NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Lesotho

¹ Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.

This article does not cite any references or sources. (April 2008)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Lesotho (pronounced /lɪˈsuːtuː/ listen (help·info)), officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a land-locked country, entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Formerly Basutoland, it is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name Lesotho roughly translates into "the land of the people who speak Sesotho."^{[citation needed]}. Image File history File links Flag_of_Lesotho. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 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 coat of arms of Lesotho was adopted on 4 October 1966 following independence. ... For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation). ... Sesotho is a language spoken in southern Africa. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Lesotho Fatse La Bontata Rona is the national anthem of Lesotho. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... [[Image:www. ... Maseru (also Masero) is the capital of Lesotho. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Sesotho (Sotho, Southern Sotho or Southern Sesotho[1]) is a Bantu language spoken primarily in South Africa, where it is one of the 11 official languages, and in Lesotho, where it is the national language. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box: A constitutional monarchy or limited monarchy is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges an elected or hereditary monarch as head of state, as opposed to an absolute monarchy, where the monarch is not... Royal Standard of the King of Lesotho This page lists Paramount Chiefs and Kings of Lesotho. ... Letsie III (original name David Mohato Bereng Seeiso) (born July 17, 1963) is the king of Lesotho. ... List of the Heads of Government of Lesotho Political Parties ... Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili (born 1945) is the Prime Minister of Lesotho, and has been since May 29, 1998. ... is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here areas between 10,000 kmÂ² and 100,000 kmÂ². ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (â‰ˆ1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... Map of countries by population for the year 2007 This is a list of countries ordered according to population. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/kmÂ². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Look up Per capita in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article includes two lists of countries of the world[1] sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year divided by the average population for the same year. ... Graphical representation of the Gini coefficient The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality of income distribution or inequality of wealth distribution. ... This page talks about Human Development Index, for other HDIs see HDI (disambiguation) World map indicating Human Development Index (2007). ... This talks about the countries in the Human Development Index, for information on the Human Development Index, please Click Here World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) (Colour-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems. ... The Loti (pl. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... UTC redirects here. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .ls is the Internet country code top-level domain ( ccTLD) for Lesotho. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... A landlocked country is one that has no coastline. ... The mountainous and largely arid land that came to be Basutoland was populated by San (bushmen, Qhuaique) until the end of the 16th century. ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2008. ... Sesotho is a language spoken in southern Africa. ...

History

Main article: History of Lesotho

The earliest inhabitants of the area were Khoisan hunter-gatherers. They were largely replaced by Bantu-speaking tribes during Bantu migrations. Lesotho (pronounced ) â€” had been populated by Khoi Khoi (Qhuaique) for possibly as long as 40,000 years. ... Khoisan (increasingly commonly spelled Khoesan or Khoe-San) is the name for two major ethnic groups of southern Africa. ... In anthropology, the hunter-gatherer way of life is that led by certain societies of the Neolithic Era based on the exploitation of wild plants and animals. ... Map showing the approximate distribution of Bantu (light brown) vs. ... Map showing the approximate distribution of Bantu (light brown) vs. ...

The present Lesotho (then called Basutoland) emerged as a single polity under paramount chief Moshoeshoe I in 1822. It was recognized by the United Kingdom on 13 December 1843, and on 12 March 1868 became one of the High Commission Territories. On 30 April 1965 it was granted autonomy. Its name changed when Lesotho gained full independence within the Commonwealth of Nations on October 4, 1966. For other uses, see Polity (disambiguation). ... King Moshoeshoe I Moshoeshoe (1786?-1870) was born at Menkhoaneng in the Northern part of present-day Lesotho. ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1843 (MDCCCXLIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 71st day of the year (72nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ...

In January 1970 the ruling Basotho National Party (BNP) lost the first post-independence general elections, with 23 seats to the Basutoland Congress Party's 36. Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan refused to cede power to the Basotho Congress Party (BCP), declared himself Tona Kholo (Sesotho translation of prime minister),^{[citation needed]} and imprisoned the BCP leadership. The Basotho National Party is a conservative political party in Lesotho, founded in the 1959 as the Basutoland National Party by Leabua Jonathan. ... Joseph Leabua Jonathan (b. ... The Basotho Congress Party is a pan-africanist and left-wing political party in Lesotho, led by Ntsukunyane Mphanya. ...

The BCP began a rebellion and then received training in Libya for its Lesotho Liberation Army (LLA) under the pretence of being Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) soldiers of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Deprived of arms and supplies by the Sibeko faction of the PAC in 1978, the 178-strong LLA was rescued from their Tanzanian base by the financial assistance of a Maoist PAC officer but launched the guerrilla war with a handful of old weapons. The main force was defeated in northern Lesotho and later guerrillas launched sporadic but usually ineffectual attacks. The campaign was severely compromised when BCP's leader, Ntsu Mokhehle, went to Pretoria. In the early 1980s, several Basotho who sympathized with the exiled BCP were threatened with death and attacked by the government of Leabua Jonathan. In September 1981 the family of Benjamin Masilo was attacked. A few days later, Edgar Mahlomola Motuba was taken from his home and murdered. PAC symbol The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) (later the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania), was a South African liberation movement, that is now a minor political party. ... David Sibeko David Maphgumzana Sibeko (b. ... Ideologies Communist internationals Prominent communists Related subjects Communism Portal Maoism or Mao Zedong Thought (traditional Chinese: ; simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ), is a variant of Communism derived from the teachings of the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong (Wade-Giles Romanization: Mao Tse-tung). Marxism consists of thousands of truths, but they all... Ntsu Mokhehle (b. ... Motto: Praestantia Praevaleat Pretoria (May Pretoria Be Pre-eminent In Excellence) Country Province Established 1855 Area - Total 1,644 kmÂ² (634. ... Joseph Leabua Jonathan (b. ...

The BNP ruled by decree until January 1986 when a military coup forced it out of office. The Military Council that came to power granted executive powers to King Moshoeshoe II, who was until then a ceremonial monarch. But in 1987 the King was forced into exile after a falling out with the army. His son was installed as King Letsie III. Decree is an order that has the force of law. ... Coup redirects here. ... Royal Standard of the King of Lesotho This page lists Paramount Chiefs and Kings of Lesotho. ... Moshoeshoe II (1938 - January 15, 1996) was the paramount chief of Lesotho, succeeding paramount chief Seeiso from 1960 until it gained full independence from Britain in 1966. ... Letsie III (original name David Mohato Bereng Seeiso) (born July 17, 1963) is the king of Lesotho. ...

