Lesotho / Lesoto
Officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave—entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size with an estimated population of almost 1,800,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is the southernmost landlocked country in the world. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name "Lesotho" translates roughly into "the land of the people who speak Sesotho".
History
Please go to
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Lesotho
Geography
Lesotho is a mountainous, landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It is an enclave, completely surrounded by South Africa. The total length of the country's borders is 909 kilometres (565 mi). Lesotho covers an area of around 30,355 square kilometres (11,720 sq mi), of which a negligible percentage is covered with water.
The most notable geographic fact about Lesotho, apart from its status as an enclave, is that it is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) in elevation. Its lowest point is at 1,400 metres (4,593 ft), the highest lowest point of any country. Because of its elevation, the country's climate is cooler than in most other regions at the same latitude. Its climate zone can be classified as continental.
Lesotho is a country in Southern Africa, located at around 29°30' south latitude and 28°30' east longitude. It is the 141st largest country in the world, with a total land area of 30,355 square kilometres (11,720 sq mi), of which a negligible percentage is covered with water. Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, making it one of only three countries in the world that are enclaves within another country; the other two are San Marino and Vatican City, both located within Italy. The total length of the South African border is 909 kilometres (565 mi). Lesotho's status as an enclave also means that it is landlocked and largely dependent on South Africa. The nearest major shipping port is Durban.
Lesotho can be roughly divided into three geographic regions: the lowlands, following the southern banks of the Caledon River, and in the Senqu river valley; the highlands formed by the Drakensberg and Maloti mountain ranges in the east and central parts of the country; and the foothills that form a divide between the lowlands and the highlands. The lowest elevation in the country is at the junction of the Makhaleng and Orange (Senqu) rivers (at the South African border), which at 1,400 metres (4,593 ft) is the highest lowest point of any country. Lesotho is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) in elevation. The highest point is the peak of the Thabana Ntlenyana mountain, which reaches an elevation of 3,482 metres (11,424 ft). Over 80% of Lesotho lies above 1,800 metres (5,906 ft).
Even though very little of Lesotho is covered in water, the rivers that run across the country are an important part of Lesotho's economy. Much of the country's export income comes from water, and much of its power comes from hydroelectricity. The Orange River rises in the Drakensberg mountains in northeastern Lesotho and flows across the entire length of the country before exiting to South Africa at the Mohale's Hoek District in the southwest. The Caledon River marks the northwestern part of the border with South Africa. Other rivers include the Malibamatso, Matsoku and Senqunyane.
The bedrock of Lesotho belongs to the Karoo Supergroup, consisting mostly of shale and sandstone. Peatlands can be found in the highlands of Lesotho, most extensively in the mountainous escarpment near the country's eastern border. The summit of Thabana Ntlenyana is partially encircled by bogs.
Other Info
Oficial Name:
Muso oa Lesotho
Kingdom of Lesotho
Independence:
October 4, 1966
Area:
30.355km2
Inhabitants:
2.340.000
Languages:
English [eng] Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
More information.
Phuthi [ssw] 43,000 in Lesotho (2002). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
More information.
Sotho, Southern [sot] 1,770,000 in Lesotho (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Population total all countries: 4,874,197. Also spoken in Botswana, South Africa. Alternate names: Suto, Suthu, Souto, Sesotho, Sisutho. Dialects: Sotho, Pedi, and Tswana are largely inherently intelligible but have generally been considered separate languages. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Sotho, Southern
More information.
Xhosa [xho] 18,000 in Lesotho (1993 Johnstone). Sebapala Valley, villages near Tosing; Tele Valley, Sinxondo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
More information.
Zulu [zul] 248,000 in Lesotho (1993). Butha-Buthe District, Caledonspoort Border Post. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
Capital city:
Maseru
Meaning country name:
After the indigenous Sotho people, whose own name means "black" or "dark-skinned".
Description Flag:
The current national flag of Lesotho, adopted on October 4, 2006, features a horizontal blue, white, and green tricolour with a black mokorotlo (a Basotho hat) in the centre. The design, introduced to honour the 40th anniversary of independence, is reportedly intended to reflect a peaceful orientation for the country.
Coat of arms:
The coat of arms of Lesotho was adopted on 4 October 1966 following independence. Pictured is a crocodile on a Basotho shield. This is the symbol of the dynasty of Lesotho's largest ethnicity, the Sotho. Behind the shield there are two crossed weapons from the 19th century. To the left and right of the shield are supporters of the shield, two Basutho horses. In the foreground there is a golden ribbon with the national motto of Lesotho: Khotso, Pula, Nala (Sotho, to English: Peace, Rain, Prosperity).
