Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa

Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area:
total area: 30,350 sq km
land area: 30,350 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries: total 909 km, South Africa 909 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none; landlocked

International disputes: none

Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Terrain: mostly highland with some plateaus, hills, and mountains

Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other minerals

Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 66%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 24%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, soil exhaustion; desertification
natural hazards: subject to periods of drought
international agreements: party to - Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

Note: landlocked; surrounded by South Africa; Highlands Water Project will control, store, and redirect water to South Africa

NOTE: The information regarding Lesotho on this page is re-published from the 1995 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Lesotho Geography 1995 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Lesotho Geography 1995 should be addressed to the CIA.