The chairman of the military junta, Major General Justin Metsing Lekhanya, was ousted in 1991 and replaced by Major General Elias Phisoana Ramaema, who handed over power to a democratically elected government of the BCP in 1993. Moshoeshoe II returned from exile in 1992 as an ordinary citizen. After the return to democratic government, King Letsie III tried unsuccessfully to persuade the BCP government to reinstate his father (Moshoeshoe II) as head of state. A military junta is government by a committee of military leaders. ... Retired General Justin Metsing Lekhonya (born April 7, 1938 in Thaba-Tseka, Lesotho) was the prime minister, defense minister and chairman of the military council of Lesotho from January 24, 1986 until May 2, 1991. ... Elias Phisoana Ramaema (born 1933) was Chairman of the Military Council of Lesotho (Head of government) from 2 May 1991 to 2 April 1993. ... For the comedy film of the same name, see Head of State (film). ...

In August 1994, Letsie III staged a military-backed coup that deposed the BCP government. The new government did not receive full international recognition. Member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) engaged in negotiations to reinstate the BCP government. One of the conditions Letsie III put forward for this was that his father should be re-installed as head of state. After protracted negotiations, the BCP government was reinstated and Letsie III abdicated in favor of his father in 1995, but Moshoeshoe II died in a car 'accident' in 1996 and was again succeeded by his son. SADC-only (yellow) and SADC+SACU members Headquarters Gaborone, Botswana Working languages Membership 15 African states Leaders - Secretary General Establishment - as the SADCC April 1, 1980 - as the SADC August 17, 1992 Website http://www. ...

In 1997, the ruling BCP split over leadership disputes. Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle formed a new party, the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), and was followed by a majority of Members of Parliament, which enabled him to form a new government. Pakalitha Mosisili succeeded Mokhehle as party leader and the LCD won the general elections in 1998. Although the elections were pronounced free and fair by local and international observers and a subsequent special commission appointed by SADC, the opposition political parties rejected the results. Ntsu Mokhehle (b. ... Politics of Lesotho Categories: Politics stubs | Lesotho political parties ... Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili (born 1945) is the Prime Minister of Lesotho, and has been since May 29, 1998. ... A political party is a political organization that seeks to attain political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns. ...

Opposition protests in the country intensified, culminating in a peaceful demonstration outside the royal palace in August 1998. Exact details of what followed are greatly disputed and it remain contested even within South Africa, but in September that year, a SADC task force operating on orders of unclear provenance entered the capital Maseru. While the Botswana Defence Force troops were welcomed, tensions with South African National Defence Force troops were high, resulting in fighting. Incidences of sporadic rioting intensified when South African troops hoisted a South African flag over the Royal Palace. By the time the SADC forces withdrew in May 1999, much of Maseru lay in ruins, and the southern provincial capital towns of Mafeteng and Mohale's Hoek had seen the loss of over a third of their commercial real estate. A number of South Africans and Basotho also died in the fighting. The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) is the army of Botswana. ... The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is the name of the armed forces of South Africa. ... Mafeteng is the capital city of Mafeteng District in Lesotho. ... Mohales Hoek is the capital city of Mohales Hoek District in Lesotho. ...

An Interim Political Authority (IPA), charged with reviewing the electoral structure in the country, was created in December 1998. The IPA devised a proportional electoral system to ensure that the opposition would be represented in the National Assembly. The new system retained the existing 80 elected Assembly seats, but added 40 seats to be filled on a proportional basis. Elections were held under this new system in May 2002, and the LCD won again, gaining 54% of the vote. But for the first time, opposition political parties won significant numbers of seats, and despite some irregularities and threats of violence from Major General Lekhanya, Lesotho experienced its first peaceful election. Nine opposition parties now hold all 40 of the proportional seats, with the BNP having the largest share (21). The LCD has 79 of the 80 constituency-based seats. Although its elected members participate in the National Assembly, the BNP has launched several legal challenges to the elections, including a recount; none has been successful.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Lesotho

The Lesotho Government is a constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister, Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, is head of government and has executive authority. The king serves a largely ceremonial function; he no longer possesses any executive authority and is proscribed from actively participating in political initiatives. The Lesotho Government is a modified form of constitutional monarchy. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box: A constitutional monarchy or limited monarchy is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges an elected or hereditary monarch as head of state, as opposed to an absolute monarchy, where the monarch is not... The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ...

The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) controls a majority in the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament) with 62 seats. The All Basotho Convention (ABC), a party formed shortly before the poll under the leadership of former foreign minister Tom Thabane, is the main opposition. The Basotho National Party (BNP), the Alliance of Congress Parties (ACP) and the newly formed Basotho Batho Democratic Party (BBDP) and the Basotho Democratic National Party (BDNP) Lesotho are among the other five opposition parties represented. The National Assembly of Lesotho is the lower chamber of the countrys bicameral Parliament. ... The All Basotho Convention (ABC) is a political party in Lesotho. ... Tom Thabane (born 1939) is a political figure in Lesotho. ...

The ABC has brought a dramatic change in the Lesotho's politics, due to it having won 17, mainly urban, seats out of 80 Constituency seats, only a few months after it was formed in September 2006. Of the 40 Proportional Representation (PR) seats, the National Independent Party (NIP), a parliamentary ally of the ruling party, has the highest number of seats at 21. The Lesotho Workers Party has the next highest number of proportional seats with 10. The BNP is the opposition party with the biggest loss in the February 2007 election with its representation reduced from 21 to 3 seats. A total of 12 political parties are represented in the 120-member parliament.

The upper house of parliament, called the Senate, is composed of twenty-two principal chiefs whose membership is hereditary, and eleven appointees of the king, acting on the advice of the prime minister. The Senate of Lesotho is the upper chamber of the countrys bicameral Parliament. ...

The constitution provides for an independent judicial system, made up of the High Court, the Court of Appeal, Magistrate's Courts, and traditional courts that exist predominantly in rural areas. All but one of the Justices on the Court of Appeal are South African jurists. There is no trial by jury; rather, judges make rulings alone, or, in the case of criminal trials, with two other judges as observers.

The constitution also protects basic civil liberties, including freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of religion. Civil liberties is the name given to freedoms that protect the individual from government. ... This article is about the general concept. ... Freedom of association is a Constitutional (legal) concept based on the premise that it is the right of free adults to mutually choose their associates for whatever purpose they see fit. ... Freedom of the Press (or Press Freedom) is the guarantee by a government of free public press for its citizens and their associations, extended to members of news gathering organizations, and their published reporting. ... Group of women holding placards with political activist slogans: know your courts - study your politicians, Liberty in law, Law makers must not be law breakers, and character in candidates photo 1920 Freedom of assembly is the freedom to associate with, or organize any groups, gatherings, clubs, or organizations that one... The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen guarantees freedom of religion, as long as religious activities do not infringe on public order in ways detrimental to society. ...

