Simultaneously performs the functions administrative district, which has the same name. Moreover, it is the largest city African state, it acquired capital status in 1966, when another country on the Black Continent gained independence. The name of the capital is translated from the local Sesotho language as “place, territory of red sandstone.” Indeed, the ground in the surrounding area has an unusual reddish-brick hue.
Yesterday and today
The founder of the city is considered to be one of the local kings, Moshoeshoe I, and a significant event took place back in 1869. True, one could only dream of independence back then, since the territories were under protectorate. Maseru was given the role of capital of the protectorate.
The population increased significantly when the state went independent. Currently, every tenth resident of Lesotho lives in the capital.
Attractions Maseru
Maseru certainly can't compare to many African capitals by the number of historical monuments and attractions. But even here you can find unusual natural objects, interesting architectural structures, artifacts related to the history of these lands.
Tourists who have already visited the capital of Lesotho say that the most beautiful photos turn out to be mountain peak Thaba-Bosiu. This nature education 1804 meters high, it has a peculiar shape - its top is flat-cut. The area of the plateau is 2 square meters. km.
Locals They say that King Moshoesho was the first to discover the unique place; he made it a kind of refuge for himself and his Basotho people. During the excursion you can learn many facts about the life of the first inhabitants of the mountain, see ancient ruins and the final resting place of the inhabitants.
In tourist brochures you can find descriptions of unusual architectural structures Maseru:
- the Royal Palace, reminiscent of a fashionable villa;
- Quilone Towers, shaped like the traditional headdress of the Basotho people;
- Citadels of King Moshoesho;
- Basotho Crafts Centre.
Last appearance resembles the traditional huts of the country's indigenous inhabitants; it is here that the national flavor is most fully felt. You can have an interesting time at the crafts center and buy souvenirs, although tourists note that prices are much higher than in the city.
(English Lesotho, Sesotho Lesotho), official name The Kingdom of Lesotho (eng. Kingdom of Lesotho, Sesotho Muso oa Lesotho) is a state in South Africa, an enclave completely surrounded by territory Republic of South Africa. With a territory of 30,355 km², it is one of the smallest states in Africa. Lesotho is also the only country in the world where no part of it is located below 1400m above sea level. Before independence in 1966, Basutoland was a British protectorate. The capital of the country is the city of Maseru.
Lesotho is located in South Africa between 28 and 31° south latitude and between 27 and 30° east longitude. Its territory is completely surrounded by the territory of South Africa (thus Lesotho, along with the Vatican and San Marino, is one of the three independent states in the world, surrounded by the territory of only one country). In the east, Lesotho borders with the province of KwaZulu-Natal, in the south with the Eastern Cape province, in the west and north with the province Free State. Total length state border is 909 km.
The length of the country in the direction from north-northeast to south-southwest is 248 km, from east-southeast to west-northwest 181 km. The country's territory is 30,355 km², of which only a small area is in water surface. The country is landlocked; the nearest port is Durban.
Climate
The climate of the country is determined by its altitude, therefore the Atlantic and Indian Oceans have minor impacts and Lesotho is affected subtropical zone high pressure, and therefore anticyclones predominate in the circulation. Lesotho's climate is relatively cold - although summer temperatures in Maseru and the valleys reach 30°C, winters can be frosty and temperatures range from -7°C in the lowlands to -18°C in the mountains. Between May and September the mountainous areas are covered with snow. On average, the beginning and end of frosts vary from May 18 - September 6 in lower areas to February 16 - November 19 in highlands, middle period frost is 111 in the plains and 276 in the highlands.
The amount of precipitation varies greatly depending on the altitude of the area and ranges from 500 mm to 1200 mm. The main amount of precipitation falls in the warm period of the year from October to April, the maximum - from December to February, when the monthly precipitation is 100 mm. The least precipitation is observed in June and is less than 15 mm per month. The average monthly evaporation is 60-70 mm in June-July and 175-225 mm in December-January, the average annual evaporation ranges from 1400 mm in mountainous areas to 1600 in plains. In general, evaporation exceeds precipitation.
