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 Lesotho is a small, land-locked country completely surrounded by South Africa, with a population of around two million people. Rugged and mountainous, it is also known as the Mountain Kingdom and is about the size of Belgium, Taiwan or the US state of Maryland.
Lesotho is ranked as a Least Developed Country. Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, livestock, remittances from migrant miners working South Africa, a developing diamond industry and the textile and apparel sector. Lesotho was a British protectorate until independence in 1966, and is a constitutional monarchy with a democratically elected government. It is a member of many regional economic organisations including the South African Development Community (SADC) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). It is also active in the United National (UN), the African Union, the Non-Alligned Movement, the Commonwealth, and many other international organisations. South Africa, the United States, Ireland, China and the European Union retain resident diplomatic missions in Lesotho. The British High Commission closed in 2005 and the UK is now represented in Lesotho by its High Commission resident in South Africa. The UN is represented by a resident mission as well, including the UN Development Programme, UN Children's Fund, World Health Organisation, Food and Agricultural Organisation, World Food Programme and UNAIDS. Lesotho is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1 000 meters (3 300 ft) in elevation. Its lowest point is 1 400 (4 593 ft) meters and over 80% of the country lies above 1 800 meters (5 900 ft) Due to its altitude, Lesotho remains cooler throughout the year than other regions at the same latitude. Maseru and surrounding lowlands often reach 30°C (86°F) in summer. Winters can be cold with the lowlands getting down to -7°C (19°F) and the highlands to -18°C (O°F) at times. Snowfall is common in the highlands between May and September and the higher peaks can experience snowfalls year-round. Country Facts  Population: Two million (UN, 2008) - Capital: Maseru
- Size: 30 355 sq km (11 720 sq miles)
- Altituide: Lowest 1 388m; highest 3 482m
- Major languages: Sesotho, English
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 41 years (men), 39 years (women) (UN)
- Literacy: 84% of people over the age of 15 can read and write
- Urban population: 25% of total population
- Main exports: Clothing, wool, mohair, livestock, water (to South Africa)
- GNI per capita: US$1 000 (World Bank, 2007)
- Monetary unit: Loti (plural Maloti) 1 loti = 100 lisente. The currency is tied to the South African Rand
- International telephone code: +266
- Internet domain: .ls
- Standard power: 220/240 volts AC 50Hz
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