Editing Geography of Lesotho

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Infobox country geography
|name =Lesotho
|map = [[File:Lesotho_sat.png|250px]]<br><br>[[File:LocationLesotho.svg|240px]]
|continent =[[Africa]]
|region =[[Southern Africa]]
|coordinates ={{coord|29|30|S|28|30|E|type:country|display=inline,title}}
|area ranking =141st
|km area =30355
|percent land= 100
|km coastline =0
|borders =[[Land borders|Total land borders]]:<br />{{convert|909|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<br />[[South Africa]]:<br/>{{convert|909|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
|highest point= [[Thabana Ntlenyana]]<br/>{{convert|3482|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|lowest point= Junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers<br />{{convert|1400|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
}}
'''[[Lesotho]]''' is a mountainous, [[landlocked country]] located in [[Southern Africa]]. It is an [[Enclave and exclave|enclave]], surrounded by [[South Africa]]. The total length of the country's borders is {{convert|909|km|mi|0}}. Lesotho covers an area of around {{convert|30355|km2|sqmi|0}}, of which a negligible percentage is covered with water.

The most popular geographic fact about Lesotho, apart from its status as an enclave, is that it is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above {{convert|1000|m|ft|0}} in [[elevation]].<ref name="factbook" /> Its lowest point is at {{convert|1400|m|ft|0}}, [[List_of_elevation_extremes_by_country|the highest low point of any country]].<ref name=":0" /> Because of its elevation, the country's climate is cooler than in most other regions at the same [[latitude]]. Its [[Köppen climate classification|climate zone]] can be classified as [[continental climate|continental]].

==Location==
Lesotho is a country in Southern Africa, located at around 29°30' south latitude and 28°30' east longitude. It is the [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|141st largest country in the world]], with a total land area of {{convert|30355|km2|sqmi|0}}, of which a negligible percentage is covered with water.<ref name="factbook" /> Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, making it one of only three countries in the world that are enclaved within another country; the other two are [[San Marino]] and [[Vatican City]], both located within [[Italy]].<ref>{{cite book| title=Transit Regime for Landlocked States : International Law and Development Perspectives| author=Kishor Uprety| publisher=The World Bank| year=2005| isbn=0-8213-6299-2| pages=5}}</ref> The total length of the South African border is {{convert|909|km|mi}}.<ref name="factbook">{{cite web| url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lesotho/| title=CIA - The World Factbook - Lesotho| author=CIA| access-date=2008-04-15| archive-date=2021-07-02| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702003726/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lesotho/| url-status=live}}</ref> Lesotho's status as an enclave also means that it is landlocked and largely dependent on South Africa. The nearest major shipping port is [[Durban]].<ref>Uprety 2005, p. 9</ref>

==Physical geography==
{{further|Lesotho Highlands}}
[[File:Lesotho Malealea.jpg|thumb|left|Malealea village in the highlands of Lesotho]]
Lesotho can be roughly divided into three geographic regions: the lowlands, following the southern banks of the [[Caledon River]], and in the [[Senqu River|Senqu river]] valley; the highlands formed by the [[Drakensberg]] and [[Maloti Mountains|Maloti]] mountain ranges in the east and central parts of the country; and the foothills that form a divide between the lowlands and the highlands.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.africaguide.com/country/lesotho/| title=Lesotho travel guide| work=The Africa Guide| access-date=2008-04-19| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509143934/http://www.africaguide.com/country/lesotho/| archive-date=2008-05-09| url-status=dead}}</ref> The lowest elevation in the country is at the junction of the [[Makhaleng River|Makhaleng]] and [[Orange River|Orange]] (Senqu) rivers (at the South African border), which at {{convert|1400|m|ft|0}} is the highest lowest point of any country.<ref name=":0">{{cite book| title=Southern Africa| author=Alan Murphy| publisher=Lonely Planet| year=2007| isbn=978-1-74059-745-6| pages=140}}</ref> Lesotho is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above {{convert|1000|m|ft|0}} in elevation.<ref name="esa">{{cite web| url=http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMYMSWUP4F_index_0.html| title=Earth from Space: Winter in southern Africa| author=European Space Agency| access-date=2008-04-19| archive-date=2012-10-20| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020001113/http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMYMSWUP4F_index_0.html| url-status=live}}</ref> The highest point is the peak of the [[Thabana Ntlenyana]] mountain, which reaches an elevation of {{convert|3482|m|ft|0}}.<ref name="factbook" /> Over 80% of Lesotho lies above {{convert|1800|m|ft|0}}.<ref name="factbook" />

