Lesotho Pictures

Lesotho’s ethno-linguistic structure consists almost entirely of the Basotho, a Bantu-speaking people. The Kwena (Bakoena) are the largest subgroup of the Sotho; other Basotho subgroups include the Natal (North) Nguni, Batloung (the Tlou), Baphuthi (the Phuti), Bafokeng, Bataung (the Tau), Bats’oeneng (the tso’ene) and the Cape (South) Nguni (Thembu). Sesotho (Southern Sotho) and English languages are both official. Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa and Phuthi are also spoken.

Butha-Buthe is a district of Lesotho. It has an area of 1,767 km² and a population of approximately 130,000 (2001). Butha-Buthe is the capital or camptown, and only town in the district.

Set in truly stunning scenery, the village of Malealea, with its mountains, valleys and ancient San paintings hidden in rock shelters, is one of the gems of Lesotho. The best way to experience the spectacular landscape is to take a pony trek or wander on foot through the hills and villages. Malealea is appropriately advertised as ‘Lesotho in a nutshell’.

Weather is probably the main consideration for travellers deciding the best time to go, and if you don’t mind getting a little wet, it doesn’t much matter. Nearly all of Lesotho’s rain falls in the summer, between October and April. It’s beautiful and warm when the sun comes out, but mountain areas can be foggy and freezing.

Maseru (IPA: /mɑseʀu/) is the capital of Lesotho. Located on the Mohokare River, bordering South Africa, it is Lesotho’s only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 (2006). It is the capital or camptown of the Maseru District. Maseru was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the country became a British protectorate in 1869. When the country achieved independence in 1966, Maseru retained its status as capital. The city is located at 29.31° S 27.48° E. The name of the city is a Sesotho word meaning “place of the red sandstone”

Lesotho, officially 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 Sesotho.