Kind people, good food, and mountains! Isn’t it the bare minimum we all expect?
Well, if you are also expecting the same, Lesotho 🏔 is your answer!
This country still has a good network of South African export services!
There are many more things to know about this nation…. Let’s just go through the facts!
Interesting Facts about Lesotho
Maseru: The capital city of Lesotho!
On the northwestern edge of the nation…the city is situated along the Caledon River!
The city’s name translates to “red sandstones.” Interesting!!
Lesotho is a nation within a nation that is encircled by South Africa on all sides! (Confusing? Right!!)
It is only 50 minutes away by flight from Johannesburg…which is located about 300 miles to the south.
How about some more facts? Keep reading…
Highest literacy rate in Africa: Lesotho!
Women have a higher rate of literacy than men do! (A great point for all the feminist friends out there!)
Men start working with animals and farming for survival at an early age! (Hard Working, guys!) 📖
It is also one of the three remaining kingdoms in Africa.
[Eswatini (Swaziland) and Morocco make up the other two]
Officially, Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy!
As a result, it is also known as “The Mountain Kingdom,” “The Roof of Africa,” and “The Kingdom in the Sky.”
Letsie III is the current king of Lesotho!
Yes, this country still has a King!
Not a fairytale! 👑
He has been in power since 1996….though he did occupy the kingdom briefly from 1990 to 1995 while his father was in exile.
Lesotho: One of many land-locked African countries!
Lesotho is not the only country that is far from the ocean.
Yes! It lacks an ocean view…. But this country is still worth it!
More landlocked nations than any other continent…including 16 of the No Coast Gang’s 45 members are found in Africa! 🛤
Lesotho is one of the most ethnically homogeneous nations in the world…with more than 98% of the population being Basotho!
One of the World’s smallest roadways: Lesotho’s road network!
Lesotho has only 3,700 miles of roadways!
Well, it is not unexpected considering how mountainous the nation is!
[Don’t worry…the mountains will make up for the Sea-sickness]
Nevertheless, it has grown significantly over the past 50 years! 🛣
Farmers can be seen wearing the famous humorous woven hat, which has a characteristic knot at the top, all over the rural countryside.
The Katse Dam: The second-largest double-curvature arch dam in Africa!
The project cost $8 billion!
And the dam…which is 185 meters high and 710 meters long…was finished in 1996! On January 22nd, 1998, water delivery from the Katse Dam officially started. 🌁
Pap (or Pap-pap) is the daily staple food of the people of Lesotho!
No, it is not a musical rhythm!
Muesli or another type of grain or cereal cooked in water or milk is used to make the dish.
A rich sauce composed of carrots, peas, and other chopped greens is served with the oatmeal. 🥣
Have you ever tasted it? If not, it is a must-try!
The Basotho Blanket: The traditional dress of Lesotho!
A cool country with a warm dress!
Jokes apart!
The blanket shields the user from freezing temperatures during the bitterly cold winters!
It is almost entirely made of wool! 👕
These blankets have vibrant patterns and serve as both a status symbol and a representation of their culture.
Maletsunyane Falls: A 192-meter-high waterfall in Lesotho!
Without the breathtaking vistas at Maletsunyane Falls, the knowledge of Lesotho would be incomplete!
Near the waterfalls is the longest abseil in the world!
And, and, and… completing it earns you a Guinness World Record-approved certificate! 💧
REALLY!!
Beef is an occasional food of Lesotho!
The most significant meat in the nation is beef…. though cows are only killed on exceptional occasions!
Sheep and goats are also bred for their wool or milk, and meat.
Fresh eggs from chickens are frequently consumed for breakfast.🥚
A morning in a Lesotho household will generally start with a protein-rich breakfast…where the egg is a MUST.
The water here is known as “white gold”!
We all know water is more than important to us!
But, more than us, the people of Lesotho understood!
This is a result of the nation’s naturally abundant supply of pure, clean water! 🙏
For some of its regions, South Africa primarily relies on Lesotho’s water supply… making it a profitable business.
You respect nature…nature will give you returns with high profits!
Basotho: One of the extremely kind people!
Last but not least (not really… the last), the kindness and compassion of the Basotho people rank among Lesotho’s best qualities!
They will wave to you, smile, and greet you anywhere in the nation! 🫂
They will make you feel extremely welcome there.
You will love…how they make you feel valued!
Lesotho was once an official British Protectorate!
Yes!
These kinds of people were once slaves to the crown!
Before gaining its independence from the UK in 1966, Lesotho was known as the British Crown Colony of Basutoland! 💂♀️
This name was given to it in 1868.
On October 4th, 1966, the nation formally proclaimed its independence from British sovereignty….changing its name from Basutoland to the Kingdom of Lesotho!
March 11th is celebrated as “Moshoeshoe Day”!
Well, the day honors Moshoeshoe I…the nation’s founding father!
He passed away on March 11th, 1870!
He was a superb leader and ambassador who became renowned as one of the world’s best diplomats after convincing Queen Victoria to create the nation as a British Protectorate so that it could protect itself from hostile Zulu and Boer forces in the area!
Lesotho became a constitutional monarchy in 1933
The current King Letsie III is head of state in a ceremonial capacity…but he no longer has any executive authority!
He is not even allowed to take part in political initiatives!
It is a result of decades of conflict between Lesotho’s reigning monarchs and the government.
Lesotho: One of the enclave states!
A country that is completely encircled by the territory of another state is known as an enclave! [Just an explanation! Skip if you already know this]
South Africa encircles Lesotho on all sides!
The Vatican City and San Marino are the other two enclaves, and both are totally encircled by Italy!
Home to the highest ski resort in Africa: Afriski!
In Lesotho, skiing is possible!
Afriski, a haven for winter sports is located 3,050 meters above sea level in the Maluti mountains!
If you are a sports lover, this place must be already on your bucket list!
[I have already noted it in mine..]
90% of goods in Lesotho are imported from South Africa!
Yes!
This makes it obvious as the nation is an enclave.
However, most families raise their own wheat, corn, cabbage, pumpkins, peas, and other crops to avoid the expense of importing food from South Africa.
Although it is a free nation…still the boundaries do not allow it to do trade in a proper and smooth manner!
Home to one of the world’s scariest airstrips!
The runway at Maketane airport is regarded as one of the spookiest! Also, the most hazardous in the entire globe!
The runway is only 400 meters (1,300 feet) long and ends up 600 meters (2000 feet) below the edge of a cliff.
Scary…isn’t it?
Summing up
South Africa completely encircles the landlocked nation of Lesotho…which is located between the Drakensberg and Maloti mountain ranges!
It is considered by some to be Africa’s best-kept secret and is roughly the size of Belgium!
It also contains the tallest mountains in Southern Africa, which is completely accurate!
So, if you are up to here, then you must have enjoyed this article. And, if you are here first, GO, and take the pleasure of visiting a country…that too free! (by reading)!!
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my Next startup Cledemy.Com)