Even though very little of Lesotho is covered in water, the rivers that run across the country are an important part of Lesotho's economy. Much of the country's export income comes from water, and much of its power comes from [[hydroelectricity]].<ref name="lhwp" /> The [[Orange River]] rises in the [[Drakensberg]] mountains in northeastern Lesotho and flows across the entire length of the country before exiting to South Africa at the [[Mohale's Hoek District]] in the southwest. The [[Caledon River]] marks the northwestern part of the border with South Africa. Other rivers include the [[Malibamat'so River|Malibamatso]], [[Matsoku River|Matsoku]] and [[Senqunyane River|Senqunyane]].

The bedrock of Lesotho belongs to the [[Karoo Supergroup]], consisting mostly of [[shale]] and [[sandstone]].<ref>{{cite book| title=The Physical Geography of Africa|author1=W. M. Adams |author2=A. S. Goudie |author3=A. R. Orme|author-link2=Andrew Goudie (geographer) | publisher= Oxford University Press| year= 1999| pages=152| isbn=0-19-823406-6}}</ref> [[Peat]]lands can be found in the highlands of Lesotho, most extensively in the mountainous [[escarpment]] near the country's eastern border. The summit of Thabana Ntlenyana is partially encircled by bogs.<ref>Adams, Goudie, Orme, p. 245</ref>

[[Solifluction|Solifluction deposits]], [[blockfield]]s, [[blockstream (geology)|blockstream]]s and [[stone garland]]s can be found across the higher portions of the Lesotho Highlands. These features were formed in connection to the [[periglaciation|periglacial]] conditions that prevailed during the [[last glacial period]] in the area.<ref name=Sumner2004>{{cite journal|author-last=Sumner |author-first=P.D. |date=2004 |title=Geomorphic and climatic implications of relict openwork block accumulations near Thabana-Ntlenyana, Lesotho|journal=[[Geografiska Annaler|Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography]] |volume=86|issue=3 |pages=289–302|doi=10.1111/j.0435-3676.2004.00232.x |s2cid=128774864 }}</ref><ref name=Millsetal2017>{{cite journal|author-last=Mills |author-first=S.C. |author-last2=Barrows |author-first2=T.T. |author-last3=Telfer|author-first3=M.W.|author-last4=Fifield |author-first4=L.K. |date=2017|title=The cold climate geomorphology of the Eastern Cape Drakensberg: A reevaluation of past climatic conditions during the last glacial cycle in Southern Africa |journal=[[Geomorphology (journal)|Geomorphology]] |volume=278 |number=278|pages=184–194|doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.11.011 |bibcode=2017Geomo.278..184M |hdl=10026.1/8086 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Political geography==
[[File:Map of lesotho.png|thumb|Districts and Cities of Lesotho]]
{{main|Districts of Lesotho}}
Lesotho is divided into 10 administrative [[district]]s, each with its own capital, called a [[Camptown (Lesotho)|camptown]].<ref>{{cite book| title=Commonwealth Yearbook| author=Commonwealth Secretariat| year=2004| pages=180| isbn=0-11-703227-1| publisher=The Stationery Office for the Commonwealth Secretariat| location=London}}</ref> The districts are further subdivided into 80 constituencies, which consist of 129 local community councils.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.statoids.com/yls.html| title=Lesotho Councils| work=Statoids| access-date=2008-04-15| archive-date=2018-09-26| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926130418/http://www.statoids.com/yls.html| url-status=live}}</ref> The distribution of population in [[Lesotho]] overlaps with the country's varied ecological conditions; poverty too is linked to ecological conditions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anand |first=Aanchal |date=2024 |title=Territorial development: An innovative approach for Lesotho |url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/nasikiliza/territorial-development-innovative-approach-for-lesotho-afe-0624}}</ref>

