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Lesotho is a Southern African country. Forming an
enclave in the eastern part of South Africa, between the
South African provinces of Natal, Orange and Cape,
Lesotho has an area of 30 355 km2. The main
cities are Maseru, the capital, with 178 300 inhabitants
(2004), Maputsoe (36 200 inhab.), Teyateyaneng (23 700
inhab.), Mafeteng (36 000 inhab.) And Hlotse (23 400
inhab.). The geographical characteristics of this
region influence the entire economic, political and
social framework of Lesotho. It is a country with a very
rugged relief (western slope of the Drakensberg
mountains), where only 10% of the land is arable.
Climate
The climate is subtropical, with the temperature quite
moderate due to the effect of altitude.
Economy
The main agricultural products are maize, tubers,
sorghum and wheat. Livestock farming has some relevance
in the economy of rural areas. Lesotho has few natural
resources and is experiencing a timid industrial
development through small projects related to jewelery,
ceramics and furniture.
The country is dependent on the cooperation
established with South Africa. This can be seen in the
presence of Lesotho in the Tripartite Monetary Area
(which also includes Swaziland, South Africa and
Namibia), as a member of the Customs Union. South
Africa, because its currency (the loti) is quoted by the
rand (South African currency), because it shares an
integrated communications system with South Africa and
because an undetermined number of natives find emigrants
in South Africa.
Environmental indicator: no data (1999).
Population
The population was, in 2006, 2 022 331 inhabitants,
which corresponded to a density of 61.51 inhab./km2. The
birth and death rates are respectively 24.75% and
28.71%. Average life expectancy is 34.4 years. The value
of the Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.510 and the
value of the Gender-adjusted Development Index (IDG) is
0.497 (2001). It is estimated that, in 2025, the
population will be 2,414,000 inhabitants. The country's
ethnic groups are the Sothos (85%) and the Zulos
(15%). The most representative religions are Catholicism
(43%) and Protestantism (29%). The official languages
are Sotho and English.
History
Lesotho, inhabited by the different clans of the Basotan
people since the 16th century, has its origin in the
year 1824, when Moshoeshoe, the most powerful chieftain
of the tribes of the Basotan people (tribes who were
involved in violent wars), assured a defensive position
in the center of the territory from which he organized
the kingdom of Basoto. In 1843, Moshoeshoe, as a result
of the tense relationship with the South African Boers,
allowed the passage from Basoto to English protectorate,
being annexed to the Cape colony in 1871, a year after
Moshoeshoe's death. In 1884, Lesotho severed its
connection with the Cape colony, assuming the status of
Territory of the British High Commission, a situation
that lasted until 1964, the year in which a Constitution
was passed declaring the independence of the kingdom. A
year later general elections were held that gave victory
to the National Party of Basutolandia, headed by Leabua
Jonathan, who remained in power until 1986, when a coup
led by General Justin Lekhanya overthrew Lebua
Jonathan. This occurred in the wake of a serious
economic and social crisis, caused by the economic
blockade imposed by South Africa in response to
Jonathan's criticisms of apartheid policy. Although
relations between the two countries were quickly
restored, this did not prevent the situation in Lesotho
from becoming increasingly precarious, leading to a new
coup d'état in 1991, which brought Colonel Elias Ramaena
to power, who promised to hold elections. These would
take place in 1993, giving the victory to the party of
the Pan-African Congress of Basoto (BCP), led by Ntsu
Mokhehle. However, due to clashes between the armed
branch of the BCP and a rival faction of the army, King
Letsie III, in August 1994, in an attempt to carry out a
royal coup d'état, dissolved the Mokhehle Government and
Parliament, a decision from which it went back on
September 14 of the same year, thanks not only to the
huge protests of the population, but also to the threats
of economic blockades by South Africa and the
Commonwealth countries.
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