Districts

Districts of Lesotho

Main article: Districts of Lesotho

Administratively, Lesotho is divided into ten districts, each headed by a district administrator. Each district has a capital known as a camptown. Image File history File links Lesotho. ... Image File history File links Lesotho. ... Lesotho is divided into 10 districts: Berea Butha-Buthe Leribe Mafeteng Maseru Mohales Hoek Mokhotlong Qachas Nek Quthing Thaba-Tseka. ... Lesotho is divided into 10 districts: Berea Butha-Buthe Leribe Mafeteng Maseru Mohales Hoek Mokhotlong Qachas Nek Quthing Thaba-Tseka. ... A camptown, in the country of Lesotho, is a district capital for one of the ten districts in the country. ...

Berea
Butha-Buthe
Leribe
Mafeteng
Maseru

The districts are further subdivided into 80 constituencies, which consists of 129 local community councils. Berea is a district of Lesotho. ... Butha-Buthe is a district of Lesotho. ... Leribe is a district of Lesotho. ... Mafeteng is a district of Lesotho. ... Maseru is a district of Lesotho. ... Mohales Hoek is a district of Lesotho. ... Mokhotlong district (in Sesotho language The Place of the Bald Ibis) is a district of Lesotho. ... Qachas Nek is a district of Lesotho. ... Quthing is a district of Lesotho. ... Thaba-Tseka is a district of Lesotho. ...

Geography

Satellite image of Lesotho, generated from raster graphics data supplied by The Map Library

Snow on the Lesotho Moteng pass

Main article: Geography of Lesotho

Lesotho covers 30,355 square kilometres (11,720 sq mi). 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 (3,300 ft) in elevation. Its lowest point is 1,400 metres (4,593 ft), and over 80% of the country lies above 1,800 metres (5,900 ft). Image File history File links Lesotho_sat. ... Image File history File links Lesotho_sat. ... Imagine the smiley face in the top left corner as an RGB bitmap image. ... Satellite image of Congo, generated from raster graphics data supplied by The Map Library. ... Image File history File links Snowfall_Lesotho_2. ... Image File history File links Snowfall_Lesotho_2. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 29° 30′ S, 28° 30′ E Map references: Africa Area: total: 30,355 km² land: 30,355 km² water: 0 km² Area - comparative: one and a half times the size of Wales Land boundaries: total: 909 km border countries: South... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol kmÂ², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (â‰ˆ1,609 m) in length. ... This cites very few or no references or sources. ...

Climate

Due to its altitude, Lesotho remains cooler throughout the year than other regions at the same latitude. Most of the rain falls as summer thunderstorms. 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 (0 °F) at times. Snow is common in the deserts and low valleys between May and September; the higher peaks can experience snowfalls year-round. A shelf cloud associated with a heavy or severe thunderstorm over Enschede, The Netherlands. ... Maseru (also Masero) is the capital of Lesotho. ... For other uses, see Celsius (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Snow (disambiguation). ... This article is about arid terrain. ... FljÃ³tsdalur in East Iceland, a rather flat valley In geology, a valley (also called a vale or dale) is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. ...

Economy

Main article: Economy of Lesotho

Lesotho's economy is based on exports of water sold to South Africa, manufacturing, agriculture, livestock, and to some extent the earnings of laborers employed in South Africa. Lesotho also exports diamonds, wool, mohair, clothing, and footwear. One of Levi's jeans manufacturing facilities is located there. Lesotho is geographically surrounded by South Africa and economically integrated with it as well. The majority of households subsist on farming or migrant labor, primarily miners who remain in South Africa for 3 to 9 months. The western lowlands form the main agricultural zone. Almost 50% of the population earns some income through crop cultivation or animal husbandry, with over half the country's income coming from the agricultural sector. The Economy of Lesotho is based on agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, and the earnings of laborers employed in South Africa. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... This article is about the mineral. ... For other uses, see Wool (disambiguation). ... Not to be confused with Mohair (band). ... A baby wearing many items of winter clothing: headband, cap, fur-lined coat, shawl and sweater. ... High-heeled shoe Footwear consists of garments worn on the feet. ... Levis is a brand of riveted denim jeans manufactured by Levi Strauss & Co. ...

Gorges of the River Makhaleng in Lesotho's highlands.

Water is Lesotho's only significant natural resource. It is utilised through the 21-year, multi-billion-dollar Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which began in 1986. The LHWP is designed to capture, store, and transfer water from the Orange River system to South Africa's Free State and greater Johannesburg area, which features a large concentration of South African industry, population, and agriculture. Completion of the first phase of the project has made Lesotho almost completely self-sufficient in the production of electricity and generated approximately $24 million annually from the sale of electricity and water to South Africa. The World Bank, African Development Bank, European Investment Bank, and many other bilateral donors financed the project. Lesotho has taken advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to become the largest exporter of garments to the US from sub-Saharan Africa. Exports totaled over $320 million in 2002. Employment reached over 50,000, marking the first time that manufacturing sector workers outnumbered government employees. Asian investors own all factories. Image File history File linksMetadata Lesotho_Makhaleng. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Lesotho_Makhaleng. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... Katse Dam reservoir and intake tower The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is an ongoing water supply project with a small hydropower component, developed in partnership between the governments of Lesotho and South Africa. ... The Orange River (Afrikaans/Dutch: Oranjerivier), Gariep River or Senqu River is the longest river in South Africa. ... The World Bank logo The World Bank (the Bank) is a part of the World Bank Group (WBG), is a bank that makes loans to developing countries for development programs with the stated goal of reducing poverty. ... The African Development Bank (ADB) is a development bank established in 1964 with the intention of promoting economic and social development in Africa. ... The European Investment Bank (the Banque Européenne dInvestissement) is the European Unions financing institution and was established under the Treaty of Rome (1957) to provide loan finance for capital investment furthering European Union policy objectives, in particular regional development, Trans-European Networks of transport, telecommunications and energy... In May 2000, the U.S. Congress approved legislation known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or . ...

Lesotho has nearly 6,000 kilometers of unpaved and modern all-weather roads. There is a short freight rail line linking Lesotho with South Africa that is owned and operated by South Africa.

The official currency is the loti (plural: maloti), but can be used interchangeably with the South African rand. Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, and South Africa also form a common currency and exchange control area known as the Common Monetary Area (CMA). The loti is at par with the rand, while one hundred lisente equal one loti. The Loti (pl. ... The old R1 and new R10 bank notes The Rand is the currency of South Africa. ... Allied to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is the Common Monetary Area (CMA) which links South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland into a Currency union. ...

The Afriski resort in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho.

Lesotho is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), in which tariffs have been eliminated on the trade of goods between other member countries Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. Image File history File links Afriski. ... Image File history File links Afriski. ... This article, image, template or category should belong in one or more categories. ... The Maluti Mountains (also spelled Maloti), are found in the highlands of Lesotho and named the Drakensberg in South Africa. ... States of SACU // Origins The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) came into existence on December 11, 1969 with the signature of the Customs Union Agreement between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. ...

