Lesotho

Lesotho

Lesotho / or formally the Kingdom of Lesotho, is an isolated landlocked country in South Africa surrounded by South Africa. It was just over 30,000 km2 in size and has a population of just over two million

Lesotho, its capital and largest city, is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and the Southern African Development Community. Its system of government is a constitutional monarchy, but its legislative authority is within the jurisdiction of the Lesotho Parliament. Loti is the official currency of the country

The territory of the Kingdom of Lesotho is mostly mountainous, as it is characterized by its mild climate in the low-lying areas and intense coldness over its high areas. The air in these areas increases significantly in the winter. Lesotho does not overlook any of the large water bodies, such as seas and oceans, it is surrounded by the lands of South Africa from all sides. Drakensberg Mountain is the highest mountain in the Kingdom of Lesotho, and the highest summit is the summit of Thabana Ntliniana, which is estimated to be approximately three thousand and five hundred meters high

The vast majority of the country's population is Christian, with an estimated roughly ninety percent of the total population. The Christians in Lesotho are divided into many Christian denominations and communities. The Roman Catholics constitute the largest proportion, approximately forty-five percent, whereas the Evangelists constitute approximately twenty-six percent, while the rest of them are followers of other denominations

In addition to Christianity, there are many followers of other religions such as the followers of the Islamic religion, Buddhism, Hinduism, and others, as they are estimated to be approximately ten percent of the total population. It is worth noting that the majority of the population in the Kingdom of Lesotho are of African descent, and they practice different professions, and produce many products: such as textiles, handicrafts, agricultural products, and animals

The most important economic activity in Lesotho is raising cows, goats and sheep. The farmers grow asparagus, beans, maize, peas, corn, and wheat. The best agricultural land is located in the western plains, where about two thirds of the population lives.

And grazing leads to the destruction of soil in Lesotho. Clothes are also manufactured in Lesotho, as well as textiles, furniture and agricultural produce preservation. However, diamond mines were discontinued in the early 1980s due to the global drop in diamond prices

Lesotho does not have enough jobs for its people. At any point in time, it finds that close to half of the workforce work in South Africa in mines, factories, farms or in homes. They generally work on contracts that last from a few months to two years. The money this migrant labor earns in South Africa is vital to Lesotho's economy. The law states that 60% of the wages of every migrant worker must be deposited with the Lesotho Bank. The worker’s family can withdraw half of the deposited balance, while the other half must remain in the bank until the worker returns from South Africa. This system enables the government that owns the Bank of Lesotho to invest some of the money in development projects