Lesotho Country & Tourist Information

Location
Southern Africa.

Area
30,355 sq km (11,720 sq miles).

Population
2.2 million (official estimate 2002).

Population Density
67.0 per sq km.

Capital
Maseru.
Population: 271,000 (UN estimate 2001, including suburbs).

Government
Kingdom. Gained independence from the UK in 1966.
Head of State: King Letsie III since 1996.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili since 1998.

Language
Sesotho and English.

Religion
90 per cent Christian; mainly Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lesotho Evangelical. The remainder belong to other denominations, including Islam.

Time
GMT + 2.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Telephone
Country code: 266 (no area codes). 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.


Post
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1630, Sat 0800-1200.

Press
• Makatolle, MoAfrica and Mohlanka are weekly publications.
• The Mirror is published in English.

Radio
• Radio Lesotho is state-run and MoAfrika FM is private.
• Other stations include People’s Choice FM, Joy Radio FM and Catholic Radio FM.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
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.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
11 Mar Moshoeshoe Day. 
21 Mar Good Friday. 
24 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May Workers’ Day. 
1 May Ascension.
25 May Africa Day/ Heroes’ Day.
17 Jul King Letsie III’s Birthday.
4 Oct Independence Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

Contact Information:

Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture
PO Box 729, Maseru 100, Lesotho
Tel: (22) 311 006.
Website: www.lesotho.gov.ls

Lesotho High Commission in the UK
7 Chesham Place, Belgravia, London SW1 8HN, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 5686.
Website: www.lesotholondon.org.uk

Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho in the USA
2511 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 797 5533.
Website: www.lesothoemb-usa.gov.ls
Also deals with enquiries from Canada.


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