Lesotho has received economic aid from a variety of sources, including the United States, the World Bank, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Germany. The World Bank logo The World Bank (the Bank) is a part of the World Bank Group (WBG), is a bank that makes loans to developing countries for development programs with the stated goal of reducing poverty. ...

Tourism is a slowly growing industry. A ski resort recently opened in the high Maluti Mountains is drawing tourists from South Africa. The Maluti Mountains (also spelled Maloti), are found in the highlands of Lesotho and named the Drakensberg in South Africa. ...

Significant levels of child labour exist in Lesotho, and the country is in the process of formulating an Action Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (APEC), which is likely to be adopted in the period 2006-2007 (see Child labour in Lesotho). Significant levels of child labour appears to be found in Lesotho. ...

Demographics

See also: Demographics of Lesotho

[[Image:www. ...

Population

Lesotho has a population of approximately 1.881 million, according to 2006 Census.^[1]^{[citation needed]} The population distribution of Lesotho is 23.8 percent urban and 76.2 percent rural. Population density is lower in the highlands than in the western lowlands. Although the majority of the population -- 57.6 percent -- is between 15 and 64 years of age, Lesotho has a substantial youth population numbering around 37 percent. The annual population growth is -0.46%.

Languages

Lesotho's ethno-linguistic structure consists almost entirely of the Basotho, a Bantu-speaking people. The Kwena (Bakoena) are the largest subgroup of the Sotho; other Basotho subgroups include the Natal (North) Nguni, Batloung (the Tlou), Baphuthi (the Phuti), Bafokeng, Bataung (the Tau), Bats'oeneng (the tso'ene) and the Cape (South) Nguni (Thembu). Sesotho (Southern Sotho) and English languages are both official. Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa and French are also spoken. Sesotho (Sotho, Southern Sotho or Southern Sesotho[1]) is a Bantu language spoken primarily in South Africa, where it is one of the 11 official languages, and in Lesotho, where it is the national language. ... Look up Appendix:Afrikaans and Dutch Swadesh lists in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Languages Zulu Religions Christian, African Traditional Religion Related ethnic groups Bantu Nguni Basotho Xhosa Swazi Matabele Khoisan The Zulu (South African English and isiZulu: amaZulu) are a South African ethnic group of an estimated 17-22 million people who live mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. ... The Xhosa (IPA ( )) people are speakers of Bantu languages living in south-east South Africa, and in the last two centuries throughout the southern and central-southern parts of the country. ...

Religion

Main article: Religion in Lesotho

Roman Catholics, the largest religious group, make up more than two-fifths of the population;^{[citation needed]} smaller groups include the Lesotho Evangelical Church which comprises more than one-fourth of the population;^{[citation needed]} Anglican, one-ninth;^{[citation needed]} and other Christian and tribal religions. The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The Evangelical Church or Evangelical Association was founded by Jacob Albright, a German-speaking Christian influenced by John Wesley and the Methodist movement. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ...

Education and literacy

An estimated 85 percent of the population 15 and over was literate, according to recent estimates. As such, Lesotho boasts one of the higher literacy rates in Africa. Although education is not compulsory, the Government of Lesotho is incrementally implementing a programme for free primary education. It was expected that the program would be fully in place by 2006.

HIV/AIDS

A house in Lesotho.

Malealea, situated in a remote part of Western Lesotho.

With a shortage of trained personnel and medical supplies, Lesotho is severely afflicted by HIV/AIDS. According to recent estimates, the prevalence is about 29%, one of the highest in the world.^{[citation needed]} The United Nations projects that this will rise to 36% within fifteen years,^{[citation needed]} resulting in a sharp drop in life expectancy. According to the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics, in 2001 life expectancy was estimated at forty-eight years for men and fifty-six for women.^{[citation needed]} Recent statistics estimate about thirty-seven years. Many children have lost parents. Traditionally lavish funerals leave survivors with another burden.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 703 KB) Photographer: Tjeerd Wiersma from Amsterdam, The Netherlands Description: Lesotho Taken on: 2004-11-14 07:10:44 Original source: Flickr. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 703 KB) Photographer: Tjeerd Wiersma from Amsterdam, The Netherlands Description: Lesotho Taken on: 2004-11-14 07:10:44 Original source: Flickr. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 545 KB) Photographer: Tjeerd Wiersma from Amsterdam, The Netherlands Title: Malealea Description: This town in Lesotho is called Malealea and it is a fantastic place. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 545 KB) Photographer: Tjeerd Wiersma from Amsterdam, The Netherlands Title: Malealea Description: This town in Lesotho is called Malealea and it is a fantastic place. ... Species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Human immunodeficiency virus 2 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). ... For other uses, see AIDS (disambiguation). ... In epidemiology, the prevalence of a disease in a statistical population is defined as the total number of cases of the disease in the population at a given time, or the total number of cases in the population, divided by the number of individuals in the population. ...

The government of Lesotho was initially slow to recognise the scale of the crisis, and its efforts to date in combating the spread of the disease have had limited success. In 1999, the government finalised its Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS, a diagram for addressing the education, prevention, counseling, and treatment needs of the populace. In late 2003, the government announced that it was forming a new National AIDS Commission to coordinate society-wide anti-AIDS activities. Also in 2003 the government hosted a SADC Extraordinary Summit on HIV/AIDS.

In 2005, programs for the distribution of anti-retrovirals were initiated. One such program is in Hlotse, Leribe at Tsepong Clinic which is part of Motebang Hospital. However, such programs remain limited in resources and have relatively few participants. Antiretroviral drugs are medications for the treatment of infection by the retrovirus HIV. Different antiretroviral drugs act at various stages of the HIV life cycle. ... Hlotse (also Leribe) is an important market town in Lesotho. ... Categories: Stub | Districts of Lesotho ...

The government has also started a proactive program called "Know your status" to test for HIV everyone in the country who wants to be tested. The program is funded by the Clinton Foundation and started in June of 2006. Bill Clinton and Microsoft chairman Bill Gates visited Lesotho in July 2006 to assess its fight against AIDS. Dubbed "The two Bills" by the media,^{[citation needed]} the two men visited the Mafeteng Hospital which is about 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of the capital, Maseru, to assess progress in public health endeavours funded by their respective foundations. Bill Clinton in Africa on behalf of the Clinton Foundation The William J. Clinton Foundation was established by former President of the United States Bill Clinton. ... William Jefferson Bill Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III[1] on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. ... Microsoft Corporation, (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation with global annual revenue of US$44. ... For other persons named Bill Gates, see Bill Gates (disambiguation). ... Mafeteng is the capital city of Mafeteng District in Lesotho. ... Maseru (also Masero) is the capital of Lesotho. ...

Taxation

The taxation system in Lesotho has undergone major revisions in recent years (in part due to the establishment of the Lesotho Revenue Authority in 2003 - www.lra.org.ls).

