The Kingdom of Lesotho, is a land-locked country, entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Formerly Basutoland, it is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name Lesotho roughly translates into "the land of the people who speak Sotho."
Capital: - Maseru
Area: - Total: 30,355 km² (140th)
11,717 sq mi
- Water (%): negligible
Independence: - from the United Kingdom: October 4, 1966
Official languages: - Sotho, English
Population: - July 2005 estimate: 1,795,0001 (146th)
- 2004 census: 1,861,959
- Density: 59/km² (138th) 153/sq mi