Lesotho Travel Guide

Lesotho — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Southern Africa.
Language: Sesotho and English.
Area: 30,355 sq km (11,720 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 2.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Population: 2.1 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density: 70 per sq km.
Capital City: Maseru. Population: 170,000 (UN estimate 2003).
Government: Kingdom. Gained independence from the UK in 1966.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili since 1998.
Head of State: King Letsie III since 1996.
Religion: Around 80% Christian; mainly Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lesotho Evangelical. Indigenous beliefs account for the remaining 20%.

Communications

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 offices are located throughout the country, with the main branch based in Maseru.Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1630; Sat 0800-1200.

Press

Makatolle, MoAfrica and Mohlanka are published weekly in Sesotho while 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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2013
1 Jan New Year’s Day
11 Mar Moshoeshoe Day

2011
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Workers’ Day
25 May Africa Day / Heroes’ Day
2 Jun Ascension
17 Jul King Letsie III’s Birthday
4 Oct Independence Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
11 Mar Moshoeshoe Day
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Workers’ Day
17 May Ascension
25 May Africa Day / Heroes’ Day
17 Jul King Letsie III’s Birthday
4 Oct Independence Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day