The average monthly wind speed is 1.4 m/s in October and 8 m/s in August, the wind direction generally varies from 200° to 300°. During a summer thunderstorm, wind speeds sometimes reach 20 m/s. The average annual sunshine duration is 3,211 hours on the plains.
Relief
The most low point Lesotho is located at the confluence of the Orange and Makhaleng rivers (1,400 m), the highest point is Mount Thabana-Ntlenyana (3,482 m). The country can be divided into three zones depending on the altitude: a plateau with a height of about 1500 m in the form of a narrow strip in the west of the country (the area is 5200 km² or 17% of the country's territory), foothills with a height of 2000-2300 m (15% of the country's territory) and highlands in the east of the country.
The Drakensberg Mountains form the eastern and southeastern borders of the country.
Minerals
The country's subsoil contains reserves of diamonds, quartz, uranium, and coal.
Flora and fauna
The sparse vegetation of the highlands below gives way to lush alpine meadows, and even lower - to the steppe with islands of thorny acacia.
The fauna is poor; Large animals include black buffaloes and small antelopes.
Story
The early population of Lesotho consisted of gatherers and hunters who spoke Khoisan languages. The Bantu tribes who came from the north in the 17th century displaced indigenous people to the Kalahari Desert.
In the 1820s and 30s, the power of the leader Moshweshwe I was strengthened in Lesotho, under whose protection those Sotho who fled from the growing power of the Zulus led by Shaka during the so-called Mfekane flocked.
In the late 1830s, clashes between the Suto and Boer settlers began. In 1842, Mosheshwe I appealed to the British authorities for protection. As a result, in October 1843, the governor of the Cape Colony signed an agreement according to which Mosheshwe I was recognized as a “friend and ally” of the British.
In 1848, Lesotho became a British protectorate with the name Basutoland (from Sesotho basotho the Sotho people (pronounced roughly as )). In 1852, Mosheshoe I's army suddenly expelled the British military posts, and the 1848 protectorate agreement was annulled by the British.
In 1865, the Boers began a war against the Sotho and conquered almost all of their lands. The authorities of the Cape Colony agreed to provide military assistance Sotho, and in 1868 Basutoland again became a protectorate.
From August 11, 1871 to March 18, 1884, Lesotho was annexed to the British Cape Province. On March 18, 1884, Basutoland again received protectorate status.
Basutoland gained autonomy on April 30, 1965, and independence under the name Kingdom of Lesotho on October 4, 1966.
In January 1970, the ruling Basotho National Party (BNP) lost the elections. Prime Minister Leabua-Jonathan refused to hand over power to the victorious Basotho Congress Party (BCP), assumed the status of "Tono-kholo" (the Sesotho language roughly means prime minister), and arrested BCP leaders.
BCP immediately began to prepare resistance. The Lesotho Liberation Army (LLA) was organized and trained in Libya, with assistance also provided by Tanzania and Maoist organizations.
In 1978 it flared up guerrilla warfare. In 1980, BCP leader Ntsu Mokhehle defected to the South African apartheid regime. In 1980 the government carried out mass repression against BCP supporters.
The BNP ruled until January 1986, when it was ousted by a military coup. The Minister of War transferred exclusive powers to King Moshoeshoe II, who had previously played only a ceremonial role. In 1987, as a result of a conflict with the army, the king fled the country, and his son Letsie III was proclaimed the new king.
The next military coup took place in 1991, when the head of the military junta, Justin Metsing-Lekhanya, was removed and General Elias Piswana-Ramaema came to power, holding power until democratic elections in 1993, which were won by the BCP. Former king Moshoeshoe II was able to return from exile as an ordinary citizen. King Letsie III tried to convince the government to appoint his father Moshoeshoe II as head of state, but it rejected the claim.
In August 1994, King Letsie III, with the support of the military, carried out a coup and removed the BCP government from power. The new government did not receive full international recognition. The SADC member countries negotiated and achieved the return of the BCP government on the condition that the King Father lead the country. In 1996, after lengthy negotiations, the BCP came back to power and the king returned in 1995, but in 1996 Moshoeshoe died in a car accident and the throne returned to his son Letsie III. In 1997, the BCP party split.