Districts (in alphabetical order):
*[[Berea District|Berea]]
*[[Butha-Buthe District|Butha-Buthe]]
*[[Leribe District|Leribe]]
*[[Mafeteng District|Mafeteng]]
*[[Maseru District|Maseru]]
*[[Mohale's Hoek District|Mohale's Hoek]]
*[[Mokhotlong District|Mokhotlong]]
*[[Qacha's Nek District|Qacha's Nek]]
*[[Quthing District|Quthing]]
*[[Thaba-Tseka District|Thaba-Tseka]]

==Climate==
{{See also|Climate Change in Lesotho}}
[[File:Snowfall Lesotho 2.jpg|thumb|right|Snow on the Lesotho [[Moteng pass]]]]
Because of its altitude, the country remains cooler throughout the year than most other regions at the same latitude. Lesotho has a temperate climate,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lesotho/ |title=The World Factbook |access-date=2021-01-24 |archive-date=2021-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702003726/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lesotho/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with hot summers and cold winters. [[Maseru]] and its surrounding lowlands often reach {{convert|30|C|F}} in the summer.<ref name="profile">{{cite book| title=Lesotho Profile (2006/April)| author=Walden Publishing Ltd| publisher=World of Information| year=2006}}</ref> Winters can be cold with the lowlands getting down to {{convert|-7|C|F|1}} and the highlands to {{convert|-20|C|F|1}} at times.<ref name="profile" />

The yearly precipitation varies from around {{convert|600|mm|in|1}} in the lowland valleys to around {{convert|1200|mm|in|1}} in areas of the northern and eastern escarpment bordering South Africa.<ref name="lhwp" /><ref name="lesmet" /> Most of the rain falls as summer [[thunderstorm]]s: 85% of the annual precipitation falls between the months of  October and April.<ref name="lesmet" /> The winters—between May and September are usually very dry.<ref name="lesmet" /> [[Snow]] is common in the deserts and low valleys between May and September; the higher peaks can experience occasional significant snowfall year-round.<ref name="esa" /> Annual variance in rainfall is quite erratic, which leads to periodic [[drought]]s in the dry season (May to September) and [[flooding]], which can be severe in the rainy season (October–April).