Motto:
"Khotso, Pula, Nala"
National Anthem: Lesotho Fatse La Bontata Rona
LESŌTHŌ FATŠE LA BO NTAT'A RŌNA
Lesōthō fatše la bo ntat'a rōna;
Ha ra mafatše le letle ke lona;
Ke moo re hlahileng,
ke moo re hōlileng,
Rea lerata,
Mōlimō ak'u bōlōke Lesōthō;
U felise lintoa le matšoenyeho;
Oho fatše lena;
La bo ntata rōna;
Le be le khotso.
English translation:
Lesotho, land of our Fathers,
Among countries you are the most beautiful.
You gave birth to us,
Within you we were reared--
You are dear to us.
God, please protect Lesotho.
Spare it conflict, spare it tribulation--
Oh you, land of mine,
Land of our Fathers,
May you know peace.
Internet Page: www.lesotho.gov.ls
Lesotho in diferent languages
eng | afr | bre | cat | ces | cor | cym | dan | dsb | est | eus | fin | fra | hsb | hun | ina | ita | jav | lld | nld | nor | nso | oci | pol | roh | ron | rup | slk | sme | sot | srd | swa | swe | szl | vor | zza: Lesotho
arg | ast | epo | fao | fry | fur | glg | glv | hrv | ibo | kin | lav | lin | mlg | mlt | por | run | slv | smo | spa | sqi | tur | wol: Lesoto
aze | bos | crh | kaa | slo | tuk | uzb: Lesoto / Лесото
deu | ltz | nds: Lesotho / Leſotho
ind | msa: Lesotho / ليسوثو
bam: Lesɔto
frp: Lesothô
gla: Leasoto
gle: Leosóta / Leosóta
hat: Lezoto
isl: Lesótó
jnf: Lésotho
kmr: Lêsoto / Лесото / لێسۆتۆ
kur: Lesoto / لەسۆتۆ
lat: Lesothum
lit: Lesotas
mol: Lesotho / Лесото
nrm: Lézotho
que: Lisutu
rmy: Lesoťo / लेसोथो
scn: Lesotu; Lesothu
smg: Lesuots
som: Losooto
tet: Lezotu
vie: Lê-xô-thô
vol: Sutuvän
wln: Lessoto
alt | bul | che | chm | chv | kbd | kir | kjh | kom | krc | kum | mkd | mon | oss | rus | tyv | udm | ukr: Лесото (Lesoto)
bak | srp | tat: Лесото / Lesoto
abq: Лесото (Łesoto)
bel: Лесота / Lesota
kaz: Лесото / Lesoto / لەسوتو
tgk: Лесото / لساتا / Lesoto
ara: ليسوثو (Līsūṯū); ليسوتو (Līsūtū)
fas: لسوتو / Lesoto
prs: لیسوتو (Lēsōtō)
pus: لېسوتو (Lesoto)
uig: لېسوتو / Lésoto / Лесото
urd: لیسوتھو (Lesotʰo); لسوتھو (Lasotʰo)
div: ލެސޯތޯ (Lesōtō)
heb: לסוטו (Lesôṭô); לסותו (Lesôtô)
lad: ליסוטו / Lesoto
yid: לעסאָטאָ (Lesoto)
amh: ሌሶቶ (Lesoto)
ell: Λεσότο (Lesóto); Λεσόθο (Lesóṯo)
hye: Լեսոտո (Lesoto); Լեսոթո (Lesoṭo)
kat: ლესოტო (Lesoto); ლესოთო (Lesoṭo)
hin: लेसोथो (Lesotʰo)
ben: লেসোথো (Lesotʰo); লেসাথো (Lesātʰo)
pan: ਲੀਸੋਥੋ (Līsotʰo)
kan: ಲೆಸೊಥೊ (Lesotʰo)
mal: ലെസോത്തോ (Lesōttō)
tam: லெசோத்தோ (Lečōttō)
tel: లెసోతో (Lesōtō)
zho: 萊索托/莱索托 (Láisuǒtuō)
jpn: レソト (Resoto)
kor: 레소토 (Laesoto)
mya: လီဆုိသုိ (Lisʰoṯo)
tha: เลโซโท (Lēsōtʰō); เลโซโธ (Lēsōtʰō)
khm: ឡេសូតូ (Ḷesūtū); លេសូតូ (Lesūtū)
Lesotho / Lesoto
Officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave—entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size with an estimated population of almost 1,800,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is the southernmost landlocked country in the world. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name "Lesotho" translates roughly into "the land of the people who speak Sesotho".