Personal income tax: Personal income tax is due on income above M14,000 per annum, with a tax credit of M3,500. The standard rate is 25%, with a 35% rate on income over a certain threshold.

Company / corporate tax: The headline rate is 25%, with a special 10% rate on income generated from manufacturing, and a 0% rate for income generated from exporting manufactures to outside the Southern African Customs Union (the so called extra-SACU rate). Capital depreciation allowances exist and are 25% for most types of capital asset.

Value Added Tax: VAT was introduced in 2003 at 14% (replacing a 10% Government Sales Tax). An upfront VAT refund facility is in operation that effectively means that no VAT is paid on inputs into goods destined for export (a big help to Lesotho's garment exporters).

Dividends paid to non-residents and interest are subject to a 25 percent withholding tax. Resident companies that pay dividends must make an advance income tax payment of 53.8 percent, unless the dividends are paid out of manufacturing income or out of dividends paid by another resident company. Manufacturing companies pay no tax on dividends. Repatriated income is subject to a 25 percent tax.

Foreign relations

The flag used by Lesotho until October 2006.

A gorge in Lesotho.

Main article: Foreign relations of Lesotho

Lesotho's geographic location makes it extremely vulnerable to political and economic developments in South Africa. It is a member of many regional economic organizations including the Southern African Development Community (SADC),^[2] and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).^[3] It is also active in the United Nations (UN), the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth, and many other international organizations.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File links Flag_of_Lesotho_(1987-2006). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Lesotho_(1987-2006). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 489 KB) Photographer: Tjeerd Wiersma from Amsterdam, The Netherlands Title: Gorge Description: This is what they call a gorge in Lesotho. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 489 KB) Photographer: Tjeerd Wiersma from Amsterdam, The Netherlands Title: Gorge Description: This is what they call a gorge in Lesotho. ... Lesothos geographic location makes it extremely vulnerable to political and economic developments in South Africa. ... SADC-only (yellow) and SADC+SACU members Headquarters Gaborone, Botswana Working languages Membership 15 African states Leaders - Secretary General Establishment - as the SADCC April 1, 1980 - as the SADC August 17, 1992 Website http://www. ... States of SACU // Origins The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) came into existence on December 11, 1969 with the signature of the Customs Union Agreement between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. ... UN redirects here. ... Anthem Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together [1] Administrative Centre Working languages Arabic English Spanish French Portuguese Swahili Membership 53 African states Leaders - Chairman Jakaya Kikwete - Jean Ping Establishment - as the OAU May 25, 1963 - as the African Union July 9, 2002 Area - Total 29,757,900 kmÂ² (1st1... Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (2005). ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2008. ...

South Africa, the United States, Libya, Ireland, China, Botswana and the European Union all currently retain resident diplomatic missions in Lesotho. The British High Commission closed in 2005 and the UK is now represented in Lesotho by its High Commissioner resident in South Africa.

His Excellency, Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso is the present High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the Court of St. James's. The UN is represented by a resident mission as well, including UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, FAO, WFP, and UNAIDS. The Court of St Jamess is the popular name of the royal court of the United Kingdom. ... The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the largest multilateral source of grant technical assistance in the world. ... UNICEF Logo The United Nations Childrens Fund or UNICEF (Arabic: ; French: ; Spanish: ) was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946. ... Look up who in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Possible meanings: Faro Airport (Portugal) Federation of Astrobiology Organizations Financial Aid Office Food and Agriculture Organization This page expands a three-character combination which might be any or all of: an abbreviation, an acronym, an initialism, a word in English, or a word in another language. ... The World Food Programme (WFP) is an agency of the United Nations which distributes food commodities to support development projects, to long-term refugees and displaced persons and as emergency food assistance in situations of natural and man-made disasters. ... UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is a United Nations program designed to coordinate the worldwide response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. ...

Historically, Lesotho has maintained generally close ties with Ireland,^{[citation needed]} but also with the United Kingdom (Wales in particular), Germany, the United States and other Western states. Although in 1990 it broke relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and re-established relations with Taiwan, it later restored ties with the PRC. This article is about the country. ...

Lesotho also recognises the State of Palestine.^{[citation needed]} In the past, it was a strong public supporter^{[citation needed]} of the end of apartheid in South Africa and granted a number of South African refugees political asylum during the apartheid era. ... A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ...

Culture

Traditional musical instruments include lekolulo, a kind of flute used by herding boys, setolo-tolo, played by men using their mouth, and the women's stringed thomo.

The national anthem of Lesotho is "Lesotho Fatše La Bo-ntata Rona," which literally translates into "Lesotho, Land Of Our Fathers."

The traditional style of housing in Lesotho is called a rondavel. A rondavel. ...

The Morija Arts & Cultural Festival is a prominent Sesotho arts and music festival. It is held annually in the historical town of Morija, where the first missionaries arrived in 1833. This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ...

See also: Music of Lesotho and List of writers from Lesotho

Lesotho is a Southern African nation surrounded entirely by South Africa. ... African Writers (by country): This is a list of prominent and notable literary figures from the African continent, listed by country, including poets, novelists, childrens writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country. ...

Human rights

This section does not cite any references or sources. (March 2007)
Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Lesotho is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. King Letsie III is the head of state but has no executive authority. In 2002, Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili was re-elected in what were judged to be free and fair elections. The government works to respect the civil and human rights of its citizens; however some serious abuses were reported in the past year. Police and security forces have been known to use excessive force and torture against detainees, often with impunity. The judiciary is subject to external influences and due process cannot be guaranteed. Lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial are problems. Child labor and discrimination against persons with disabilities and HIV/AIDS are other known abuses committed in the region. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ...

Assassinated leaders

Selometsi Baholo, Deputy Prime Minister
Makhele
Motuba
Seheri
Selala Sekhonyana
Sixishe

References

^ Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. August 2007. 2006 Lesotho Census of Population and Housing: Preliminary Results Report. Maseru: BoS. page 2, Table 2.1 & page 14, Table A4.)
^ Lesotho Country profile on the Southern African Development Community website
^ Southern African Customs Union website

External links

Lesotho Portal

Find more about Lesotho on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Dictionary definitions
	Textbooks
	Quotations
	Source texts
	Images and media
	News stories
	Learning resources

Government of Lesotho
Judgments of the Lesotho High Court
Lesotho Internet Cafe directory
Lesotho at the Open Directory Project
Lesotho travel guide from Wikitravel
Wikia has a wiki on this subject: Lesotho

v • d • e Topics on Lesotho

History	Archaeology · South African intervention in Lesotho

Geography	Towns · Trees

Government	Constitution · Parliament · Districts · Foreign relations · Military · Courts of Lesotho

Politics	Political parties (Alliance of Congress Parties · All Basotho Convention · Basotho Congress Party · Basotho National Party · Basutoland African Congress · Communist Party of Lesotho · Lesotho Congress for Democracy) · Elections