In 1997, Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle created new batch The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) was supported by parliament and formed a new government. LCD won the elections in 1998, led by Pakalitha Mosisili. Although the elections were held under international supervision and were declared legitimate, the opposition refused to recognize them.
In August 1998, the opposition began to stage mass protests and demonstrations, and clashes arose, the details of which are not entirely clear and the coverage of which is causing much controversy even in South Africa. In September, international SADC forces decided to storm the capital. Botswana's troops were received well by the population, but the presence of South African troops caused resentment and fighting broke out. The conflict escalated when South African troops raised the South African flag over the royal palace. In 1999, international SADC forces left the country, leaving Maseru in ruins; Other cities were also destroyed. Many South African and Lesotho soldiers died in the battles.
In May 2002, the country held new elections under an improved system involving proportional elections with the participation of the opposition in the Assembly. The LCD Party won again with 54% of the votes, but the opposition parties also won seats in the Assembly. This was Lesotho's first election and took place almost without incident.
Now the government is trying to stabilize the situation and political structure countries, relying on foreign experience. Prime Minister Pakalita Mosisili has adopted a program to combat AIDS, which affects a large part of the population.
Political structure
Political system
Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy. The head of government is the prime minister. The king performs ceremonial functions.
Executive branch
According to the constitution, the leader of the party with the most seats in parliament automatically becomes prime minister.
Legislature
Bicameral Parliament - Senate (33 seats: 22 tribal leaders and 11 appointed by the ruling party) and Assembly (120 deputies elected by the population for a 5-year term).
Political parties
The Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) party has a majority of seats (61 out of 120) in the National Assembly, in addition to nine other parties represented in the Congress.
Armed forces
5000 soldiers and gendarmes.
Administrative divisions of Lesotho.
Lesotho is divided into 10 districts governed by secretaries, the capital being called camptown.
Districts are divided into wards.
Population
Population: 2.1 million (estimated as of July 2009).
Annual growth - 0.1% ( high mortality rate- infant and AIDS, emigration from the country).
Birth rate - 24.1 per 1000 (fertility - 3.1 births per woman)
Mortality - 22.2 per 1000
Emigration - 0.8 per 1000
Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - 23.2% (3rd highest level in the world)
Average life expectancy is 41 years for men, 39 years for women
Urban population - 25%
Ethnic composition- Soto 99.7%, Europeans and Asians 0.3%.
Languages: Sotho and English (official).
Literacy - 74% men, 94% women (2003 estimate).
Religions - Christians 80%, aboriginal cults 20%.
Lesotho is one of the centers of labor migration (mainly to neighboring South Africa) on the continent.
Recent estimates put the HIV infection rate in Lesotho at 29%, and the UN predicts it will rise to 36% in 15 years, leading to a sharp decline in life expectancy. In 2001, life expectancy was 48 years for men and 56 for women. According to the latest statistics, life expectancy has dropped to 37 years.
Although the government recognized the danger and began to take action as early as 1999, success can be considered very limited.
In June 2006, the Clinton Foundation testing program for the entire population began, the program was supported by Bill Clinton and Bill Gates.
Economy
Lesotho exports water and electricity to South Africa, manufacturing and agriculture are widespread. Many Lesotho residents work in South Africa. Lesotho exports diamonds, wool, and clothing. Levis has a jeans manufacturing unit in Lesotho. The economy of Lesotho is integrated with the economy of South Africa. Seasonal work for 3-9 months a year in mines in South Africa is common. More than half of the population lives from agriculture.
Lesotho receives economic assistance, which is provided, in particular, by the USA, the World Bank, Ireland, Great Britain, the European Union, and Germany.
A short section of railway connects Lesotho with South Africa.
The countries of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) - Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho - are united into a single market, and all these countries, except Botswana, have a single currency.
Geography
Basuto Plateau (altitudes 2300-3000 m above sea level, highest point- Mount Thabana-Ntlenyana, 3482 m), on which the main part of the country is located, surrounded on three sides by spurs Drakensberg Mountains. West Side Lesotho is a treeless hilly plateau, and mountain ranges in the east they end with an almost vertical basalt wall of the Great Escarpment.
