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| Independence Year : 1966 Population : 2153000 Life Expectancy : 50.8 Capital : 2437 GNP : 1061.00 GNP Old : 1161.00 Local Name : Lesotho Government Form :Constitutional Monarchy Location : South Africa Terrain : High veld, plateau and mountains Climate : Temperate; summers hot, winters cool to cold; humidity generally low and evenings cool year round. Rainy season in summer, winters dry. Southern hemisphere seasons are reversed Ethnic Group : Basotho 99.7%; Europeans 1,600; Asians 3,000. Religions : 80% Christian, including Roman Catholic (majority), Lesotho Evangelical,Anglican, other denominations. Official Website :www.lesotho.gov.ls | 
Genral Information - Lesotho
Background
Lesotho is a democratic, sovereign and independent country with the unique characteristic of being totally surrounded by its neighbour, the Republic of South Africa. The formerly Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. In 1993 after 23 years of military rule, a new constitution was implemented leaving the King without any executive authority and proscribing him from engaging in political affairs. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody South African military intervention. Constitutional reforms have since restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002. However Lesotho is one of three remaining monarchies in Africa. (Source: CIA - The World Factbook) |
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