way"

To reach Lesotho, travelers can cross by road at one of 11 border posts with South Africa, or fly into Moshoeshoe I International Airport near Maseru. The only air route is the roughly one-hour flight to and from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.


A border post near Maseru