Africa
Lesotho: flag, map, capital and facts
Everything about Lesotho: its flag, its map and its facts.
- Capital
- Maseru
- Population
- 2.4 million
- Area
- 30,355 km²
- Currencies
- Lesotho Loti · South African Rand
#143 by population · #138 by area · #172 economy in the world · #111 by population density
Population and society
Population of ls, 1960–2025. From 736,500 in 1960 to 2.4 million in 2025.
- Population density
- 77 per km² (rank 111 of 194)
- Urban population
- 44.7% (2025)
- Under 15
- 34.1% (2025)
- Over 65
- 3.9% (2025)
- Children per woman
- 2.66 (2024)
- Internet users
- 51.8% (2024)
Economy and nature
- GDP
- $2.6B (rank 172 of 194)
- Unemployment
- 16.3% (2025)
- Inflation
- 4.3% (2025)
- Forests
- 1.1% (of its land · 2024)
- CO₂ per person
- 0.4 t (a year · 2024)
- Lowest point
- 1,400 m (Orange River)
Figures: World Bank, latest year with data. Lowest point: reviewed by hand.
Symbols
- Anthem
- Lesotho Fatse La Bontata Rona (Lesotho fatše la bo-ntat'a rona)
- Official name
- Kingdom of Lesotho
- Motto
- Khotso, Pula, Nala (Southern Sotho)
Coat of arms and anthem: Wikimedia Commons.
Practical facts
- Official languages
- English and Southern Sotho
- Calling code
- +266
- Internet domain
- .ls
- Driving side
- On the left
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Demonym
- Mosotho
Geography
- Continent
- Africa
- Neighbouring countries
- South Africa
- Highest point
- Thabana Ntlenyana (3,482 m)
- Largest city
- Maseru, the capital
- Access to the sea
- No (landlocked)
History and politics
- Form of government
- Parliamentary monarchy
- Independence from
- United Kingdom (1966)
Economy and life
- GDP per person
- $1,089 (2025)
- Life expectancy
- 57.8 years (2024)
- Human Development Index
- 0.55 (rank 167 of 193)
Districts in figures
| Name | Population | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|
| Berea | 262,616 (2016) | 2,222 |
| Butha-Buthe | 118,242 (2016) | 1,767 |
| Leribe | 337,521 (2016) | 2,828 |
| Mafeteng | 178,222 (2016) | 2,119 |
| Maseru | 519,186 (2016) | 4,279 |
| Mohale's Hoek | 165,590 (2016) | 3,530 |
| Mokhotlong | 100,442 (2016) | 4,075 |
| Qacha's Nek | 74,566 (2016) | 2,349 |
| Quthing | 115,469 (2016) | 2,916 |
| Thaba-Tseka | 135,347 (2016) | 4,270 |
Capitals, population and area: Wikidata. The year of each population is in brackets.
Its flags over time
Lesotho · 1966–1987
Lesotho · 1987–2006- Lesotho · 2006–today
Flags: Wikimedia Commons. Authors, where the licence asks for it: 1966–1987 (CC BY-SA 3.0, Zscout370).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Lesotho?
Maseru
How many people live in Lesotho?
2.4 million inhabitants (2025)
What currency is used in Lesotho?
Lesotho Loti and South African Rand
What are the official languages of Lesotho?
English and Southern Sotho
What is the calling code of Lesotho?
+266
Which countries border Lesotho?
South Africa
What is the highest point of Lesotho?
Thabana Ntlenyana (3,482 m)
Play Lesotho · Flag of Lesotho · Country fact sheets · Maps: Africa · Geotaria
Data: World Bank (population, economy), UNDP (human development), Wikidata, GeoNames and mledoze/countries.