History
Please go to
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Lesotho
Geography
Lesotho is a mountainous, landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It is an enclave, completely surrounded by South Africa. The total length of the country's borders is 909 kilometres (565 mi). Lesotho covers an area of around 30,355 square kilometres (11,720 sq mi), of which a negligible percentage is covered with water.
The most notable geographic fact about Lesotho, apart from its status as an enclave, is that it is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) in elevation. Its lowest point is at 1,400 metres (4,593 ft), the highest lowest point of any country. Because of its elevation, the country's climate is cooler than in most other regions at the same latitude. Its climate zone can be classified as continental.
Lesotho is a country in Southern Africa, located at around 29°30' south latitude and 28°30' east longitude. It is the 141st largest country in the world, with a total land area of 30,355 square kilometres (11,720 sq mi), of which a negligible percentage is covered with water. Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, making it one of only three countries in the world that are enclaves within another country; the other two are San Marino and Vatican City, both located within Italy. The total length of the South African border is 909 kilometres (565 mi). Lesotho's status as an enclave also means that it is landlocked and largely dependent on South Africa. The nearest major shipping port is Durban.
Lesotho can be roughly divided into three geographic regions: the lowlands, following the southern banks of the Caledon River, and in the Senqu river valley; the highlands formed by the Drakensberg and Maloti mountain ranges in the east and central parts of the country; and the foothills that form a divide between the lowlands and the highlands. The lowest elevation in the country is at the junction of the Makhaleng and Orange (Senqu) rivers (at the South African border), which at 1,400 metres (4,593 ft) is the highest lowest point of any country. Lesotho is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) in elevation. The highest point is the peak of the Thabana Ntlenyana mountain, which reaches an elevation of 3,482 metres (11,424 ft). Over 80% of Lesotho lies above 1,800 metres (5,906 ft).
Even though very little of Lesotho is covered in water, the rivers that run across the country are an important part of Lesotho's economy. Much of the country's export income comes from water, and much of its power comes from hydroelectricity. The Orange River rises in the Drakensberg mountains in northeastern Lesotho and flows across the entire length of the country before exiting to South Africa at the Mohale's Hoek District in the southwest. The Caledon River marks the northwestern part of the border with South Africa. Other rivers include the Malibamatso, Matsoku and Senqunyane.
The bedrock of Lesotho belongs to the Karoo Supergroup, consisting mostly of shale and sandstone. Peatlands can be found in the highlands of Lesotho, most extensively in the mountainous escarpment near the country's eastern border. The summit of Thabana Ntlenyana is partially encircled by bogs.
Other Info
Oficial Name:
Muso oa Lesotho
Kingdom of Lesotho
Independence:
October 4, 1966
Area:
30.355km2
Inhabitants:
2.340.000
Languages:
English [eng] Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
More information.
Phuthi [ssw] 43,000 in Lesotho (2002). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
More information.
Sotho, Southern [sot] 1,770,000 in Lesotho (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Population total all countries: 4,874,197. Also spoken in Botswana, South Africa. Alternate names: Suto, Suthu, Souto, Sesotho, Sisutho. Dialects: Sotho, Pedi, and Tswana are largely inherently intelligible but have generally been considered separate languages. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Sotho, Southern
More information.
Xhosa [xho] 18,000 in Lesotho (1993 Johnstone). Sebapala Valley, villages near Tosing; Tele Valley, Sinxondo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
More information.
Zulu [zul] 248,000 in Lesotho (1993). Butha-Buthe District, Caledonspoort Border Post. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
Capital city:
Maseru
Meaning country name:
After the indigenous Sotho people, whose own name means "black" or "dark-skinned".
Description Flag:
The current national flag of Lesotho, adopted on October 4, 2006, features a horizontal blue, white, and green tricolour with a black mokorotlo (a Basotho hat) in the centre. The design, introduced to honour the 40th anniversary of independence, is reportedly intended to reflect a peaceful orientation for the country.
Coat of arms:
The coat of arms of Lesotho was adopted on 4 October 1966 following independence. Pictured is a crocodile on a Basotho shield. This is the symbol of the dynasty of Lesotho's largest ethnicity, the Sotho. Behind the shield there are two crossed weapons from the 19th century. To the left and right of the shield are supporters of the shield, two Basutho horses. In the foreground there is a golden ribbon with the national motto of Lesotho: Khotso, Pula, Nala (Sotho, to English: Peace, Rain, Prosperity).