Climate and weather
Despite the proximity of the ocean, the climate here is continental and very harsh for these latitudes. Lesotho is the only African country in which almost the entire territory is covered in winter. a short time is covered with snow, and even snow storms occur in the mountains. In the valleys in summer the air warms up to 34 °C, and in the winter in the mountains it cools down to -16 °C, although the average temperatures in January are 25 °C and in July 15 °C. The annual amount of precipitation, falling mainly in summer, is 730 mm. Large rivers of the African south - the Orange River and its tributary the Caledon - originate in Lesotho. Streams running from the mountains abound with high (up to 183 m) waterfalls.
Flora and fauna
The sparse vegetation of the highlands gives way to lush alpine meadows, and in the foothills - steppe with islands of acacias. There are almost no forests in the country.
Animal world It is poor; large animals include black buffaloes and small antelopes. The population (about 2.2 million people) is mainly made up of Basotho people, two-thirds of whom are Christians and a third adhere to traditional local beliefs.
Story
The early population of Lesotho consisted of gatherers and hunters who spoke Khoisan languages. The Bantu who came later displaced the indigenous population.
In the 20s and 30s years XIX century, the power of King Moshweshwe I was strengthened on the territory of Lesotho, under whose protection those Sotho who fled from the growing power of the Zulu led by Shaka flocked during the so-called Mfekane. Lesotho was recognized by Britain on December 13, 1843.
From August 11, 1871 to March 18, 1884, Lesotho was annexed to the British Cape Province. On March 18, 1884, Basutoland again received the status of a separate colony.
Basutoland gained autonomy on April 30, 1965, and independence under the name Lesotho on October 4, 1966.
In January 1970, the ruling Basotho National Party (BNP) lost the elections. Prime Minister Leabua-Jonathan refused to hand over power to the victorious Basotho Congress Party (BCP), assumed the status of "Tono-kholo" (the Sesotho language roughly means prime minister), and arrested BCP leaders.
BCP immediately began to prepare resistance. The Lesotho Liberation Army (LLA) was organized and trained in Libya, with assistance also provided by Tanzania and Maoist organizations.
In 1978, guerrilla warfare broke out. In 1980, BCP leader Ntsu Mokhehle defected to the South African apartheid regime. In 1980, the government carried out massive repressions against BCP supporters.
The BNP ruled until January 1986, when it was ousted by a military coup. The Minister of War transferred exclusive powers to King Moshoeshoe II, who had previously played only a ceremonial role. In 1987, as a result of a conflict with the army, the king fled the country, and his son Letsie III was proclaimed the new king.
The next military coup occurred in 1991, when the head of the military junta, Justin Metsing-Lekhanya, was removed and General Elias Piswana-Ramaema came to power, holding power until democratic elections in 1993, which were won by the BCP. Former King Moshoeshoe II was able to return from exile as an ordinary citizen. King Letsie III tried to convince the government to appoint his father Moshoeshoe II as head of state, but it rejected the claim.
In August 1994, King Letsie III, supported by the military, carried out a coup and removed the BCP government from power. The new government did not receive full international recognition. The SADC member countries negotiated and achieved the return of the BCP government on the condition that the King Father lead the country. In 1996, after lengthy negotiations, the BCP party returned to power and the king returned in 1995, but in 1996 Moshoeshoe died in a car accident and the throne returned to his son Letsie III. In 1997, the BCP party split.
In 1997, Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle created a new party, the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), was supported by parliament and formed a new government. LCD won the elections in 1998, led by Pakalitha Mosisili. Although the elections were held under international supervision and were declared legitimate, the opposition refused to recognize them.
In August 1998, the opposition began to stage mass protests and demonstrations, and clashes arose, the details of which are not entirely clear and the coverage of which is causing much controversy even in South Africa. In September, international SADC forces decided to storm the capital. Botswana's troops were received well by the population, but the presence of South African troops caused resentment and fighting broke out. The conflict escalated when South African troops raised the South African flag over the royal palace. In 1999, international SADC forces left the country, leaving Maseru in ruins; Other cities were also destroyed. Many South African and Lesotho soldiers died in the battles.