Monarchy	Basotho monarchs · Succession ·

Economy	Companies · Communications · Transport

Culture	Language · Cinema · Cuisine · Education · Literature · Modern Breakthrough · Music · Public holidays

Other	List of Basotho · Religion · Islam · Courts · Tourism Demographics ·

Geographic locale

[∑ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lt.html CIA World Factbook] Image File history File links Portal. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Wikibooks-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiversity-logo-Snorky. ... The Open Directory Project (ODP), also known as dmoz (from , its original domain name), is a multilingual open content directory of World Wide Web links owned by Netscape that is constructed and maintained by a community of volunteer editors. ... Wikitravel is a project to create an open content, complete, up-to-date, and reliable world-wide travel guide. ... Wikia (no official pronunciation[2]; originally Wikicities) is a selective wiki hosting service (or wiki farm) operated by Wikia, Inc. ... Lesotho (pronounced ) â€” had been populated by Khoi Khoi (Qhuaique) for possibly as long as 40,000 years. ... The South African Defense Force Invasion of Lesotho, codenamed Operation Boleas, was a military invasion launched by the South African government in 1998 into the neighbouring country of Lesotho to quell a suspected coup. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Lesotho. ... The Parliament of Lesotho consists of two chambers: The Senate (Upper Chamber) The National Assembly (Lower Chamber) External links Parliament of Lesotho - Official site Senate National Assembly This politics-related article is a stub. ... Lesotho is divided into 10 districts: Berea Butha-Buthe Leribe Mafeteng Maseru Mohales Hoek Mokhotlong Qachas Nek Quthing Thaba-Tseka. ... Lesothos geographic location makes it extremely vulnerable to political and economic developments in South Africa. ... The Lesotho Government is a modified form of constitutional monarchy. ... Political parties in Lesotho lists political parties in Lesotho. ... The Alliance of Congress Parties is an electoral alliance in Lesotho, consisting of the Lesotho Peoples Congress, the Basutoland African Congress, and the Basotho Congress Party. ... The All Basotho Convention (ABC) is a political party in Lesotho. ... The Basotho Congress Party is a pan-africanist and left-wing political party in Lesotho, led by Ntsukunyane Mphanya. ... The Basotho National Party is a conservative political party in Lesotho, founded in the 1959 as the Basutoland National Party by Leabua Jonathan. ... The Basutoland African Congress is a political party in Lesotho. ... The Communist Party of Lesotho (Mokhatio oa Makomonisi a Lesotho) was a political party in Lesotho, founded on May 5, 1962. ... Politics of Lesotho Categories: Politics stubs | Lesotho political parties ... Politics of Lesotho Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in Lesotho ... Royal Standard of the King of Lesotho This page lists Paramount Chiefs and Kings of Lesotho. ... This is a list of Basotho companies, or companies of Lesotho. ... Telephones - main lines in use: 22,200 (2000) Telephones - mobile cellular: 21,600 (2000) Telephone system: rudimentary system domestic: consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system; a cellular mobile telephone system is growing international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic... Music Lesotho is a Southern African nation surrounded entirely by South Africa. ... The Modern Break-Through (Danish: Det moderne Gennembrud) is the normal name of the strong movement of naturalism and debating liteature of Scandinavia 1870-90 which replaced romanticism. ... Lesotho is a Southern African nation surrounded entirely by South Africa. ... According to Adherents, the Muslim population of Lesotho in 2000 was 1000 or 0. ...

v • d • e

Countries of Africa

	West Africa This is an alphabetical list of African countries and dependencies. ... Image File history File links LocationWesternAfrica. ...	Benin · Burkina Faso · Cape Verde · Côte d'Ivoire · The Gambia · Ghana · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Liberia · Mali · Mauritania · Niger · Nigeria · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Togo
	North Africa Image File history File links LocationNorthernAfrica. ...	Algeria · Egypt¹ · Libya · Mauritania · Morocco · Sudan · Tunisia · Western Sahara
	Central Africa Image File history File links LocationCentralMiddleAfrica. ...	Angola · Burundi · Cameroon · Central African Republic · Chad · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Equatorial Guinea · Gabon · Republic of the Congo · Rwanda · São Tomé and Príncipe
	East Africa Image File history File links LocationEasternAfrica. ...	Burundi · Comoros · Djibouti · Eritrea · Ethiopia · Kenya · Madagascar · Malawi · Mauritius · Mozambique · Rwanda · Seychelles · Somalia · Tanzania · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe
	Southern Africa Image File history File links LocationSouthernAfrica. ...	Botswana · Lesotho · Namibia · South Africa · Swaziland
Dependencies		British Indian Ocean Territory (UK) · Mayotte (France) · Réunion (France) · St. Helena² (UK)
Unrecognized		Canary Islands (Spain) · Ceuta (Spain) · Madeira (Portugal) · Melilla (Spain) · Socotra (Yemen) · Puntland · Somaliland · Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
		¹ Partly in Asia. ² Includes the dependencies of Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. World map of dependent territories. ... For other uses, see Saint Helena (disambiguation). ... The list of unrecognized countries enumerates those geo-political entities which lack general diplomatic recognition, but wish to be recognized as sovereign states. ... This article is about the islands in the Atlantic Ocean. ... Capital Ceuta City Official language(s) Spanish Area â€“ Total â€“ % of Spain Ranked 28 kmÂ² Population â€“ Total (2006) â€“ % of Spain â€“ Density Ranked 75,861 2,709. ... For other uses, see Madeira (disambiguation). ... Capital Official language(s) Spanish Area â€“ Total â€“ % of Spain Ranked 20 kmÂ² Population â€“ Total (2006) â€“ % of Spain â€“ Density Ranked 66,871 3,343. ... Map of the Socotra archipelago Socotra or Soqotra (Arabic Ø³Ù‚Ø·Ø±Ù‰ ; ) is a small archipelago of four islands and islets in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Horm Africa some 350 km south of the Arabian peninsula. ... Motto None Anthem Puntland Somali National Anthem Capital Garowe (Administrative), Bosaso (Commercial) Largest city Bosaso Official languages Somali and Arabic Government - President Mohamud Muse Hersi - Vice-President Hassan Dahir Mohamud Autonomy Inside Somalia - Declared 1998 - Recognition Area - Total 212,510 km kmÂ² (84th) n/a sq mi - Water (%) Negl. ... For other territories formerly called Somaliland, see Somaliland (disambiguation). ... Motto: ØØ±ÙŠØ© Ø¯ÙŠÙ…Ù‚Ø±Ø§Ø·ÙŠØ© ÙˆØØ¯Ø© (Arabic) Liberty, Democracy, Unity Anthem: YÄbaniy Es-SaharÄ listen This map indicates the territory claimed by the SADR, viz. ... This is a list of countries spanning more than one continent. ... Anthem: God Save the Queen Capital Georgetown Largest city Georgetown Official languages English Government Dependency of St. ... Motto Our faith is our strength Anthem God Save the Queen Capital (and largest city) Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Official languages English Government Dependency of St. ...

