Terrain

Lesotho's landscape is dominated by the Drakensberg mountains which stretch eastwards from the north-east. The Orange River which flows through the country has its source in the Drakensberg mountains, which is also the location of the country's highest peak, Thabana Ntlenyana (3,482 m). The mountains drop in the west to form a plateau, the country's most fertile area. Considering that it is located in a dry region, Lesotho has a good supply of water.

Climate

The climate is temperate with two distinct seasons. Winter lasts from May to September and summer comes at the same time as the rainy season (from October to April). 85% of the total precipitation falls during this period and the country is often hit by thunder storms.

January and February are Lesotho's hottest months. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 32.2° C to -6.7° C; the temperature varies even more in the mountains. Snow falls in high areas during the winter and it is not uncommon for there to be frost in the low areas. Generally speaking, Lesotho is known as a land of clear blue skies with more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

Fauna/Flora

Many of the country's endemic plant species are in danger of extinction and the last few years have seen an increased effort to protect them. The Sehlabathebe National Park provides a habitat for typical creatures such as the antelope and small animals such as the hare. The Drakensberg Mountains are one of the few places in southern Africa where the huge bearded vulture (the lammergeyer) is still found. Many large mammals are now extinct as a result of stock farming.

History/Politics

Not much is known about Lesotho's early history. However, historical records indicate that the region was inhabited by Bantu tribes (including the Sotho) until the Zulu started to conquer the area in 1818. While some of the Sotho tribes retreated to the north, the leader of the Bakwene tribe, Moshoeshoe, united remaining Sotho tribes and dissident Zulus and retreated to the Drakensberg mountains where they fought the conquerors.

This resistance and the war against the Boers from 1839 onwards strengthened ties between these groups of different origins. Moshoeshoe was named "Great Leader of the Mountains" and his people were called the Basothos. Having to face the Boers, Moshoeshoe looked for British support in 1843 and the territory became the British Protectorate of Basuto (administratively independent from South Africa) in 1868. It finally became a British colony in 1884 and was used as a labour reservoir for the mines in South Africa during the first half of the 20th century.

After the breakdown of relations between London and South Africa, Britain granted Lesotho its independence in 1966 and the country became a multiparty democracy. Simultaneously, a number of conflicts broke out between Lesotho and South Africa that were to last for years. In 1993 Lesotho became a constitutional monarchy with a king as head of state. His succession has to be ratified by the college of chiefs. The king has neither executive nor legislative powers. Upon the death of King Moshoeshoe II in a car accident in January 1996, his son Letsie III became king and head of state. He was crowned in 1997.

In 1998 the official party won the elections, but the opposition claimed election fraud. As a result, protests broke out which led the government to ask South Africa for military aid. The situation calmed down and the South African army retreated in May 1999. Over the past three years, Lesotho has been affected by a series of droughts, which led the government to declare a state of emergency in 2004 and ask for international food aid.

Economy

In terms of the economy, Lesotho depends on South Africa. Since there are very few jobs, people have always looked for work in South Africa in mining, farming or as domestic help. About 38% of the male workforce is employed in South Africa. Around 80% of people living in Lesotho depend on agriculture, which accounts for 25% of the country's GDP and the manufacturing industry accounts of 11%.

There was a tourism boom in the eighties, mainly because of tourists from South Africa. 60% of households mainly subsist on remittances from workers employed abroad that balances out the country's high trade deficit. In 2004, the inflation rate was around 9.3% and the unemployment rate was 45%.

Culture

The various blankets worn by the Basotho people are still closely linked to Basotho family life. When a boy goes into retreat to prepare for his circumcision, he wears a special blanket called the moholobela (the fertility blanket). After the ceremony he is entitled to another blanket, called the lekhokolo, as proof that he has reached manhood. Next, he may need the motlotheti (wedding blanket). And finally, he will want a serope, presented to his first wife on the birth of their first child.