Lesotho

Government
Parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Geography
Mountainous Lesotho, the size of Maryland, is surrounded by the Republic of South Africa.

Historical Background
Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. The Basuto National Party ruled for the first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and reinstated in 1995. Constitutional government was restored in 1993. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Botswanan military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Constitutional reforms have since restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002.

Name

Kingdom of Lesotho

Capital

Maseru

Government

Parliamentary constitutional monarchy -  King Letsie III -  Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili

Area

Total 30,355 km2 (140th) 12,727 sq mi          

Population

2009 estimate 2,067,000[1] (146th) -  2004 census 2,031,348     

GDP (PPP)

2009 estimate - Total $2.518 billion[2] 

GDP (nominal)

2009 estimate - Total $1.327 billion[2]

Currency

Lesotho loti/Loti (LSL)

Time zone

(UTC+2)