Lesotho Country & Tourist Information

Location
Southern Africa.

Area
30,355 sq km (11,720 sq miles).

Population
2.1 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density
70 per sq km.

Capital
Maseru.
Population: 170,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Government
Kingdom. Gained independence from the UK in 1966.

Language
Sesotho and English.

Religion
Around 80% Christian; mainly Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lesotho Evangelical. Indigenous beliefs account for the remaining 20%.

Time
GMT + 2.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili since 1998.

Head of State
King Letsie III since 1996.

Telephone
Country code: 266. There is a limited internal telephone network.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to main urban areas.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in Maseru.

Media
The government operates a range of media. South African radio and TV stations can also be received. Reforms in 1998 led to commercial radio stations but state-run Radio Lesotho is the only national station. Due to high printing costs, radio is the most important form of mass communication.

The private press often carries opposition views, but publications and journalists are regularly targeted by defamation lawsuits.




Post
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1630, Sat 0800-1200.

Press
• Makatolle, MoAfrica and Mohlanka are published weekly in Sesotho.
• The Mirror and Public Eye are published weekly in English.

Radio
• Radio Lesotho is state-run.
• MoAfrika FM is a private, Maseru-based station.
• Other stations include People’s Choice FM, Joy Radio FM and Catholic Radio FM.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
11 Mar Moshoeshoe Day. 
10 Apr Good Friday. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Workers' Day. 
21 May Ascension.
25 May Africa Day/ Heroes' Day.
17 Jul King Letsie III's Birthday.
4 Oct Independence Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
11 Mar Moshoeshoe Day. 
2 Apr Good Friday. 
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Workers' Day. 
13 May Ascension.
25 May Africa Day/ Heroes' Day.
17 Jul King Letsie III's Birthday.
4 Oct Independence Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

Contact Information:

Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC)
PO Box 1378, Maseru 100, Lesotho
Tel: (22) 312 2238.
Website: www.ltdc.org.ls

Lesotho High Commission in the UK
7 Chesham Place, London SW1 8HN, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 5686.
Website: www.lesotholondon.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-1530.

Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho in the USA
2511 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 797 5533.
Website: www.lesothoemb-usa.gov.ls


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