Motto:
"Khotso, Pula, Nala"
National Anthem: Lesotho Fatse La Bontata Rona
LESŌTHŌ FATŠE LA BO NTAT'A RŌNA
Lesōthō fatše la bo ntat'a rōna;
Ha ra mafatše le letle ke lona;
Ke moo re hlahileng,
ke moo re hōlileng,
Rea lerata,
Mōlimō ak'u bōlōke Lesōthō;
U felise lintoa le matšoenyeho;
Oho fatše lena;
La bo ntata rōna;
Le be le khotso.
English translation:
Lesotho, land of our Fathers,
Among countries you are the most beautiful.
You gave birth to us,
Within you we were reared--
You are dear to us.
God, please protect Lesotho.
Spare it conflict, spare it tribulation--
Oh you, land of mine,
Land of our Fathers,
May you know peace.
Internet Page: www.lesotho.gov.ls
Lesotho in diferent languages
eng | afr | bre | cat | ces | cor | cym | dan | dsb | est | eus | fin | fra | hsb | hun | ina | ita | jav | lld | nld | nor | nso | oci | pol | roh | ron | rup | slk | sme | sot | srd | swa | swe | szl | vor | zza: Lesotho
arg | ast | epo | fao | fry | fur | glg | glv | hrv | ibo | kin | lav | lin | mlg | mlt | por | run | slv | smo | spa | sqi | tur | wol: Lesoto
aze | bos | crh | kaa | slo | tuk | uzb: Lesoto / Лесото
deu | ltz | nds: Lesotho / Leſotho
ind | msa: Lesotho / ليسوثو
bam: Lesɔto
frp: Lesothô
gla: Leasoto
gle: Leosóta / Leosóta
hat: Lezoto
isl: Lesótó
jnf: Lésotho
kmr: Lêsoto / Лесото / لێسۆتۆ
kur: Lesoto / لەسۆتۆ
lat: Lesothum
lit: Lesotas
mol: Lesotho / Лесото
nrm: Lézotho
que: Lisutu
rmy: Lesoťo / लेसोथो
scn: Lesotu; Lesothu
smg: Lesuots
som: Losooto
tet: Lezotu
vie: Lê-xô-thô
vol: Sutuvän
wln: Lessoto
alt | bul | che | chm | chv | kbd | kir | kjh | kom | krc | kum | mkd | mon | oss | rus | tyv | udm | ukr: Лесото (Lesoto)
bak | srp | tat: Лесото / Lesoto
abq: Лесото (Łesoto)
bel: Лесота / Lesota
kaz: Лесото / Lesoto / لەسوتو
tgk: Лесото / لساتا / Lesoto
ara: ليسوثو (Līsūṯū); ليسوتو (Līsūtū)
fas: لسوتو / Lesoto
prs: لیسوتو (Lēsōtō)
pus: لېسوتو (Lesoto)
uig: لېسوتو / Lésoto / Лесото
urd: لیسوتھو (Lesotʰo); لسوتھو (Lasotʰo)
div: ލެސޯތޯ (Lesōtō)
heb: לסוטו (Lesôṭô); לסותו (Lesôtô)
lad: ליסוטו / Lesoto
yid: לעסאָטאָ (Lesoto)
amh: ሌሶቶ (Lesoto)
ell: Λεσότο (Lesóto); Λεσόθο (Lesóṯo)
hye: Լեսոտո (Lesoto); Լեսոթո (Lesoṭo)
kat: ლესოტო (Lesoto); ლესოთო (Lesoṭo)
hin: लेसोथो (Lesotʰo)
ben: লেসোথো (Lesotʰo); লেসাথো (Lesātʰo)
pan: ਲੀਸੋਥੋ (Līsotʰo)
kan: ಲೆಸೊಥೊ (Lesotʰo)
mal: ലെസോത്തോ (Lesōttō)
tam: லெசோத்தோ (Lečōttō)
tel: లెసోతో (Lesōtō)
zho: 萊索托/莱索托 (Láisuǒtuō)
jpn: レソト (Resoto)
kor: 레소토 (Laesoto)
mya: လီဆုိသုိ (Lisʰoṯo)
tha: เลโซโท (Lēsōtʰō); เลโซโธ (Lēsōtʰō)
khm: ឡេសូតូ (Ḷesūtū); លេសូតូ (Lesūtū)