In May 2002, the country held new elections under an improved system involving proportional elections with the participation of the opposition in the Assembly. The LCD Party won again with 54% of the votes, but the opposition parties also won seats in the Assembly. This was Lesotho's first election and took place almost without incident.
Now the government is trying to stabilize the situation and political structure of the country, relying on foreign experience. Prime Minister Pakalita Mosisili has adopted a program to combat AIDS, which affects a large part of the population.
Economy
Lesotho exports water and electricity to South Africa, manufacturing and agriculture are widespread. Many Lesotho residents work in South Africa. Lesotho exports diamonds, wool, and clothing. In Lesotho there is a branch of the Levi's company for the production of jeans. The economy of Lesotho is integrated with the economy of South Africa. Seasonal work for 3-9 months a year in mines in South Africa is common. More than half of the population lives in agriculture.
Lesotho receives economic assistance provided, in particular, by the United States, the World Bank, Ireland, Great Britain, the European Union, and Germany.
A short section of railway connects Lesotho with South Africa.
The countries of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) - Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho - are united into a single market, and all these countries, except Botswana, have a single currency.
Safety
Recent estimates put the AIDS rate in Lesotho at 29%, and the UN predicts it will rise to 36% in 15 years, leading to a sharp decline in life expectancy. In 2001, life expectancy was 48 years for men and 56 years for women. According to the latest statistics, life expectancy has dropped to 37 years.
Although the government recognized the danger and began to take action as early as 1999, success can be considered very limited.
In June 2006, the Clinton Foundation testing program for the entire population began, the program was supported by Bill Clinton and Bill Gates.
LESOTHO
Kingdom of Lesotho
Square: 30.3 thousand km 2.
Population size: 2.2 million people (1998).
Official language:
Sesotho and English.
Capital: Maseru (65 thousand inhabitants, 1998).
Public Holiday:
Independence Day (October 4, since 1966).
Currency unit: loti.
Member of the UN since 1966, OAU, etc.
The state is located in southern Africa. Surrounded on all sides by South African territory. It has no access to the sea. The only country in Africa where snow falls every year.
The transport network is poorly developed. The length of roads is 900 km, of which just over 100 km are paved. Donkeys and horses remain the only means of transport in many mountainous areas. Railway line 1 km links Maseru with railways SOUTH AFRICA. The airport in Maseru provides connections with major cities SOUTH AFRICA.
The Basotho people make up more than 90% of the population. The only significant ethnic minority- Zulu. The birth rate is high - 4%, the death rate - 1%. Only 2/3 of the working population is employed in the country's economy. Many adult Basotho men work 6 to 9 months a year in mines and other enterprises in South Africa. As a rule, they are hired for the heaviest and low paid jobs. Lesotho ranks one of the first in Africa for adult literacy (80%). There are more than 1,200 schools in the country, 10 technical and teacher training colleges, 1 university. Mandatory free elementary education(7 classes). The healthcare system has 15 hospitals and more than 150 clinics. There is an acute shortage of qualified medical personnel - only 140 doctors with higher education.
Peculiarities material culture Basotho are visible in their clothes, utensils, and dwellings. National clothes- a wool blanket and a hat shaped like a hut. The houses - round and rectangular - are built of stone and painted with geometric patterns. Ceramic and wooden dishes and clothing are decorated with ornaments. Beads are used to make necklaces, bracelets and other women's jewelry. Diverse musical folklore- special songs for dances, ritual ceremonies, labor processes. Diverse and musical instruments- strings, percussion, wind, made from bamboo, pumpkin, fibrous plants. Modern art combines African traditions with the influence of European painting. Rock paintings made by the Bushmen thousands of years ago are preserved in the mountains. In the Sesotho language there is fiction, some works have been translated into European languages.