International membership

v • d • e Southern African Customs Union (SACU)

South Africa · Botswana · Lesotho · Swaziland · Namibia

v • d • e Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Angola · Botswana · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Lesotho · Madagascar · Malawi · Mauritius · Mozambique · Namibia · Seychelles · South Africa · Swaziland · Tanzania · Zambia · Zimbabwe

v • d • e African Union (AU)

Algeria · Angola · Benin · Botswana · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cameroon · Cape Verde · Central African Republic · Chad · Comoros · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Republic of the Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Egypt · Eritrea · Ethiopia · Equatorial Guinea · Gabon · The Gambia · Ghana · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Libya · Madagascar · Malawi · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Mozambique · Namibia · Niger · Nigeria · Rwanda · Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Somalia · South Africa · Sudan · Swaziland · Tanzania · Togo · Tunisia · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe

v • d • e

Commonwealth of Nations

Sovereign states

Antigua and Barbuda · Australia · Bahamas · Bangladesh · Barbados · Belize · Botswana · Brunei · Cameroon · Canada · Cyprus · Dominica · Fiji · The Gambia · Ghana · Grenada · Guyana · India · Jamaica · Kenya · Kiribati · Lesotho · Malawi · Malaysia · Maldives · Malta · Mauritius · Mozambique · Namibia · Nauru · New Zealand · Nigeria · Pakistan · Papua New Guinea · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Samoa · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Singapore · Solomon Islands · South Africa · Sri Lanka · Swaziland · Tanzania · Tonga · Trinidad and Tobago · Tuvalu · Uganda · United Kingdom · Vanuatu · Zambia States of SACU // Origins The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) came into existence on December 11, 1969 with the signature of the Customs Union Agreement between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. ... SADC-only (yellow) and SADC+SACU members Headquarters Gaborone, Botswana Working languages Membership 15 African states Leaders - Secretary General Establishment - as the SADCC April 1, 1980 - as the SADC August 17, 1992 Website http://www. ... Motto: Justice â€“ Paix â€“ Travail(French) Justice â€“ Peace â€“ Work Anthem: Debout Congolais Capital (and largest city) Kinshasaa Official languages French Recognised regional languages Lingala, Kongo/Kituba, Swahili, Tshiluba Demonym Congolese Government Semi-Presidential Republic - President Joseph Kabila - Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga Independence - from Belgium June 30, 1960 Area - Total 2,344... This article is about the country on the southern tip of the African continent. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_SADC.svg Summary Made by self based on image at FOTW and logo at the SADC (no tracing). ... Anthem Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together [1] Administrative Centre Working languages Arabic English Spanish French Portuguese Swahili Membership 53 African states Leaders - Chairman Jakaya Kikwete - Jean Ping Establishment - as the OAU May 25, 1963 - as the African Union July 9, 2002 Area - Total 29,757,900 kmÂ² (1st1... Motto: UnitÃ©, ProgrÃ¨s, Justice(French) Unity, Progress, Justice Anthem: Une Seule Nuit(French) One Single Night Capital (and largest city) Ouagadougou Official languages French Demonym BurkinabÃ© Government Semi-presidential republic - President Blaise CompaorÃ© - Prime Minister Tertius Zongo Independence from France - Date August 5, 1960 Area - Total 274,000 km... For the surface feature on Mars, see Cape Verde (Mars). ... Motto UnitÃ©, DignitÃ©, Travail(French) Unity, Dignity, Work Anthem La Renaissance(French) E Zingo(Sango) Capital (and largest city) Bangui Official languages Sango, French Government Republic - President FranÃ§ois BozizÃ© - Prime Minister Ã‰lie DotÃ© Independence from France - Date August 13, 1960 Area - Total 622,984 kmÂ² (43rd) 240,534 sq... Motto: Justice â€“ Paix â€“ Travail(French) Justice â€“ Peace â€“ Work Anthem: Debout Congolais Capital (and largest city) Kinshasaa Official languages French Recognised regional languages Lingala, Kongo/Kituba, Swahili, Tshiluba Demonym Congolese Government Semi-Presidential Republic - President Joseph Kabila - Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga Independence - from Belgium June 30, 1960 Area - Total 2,344... Motto UnitÃ©, Travail, ProgrÃ¨s(French) Unity, Work, Progress Anthem La Congolaise Capital (and largest city) Brazzaville Official languages French Government Republic - President Denis Sassou Nguesso - Prime Minister Isidore Mvouba Independence from France - Date 15 August 1960 Area - Total 342,000 kmÂ² (64th) 132,047 sq mi - Water (%) 3. ... Motto Unity, Discipline and Labour(translation) Anthem LAbidjanaise Capital Yamoussoukro (de jure) Abidjan (de facto) Largest city Abidjan Official languages French Demonym Ivorian Government Republic - President Laurent Gbagbo[1] - Prime Minister Guillaume Soro[1] Independence from France - Date August 7, 1960 Area - Total 322,460 kmÂ² (68th) 124,502... Motto Unidad, Paz, Justicia(Spanish) Unity, Peace, Justice Anthem Caminemos pisando la senda Capital (and largest city) Malabo Official languages Spanish, Portuguese[1], French Government Republic - President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo - Prime Minister Ricardo Mangue Obama Nfubea Independence - from Spain October 12, 1968 Area - Total 28,051 kmÂ² (144th) 10... For the river, see Gambia River. ... Motto: ØØ±ÙŠØ© Ø¯ÙŠÙ…Ù‚Ø±Ø§Ø·ÙŠØ© ÙˆØØ¯Ø© (Arabic) Liberty, Democracy, Unity Anthem: YÄbaniy Es-SaharÄ listen This map indicates the territory claimed by the SADR, viz. ... Anthem: IndependÃªncia total Capital (and largest city) SÃ£o TomÃ© Official languages Portuguese Demonym Santomean Government Republic - President Fradique de Menezes - Prime Minister TomÃ© Vera Cruz Independence from Portugal - Date 12 July 1975 Area - Total 964 kmÂ² (183rd) 372 sq mi - Water (%) 0 Population - 2005 estimate 157,000 (188th... Motto: Unity - Freedom - Justice Anthem: High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free Capital Freetown (1,070,200) , Largest city Freetown Official languages English Demonym Sierra Leonean, Sierra Leonian Government Constitutional republic - President Ernest Bai Koroma - Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana Independence - from the United Kingdom April 27, 1961 - Republic... This article is about the country on the southern tip of the African continent. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_African_Union. ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2008. ... â€œSovereignâ€ redirects here. ... [--168. ...

