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Introduction to Lesotho
created on:
2001-07-28
Lesotho is a small enclave within the east central region of the Republic of South Africa. It is roughly circular in shape and completely landlocked by South Africa. The country has a total land area of about 30 350 square kilometers.
Lesotho is a mountainous kingdom and has three geographical regions. The Eastern Highland include the Thabana-Ntlenyana, the country's highest point (3482m). The Western Lowlands, where two-thirds of the population live, consists of undulating basins and plains. The intermediate region between the highlands and the lowlands consist of cave sandstone terrace. The country is drained by three large rivers, the Orange, the Caledon and the Tugela, which rises in the mountains.
The country has a climate which is characterized by extremes in temperatures. Snow is frequent in the Eastern Highland from May to September. The summer season is from October to April when 85 per cent of the rain falls and thunderstorms are common. The average temperature in Maseru (the capital) ranges from -3 to 17 degrees Celsius in July to 15 to 33 degrees Celsius in January.
When you are visiting South Africa, it is really worth it to make a side-trip to Lesotho. It is a country with friendly people and a beautifull nature. Although the country is home to fewer animals than many Southern African countries, there is a rich birdlife with nearly 300 species. Hiking is spectacular because of the high country and another popular activity is pony trekking on the little Basotho ponies.
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