The capital Maseru is located at an altitude of about 1500 m. The trade and transport center of the city is built up modern houses and shops. There are two large hotels, administrative buildings and four churches. After the 1998 riots, the main shopping streets burned out like a conflagration and have yet to be rebuilt. Leribe (30 thousand inhabitants) is the center of the district of the same name, where the sewing and food industry. Roma (15 thousand inhabitants) is a city where a university and a large printing house are located.
Tourists are attracted by picturesque canyons, waterfalls, fascinating fishing. More than 250 thousand foreigners visit the country every year.
Lesotho - Mountain country. Most of it is a plateau, bordered in the east by the Drakensberg Mountains, up to 3482 m high, breaking off like a wall on the border with South Africa - the so-called Great Escarpment. In the north, the plateau is cut by the Maluti ridge and spurs of the Drakensberg Mountains, and in the west it gradually descends towards wide river valleys. The climate is continental and is characterized by severity, which is not typical for these latitudes. Average temperatures in January are +25° C, in July +15° C. In winter, there are frosts at night and snow falls, which usually does not last more than a week. The amount of precipitation decreases from east to west from 1000 to 750 mm per year, and droughts are frequent in the foothills. The vegetation is quite poor. The grass steppes of the foothills give way to alpine meadows and then to alpine vegetation. The animal world is poor. You can occasionally see small herds of small antelope. There are practically no large mammals.
Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king. Legislative power belongs to the bicameral parliament, executive power belongs to the government headed by the prime minister.
More than 20% of the population stick to local traditional beliefs; the rest are Christians, mainly Catholics and Protestants.
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Kingdom of Lesotho- a state in South Africa, an enclave completely surrounded by the territory of the Republic of South Africa. It is part of the countries of the British Commonwealth.
Lesotho is a mountainous country. The plateaus in the west of the country (outskirts of the High Veldt), located at altitudes of about 1200 m above sea level, are the main areas Agriculture. They are bordered in the east by the Maluti Mountains, the peaks of which exceed 3000 m above sea level. Behind these mountains is the Basuto Plateau (more than 2000 m high), where it originates largest river South Africa- Orange.
Lesotho weather
Lesotho has a temperate climate. During winter months– July and August – there are often heavy snowfalls. In the High Weald region Maximum temperature in summer reaches +32° C, and the minimum in winter is –7° C. In the high mountainous regions, temperature amplitudes are even greater, with frosts reaching –18° C in winter. Average annual precipitation ranges from 740 mm in Maseru to 1900 mm in the Maluti Mountains.
Language of Lesotho
Official language: English, Sesotho
Currency of Lesotho
International name: LSL
The country's currency is “tied” to the South African rand exchange rate, and the rands themselves are accepted everywhere and without restrictions.
You can exchange hard currency for rands and lotis at almost any bank, currency exchange offices and hotels (usually the exchange rate in hotels is somewhat high). Traveler's checks can also be easily exchanged at banks; it is recommended to request a rand, the use of which will save on the subsequent need to convert unused lotis when leaving the country or when traveling to neighboring countries.
Credit cards Visa, MasterCard, Access, American Express and Diners Club are accepted for payment in most hotels, shops and restaurants in the capital, but outside its borders their use is limited, and in Maseru itself cash will be required almost everywhere.
Customs restrictions
The amount of foreign currency imported into the country is not limited; it is not necessary to declare the hard currency you have with you upon entry and exit. The export of national currency is prohibited.
It is prohibited to import canned meat products, narcotic and explosives, weapons and ammunition without appropriate documentation.
Mains voltage: 220V
Tips
Tipping is not required, but it is recommended that porters, waiters, taxi drivers and gas station attendants leave some change. In large restaurants and hotels it is recommended to leave 10% of the bill.
Office hours
Banks are usually open from 9.00 to 15.30 from Monday to Friday and from 8.30 to 11.00 on Saturday.
Code of the country: +266
Geographical Domain name first level:.ls
Medicine
Fever vaccination is recommended. In addition to fever and the possibility of getting an infection from contaminated drinking water in remote areas, Lesotho has quite good performance infectious situation, so additional safety measures should be taken only when visiting the province.