Dependencies

Australia	Ashmore and Cartier Islands · Australian Antarctic Territory · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · Coral Sea Islands · Heard Island and McDonald Islands · Norfolk Island Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations. ... World map of dependent territories. ... The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is the part of Antarctica claimed by Australia. ...

New Zealand	Cook Islands · Niue · Ross Dependency · Tokelau Political status Dependency of New Zealand Governor Anand Satyanand Area â€“ Total 450 000 kmÂ² (174 000 miÂ²) Population Scott Base: 10-80 seasonally McMurdo Station: 200-1000 seasonally Currency New Zealand dollar The Ross Dependency comprises an area of Antarctica (and other land masses in the Southern Ocean) claimed by...

United Kingdom	Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Anguilla · Bermuda · British Antarctic Territory · British Indian Ocean Territory · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Falkland Islands · Gibraltar · Guernsey · Isle of Man · Jersey · Montserrat · Pitcairn Islands · St. Helena (including Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha) · South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands · Turks and Caicos Islands Anthem God Save the Queen Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Occupied Areas) Sovereign Base Areas indicated in pink. ... Motto: Research and Discovery Anthem: God Save the Queen Status British overseas territory Official language(s) - Commissioner Tony Crombie Administrator Michael Richardson Area 1,395,000 kmÂ² Population c. ... Anthem: God Save the Queen Capital Georgetown Largest city Georgetown Official languages English Government Dependency of St. ... Motto Our faith is our strength Anthem God Save the Queen Capital (and largest city) Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Official languages English Government Dependency of St. ... Motto Leo Terram Propriam Protegat(Latin) Let the Lion protect his own land or May the Lion protect his own land Anthem God Save the Queen Capital Grytviken (King Edward Point) Official languages English Government British overseas territory - Head of State Queen Elizabeth II - Commissioner Alan Huckle Area - Total 3...

v • d • e Monarchies

Absolute monarchies	Brunei · Oman · Saudi Arabia · Swaziland · Vatican

Constitutional monarchies	Antigua and Barbuda^c · Australia^c · Andorra · Bahamas^c · Bahrain · Barbados^c · Belize^c · Belgium · Bhutan · Cambodia · Canada^c · Denmark · Grenada^c · Jamaica^c · Japan^j · Jordan · Kuwait · Liechtenstein · Lesotho · Luxembourg · Malaysia · Monaco · Netherlands · Morocco · Nepalⁿ · New Zealand^c · Norway · Papua New Guinea^c · Qatar^q · Spain · Saint Kitts and Nevis^c · Saint Lucia^c · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines^c · Solomon Islands^c · Sweden · Thailand · Tonga · Tuvalu^c · United Arab Emirates^u · United Kingdom^c

Elective monarchies	Andorra · Cambodia · Kuwait · Malaysia · Swaziland · United Arab Emirates^u · Vatican

Subnational monarchies	Alo (Wallis and Futuna) · Ankole (Uganda) · Ashanti (Ghana) · Buganda (Uganda) · Bunyoro (Uganda) · Busoga (Uganda) · Dagbon (Ghana) · Māori (New Zealand) · Sigave (Wallis and Futuna) · Tibet (China) · Toro (Uganda) · Uvea (Wallis and Futuna) · Yogyakarta (Indonesia) · Zululand (South Africa)

(c) All 16 Commonwealth realms share one monarch represented, except for the U.K., by a Governor-General · (j) Monarch debatable as being true Head of State. · (n) Currently under suspension. · (q) Technically a constitutional monarchy but displays effective properties of an absolute monarchy. (u) Uses the non-monarchical title President.

For the documentary series, see Monarchy (TV series). ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box: Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government where the monarch has the power to rule his or her land or country and its citizens freely, with no laws or legally-organized direct opposition in force. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box: A constitutional monarchy or limited monarchy is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges an elected or hereditary monarch as head of state, as opposed to an absolute monarchy, where the monarch is not... [--168. ... An elective monarchy is a monarchy ruled by a someone who is elected by a group. ... For the documentary series, see Monarchy (TV series). ... Alo, also known unofficially as Tu`a, is one of the three official chiefdoms of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna, which encompasses the eastern two thirds (53 kmÂ² out of 83 kmÂ²) of Futuna Island, and mostly uninhabited Alofi Island (32 kmÂ², pop. ... Ankole, originally known as Nkore, is one of the four traditional kingdoms of Uganda. ... For other uses, see Ashanti (disambiguation). ... The flag of Buganda Buganda is the kingdom of the 52 clans of the Baganda people, the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda. ... Bunyoro flag The current Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara and its districts Bunyoro is a region of Uganda, and from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century one of the most powerful kingdoms of East Africa. ... The flag of Busoga Kingdom of Busoga and its districts Busoga is the kingdom of the 11 principalities of the Basoga people, one of the five traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda. ... This article is about the MÄori people of New Zealand. ... Sigave is one of the three official chiefdoms of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna, which is located on the western part of Futuna Island. ... This article is about the Dalai Lama lineage. ... Original Kingdom of Toro and its districts Kingdom of Toro since 1993 Toro is one of the four traditional kingdoms located within the borders of Uganda. ... For the Pacific island, see Wallis Island. ... Yogyakarta Sultanate or Kesultanan Yogyakarta is a monarchy in the province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. ... Zululand was the Zulu-dominated area of what is now northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. ... The Commonwealth Realms, shown in pink A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the sixteen sovereign states within the Commonwealth of Nations that recognise Elizabeth II as their respective monarch. ... Governor-General (or Governor General) is a term used both historically and currently to designate the appointed representative of a head of state or their government for a particular territory, historically in a colonial context, but no longer necessarily in that form. ...

Hidden categories: Articles lacking sources from April 2008 | All articles lacking sources | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since October 2007 | Articles with unsourced statements since March 2007 | Articles needing additional references from March 2007

Results from FactBites:

Help Lesotho - Home (113 words)
	Donor contact information is never shared or sold by Help Lesotho but is used to send occasional mailings and Help Lesotho program updates to our valued donors.
	Creating a future with those who are left!
	The tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho, entirely surrounded by South Africa, has the 3rd highest incidence of HIV/AIDS in the world, leaving more that 1/3 of the children in Lesotho are orphaned and many more vulnerable.

Lesotho - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2555 words)
	The present Lesotho emerged as a single polity (state) under a Paramount chief in 1822; it was recognized by Britain on 13 December 1843.
	Lesotho's economy is based on exports of water and electricity sold to South Africa, manufacturing, agriculture, livestock, and to some extent the earnings of laborers employed in South Africa.
	Lesotho is in the process or formulating an Action Programme on the Elmination of Child Labour, which is expected to be adopted in the period 2006-2007.

More results at FactBites »

COMMENTARY

Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.

Contents