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Lesotho
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Paramount chief MOSHOESHOE I consolidated what would become Basutoland in the early 19th century and made himself king in 1822. Continuing encroachments by Dutch settlers from the neighboring Orange Free State caused the king to enter into an 1868 agreement with the UK that made Basutoland first a British protectorate and, after 1884, a crown colony. After gaining independence in 1966, the country was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Profile
CapitalMaseru
Population2.2M
GDP$6.2B
Area30,355 km²
Currencymaloti (LSL) per US dollar -
Leadership
Head of State
Letsie III of Lesotho
Since 1996
Head of Government
Sam Matekane
Since 2022
At a Glance
Population
2.2M
GDP (PPP)
$6B
