Lesotho

Lesotho, officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country enclaved within South Africa. It is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation. Covering an area of approximately 30,355 square kilometers, Lesotho has a population of about 2.1 million people as of 2023. The capital and largest city is Maseru. The official languages are Sesotho and English. Lesotho operates as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The economy is based on agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, and mining, with a significant portion of the population engaged in subsistence farming. Lesotho is known for its mountainous terrain, rich cultural heritage, and as a source of water for South Africa. The country is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community.