- There is a good reason for the short road network. Lesotho is very mountainous. In fact, it has the “highest lowest point” of any country.
What is considered large in Europe tends to be viewed as small in Africa.
Lesotho is the world’s 137th biggest country, although its 11,720 square miles of territory make it only just smaller than Belgium (which spreads its wings to 11,787 square miles) – and just a little bigger than both Albania (11,100 square miles) and Macedonia (9928 square miles).
There is a good reason for the short road network.
Lesotho is very mountainous.
In fact, it has the “highest lowest point” of any country. No other nation can claim a base altitude as lofty as Lesotho’s – 4,593ft (1,400m). It is the only independent state on the planet that exists entirely above 1,000m (3,281ft). Hence its apt nickname – “Kingdom of the Sky”.
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Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy. Letsie III is the guy at the top. He has been on the throne since February 1996 – although he also had a stint in the hot seat from 1990 to 1995, while his father was in exile. He was educated in the UK, at Ampleforth College in Yorkshire. He has three kids, including his heir, Prince Lerotholi.
It may not have quite the height and power of Victoria Falls, but Lesotho’s own grand cascade deserves a few moments of your time. Maletsunyane Falls sees the river of the same name plunge 630ft (192m) near the town of Semonkong. Were it located in a better-known country, this site of splash and crash would be deemed a world wonder. By way of comparison, Niagara Falls – admittedly a harder, faster water feature – dips 167ft (51m).
Lesotho has one of the world’s smallest road networks – a mere 3,700 miles. Nonetheless, it has witnessed a huge expansion in the last half-century. At the time of independence, the only paved highway was the Kingsway – which linked the royal palace to the airport.
This sits on the country’s southeast border (with South Africa, obviously) – and is home to a Snake Park where, if you have the courage, you can see deadly cobras and mambas.
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