Lesotho is located in Southern Africa, and its capital is Maseru. It has a population of approximately 2,337,423 and covers an area of about 30,360 km². Its official currency is the Lesotho loti (LSL).
What stands out
People & place
77 /km² across 30,360 km²
Lesotho has a recorded population of 2,337,423 and a reported surface area of 30,360 km².
Economic snapshot
$2.27 billion nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $2.27 billion and GDP per capita at $972 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Lesotho (pronounced 'luh-ZOH-thee') is an enclaved sovereign state fully surrounded by South Africa, located in Southern Africa. It is a landlocked kingdom with a highly mountainous terrain, making it the only country in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation.
Covering 30,355 square kilometres, Lesotho is characterized by rugged mountains, deep valleys, and the famous Drakensberg range. The capital, Maseru, sits at the western edge along the Caledon River. The country experiences a temperate climate with cool winters and warm, dry summers.
Lesotho’s culture is heavily influenced by its Himba and Sotho traditions. Traditional attire includes the iconic blanket cloth worn by women, and the king’s robe is a symbol of heritage. Music and dance, notably the ‘Mokgoli’ dance, reflect communal storytelling and celebration.
First settled by San-speaking hunter-gatherers around 12,000 years ago, Lesotho emerged as a unified nation in 1820 under the leadership of King Moshoeshoe I. It gained independence from Britain on 4 March 1966, becoming a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.
Key facts
Population: ~2.5 million people (2023 estimate).
Official languages: Sesotho and English.
Highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana at 3,482 metres.
Relatively high per capita GDP for a low-income country, driven by mining and remittances.
Lesotho drives a unique relationship with its neighbor, hosting one of the world's largest diamond mining operations.
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Lesotho has a recorded population of approximately 2,337,423 people.
How big is Lesotho?
Lesotho covers an area of about 30,360 km².
What is the population density of Lesotho?
Lesotho has a population density of roughly 77 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Lesotho?
Lesotho has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $2.27 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Lesotho?
Lesotho has a GDP per capita of approximately $972.
What currency is used in Lesotho?
Lesotho uses the Lesotho loti (LSL), with the symbol L.
Where is Lesotho located?
Lesotho is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
What are people from Lesotho called?
People from Lesotho are referred to as Basotho.
What is the phone calling code for Lesotho?
The international dialing code for Lesotho is +266.
What is the internet domain for Lesotho?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Lesotho is .ls.
What time zone is Lesotho in?
Lesotho uses the Africa/Maseru time zone.
What is Lesotho known for?
Lesotho (pronounced 'luh-ZOH-thee') is an enclaved sovereign state fully surrounded by South Africa, located in Southern Africa. It is a landlocked kingdom with a highly mountainous terrain, making it the only country in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation.
Southern Africa