{{Weather box
| location     = Maseru (1931–1960)
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| Jan high C = 28
| Feb high C = 27
| Mar high C = 25
| Apr high C = 21
| May high C = 18
| Jun high C = 15
| Jul high C = 16
| Aug high C = 19
| Sep high C = 23
| Oct high C = 24
| Nov high C = 26
| Dec high C = 28
| Jan low C = 14
| Feb low C = 14
| Mar low C = 12
| Apr low C = 8
| May low C = 3
| Jun low C = 0
| Jul low C = -1
| Aug low C = 2
| Sep low C = 6
| Oct low C = 9
| Nov low C = 12
| Dec low C = 13
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 114
| Feb precipitation mm = 89
| Mar precipitation mm = 96
| Apr precipitation mm = 67
| May precipitation mm = 29
| Jun precipitation mm = 12
| Jul precipitation mm = 14
| Aug precipitation mm = 15
| Sep precipitation mm = 19
| Oct precipitation mm = 63
| Nov precipitation mm = 80
| Dec precipitation mm = 93
| year precipitation mm = 
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 13
|Feb precipitation days = 10
|Mar precipitation days = 11
|Apr precipitation days = 8
|May precipitation days = 6
|Jun precipitation days = 3
|Jul precipitation days = 3
|Aug precipitation days = 3
|Sep precipitation days = 3
|Oct precipitation days = 8
|Nov precipitation days = 10
|Dec precipitation days = 10
|year precipitation days = 
|Jan humidity = 37
|Feb humidity = 42
|Mar humidity = 43
|Apr humidity = 42
|May humidity = 38
|Jun humidity = 35
|Jul humidity = 32
|Aug humidity = 27
|Sep humidity = 24
|Oct humidity = 30
|Nov humidity = 34
|Dec humidity = 35
|year humidity = 
|Jan sun = 287
|Feb sun = 263
|Mar sun = 259
|Apr sun = 241
|May sun = 247
|Jun sun = 232
|Jul sun = 254
|Aug sun = 279
|Sep sun = 278
|Oct sun = 276
|Nov sun = 279
|Dec sun = 307
|year sun =
| source 1 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]<ref name=DMI>{{cite web | last1 = Cappelen | first1 = John | last2 = Jensen | first2 = Jens | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130427173827/http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf | archive-date = April 27, 2013 | url = http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf | work = Climate Data for Selected Stations (1931-1960) | title = Lesotho - Maseru | page = 166 | publisher = Danish Meteorological Institute | language = da | access-date = April 7, 2017}}</ref>
| date     = August 2011
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Letšeng-la-Terae
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan high C = 14.8
|Feb high C = 14.5
|Mar high C = 12.2
|Apr high C = 10.6
|May high C = 7.7
|Jun high C = 5.4
|Jul high C = 5.4
|Aug high C = 6.8
|Sep high C = 9.9
|Oct high C = 11.2
|Nov high C = 12.6
|Dec high C = 13.7
|Jan mean C = 9.8
|Feb mean C = 9.7
|Mar mean C = 7.7
|Apr mean C = 5.1
|May mean C = 2.0
|Jun mean C = -0.1
|Jul mean C = 0.0
|Aug mean C = 1.5
|Sep mean C = 4.6
|Oct mean C = 6.0
|Nov mean C = 7.5
|Dec mean C = 8.9
|Jan low C = 4.8
|Feb low C = 4.9
|Mar low C = 3.3
|Apr low C = -0.3
|May low C = -3.6
|Jun low C = -5.5
|Jul low C = -5.3
|Aug low C = -3.8
|Sep low C = -0.6
|Oct low C = 0.8
|Nov low C = 2.5
|Dec low C = 4.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 133
|Feb precipitation mm = 119
|Mar precipitation mm = 120
|Apr precipitation mm = 67
|May precipitation mm = 20
|Jun precipitation mm = 10
|Jul precipitation mm = 8
|Aug precipitation mm = 24
|Sep precipitation mm = 57
|Oct precipitation mm = 89
|Nov precipitation mm = 115
|Dec precipitation mm = 119
|source 1 = Climate-data.org<ref>{{cite web
  |url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/923374/
  |title=Climate: Letšeng-la-Terae
  |accessdate=26 April 2015
  |archive-date=27 June 2015
  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627124351/http://en.climate-data.org/location/923374/
  |url-status=live
  }}</ref>
|date=April 2015}}

[[File:Soil Erosion in Lesotho.jpg|thumb]]
==Natural resources==
[[File:Lesotho2025OSM.png|thumb|Detailed map of Lesotho]] 
Lesotho is poor in natural resources.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.worldinformation.com/worldroot/start.asp?content=world&continent=Africa&country=266&bodytext=profile&p=3| title=Country Information: Lesotho (page 3)| work=worldinformation.com| access-date=2008-04-19}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Economically the most important resource is water. The [[Lesotho Highlands Water Project]] allows exporting water from the [[Malibamat'so River|Malibamatso]], [[Matsoku River|Matsoku]], [[Senqu River|Senqu]] and [[Senqunyane River|Senqunyane]] rivers to South Africa, while also generating [[hydroelectric power]] for Lesotho's needs. As of April 2008, the first phase of the project has been completed.<ref name="lhwp">{{cite web| url=http://www.lhwp.org.ls/overview/default.htm| title=Project Overview| work=Lesotho Highlands Water Project| access-date=2008-04-19| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511013231/http://www.lhwp.org.ls/overview/Default.htm| archive-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> The project already accounts for an estimated five percent of Lesotho's [[Gross domestic product|GDP]], and when fully completed, it could account for as much as 20 percent.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.worldreport-ind.com/lesotho/natural.htm| title=White gold powers economic cooperation| author=World Report Limited| access-date=2008-04-20| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107025538/http://www.worldreport-ind.com/lesotho/natural.htm| archive-date=2009-01-07| url-status=usurped}}</ref>

The main mineral resource is diamonds from the [[Letseng diamond mine]] in the Maluti mountain range. The mine produces very few stones, but has the highest dollar ratio per carat of any diamond mine in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.khulsey.com/jewelry/kh_jewelry_diamond_mines_pg2.html |title = South African Diamond Mines |work = khulsey.com |access-date = 2008-04-19 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080413055442/http://www.khulsey.com/jewelry/kh_jewelry_diamond_mines_pg2.html |archive-date = 2008-04-13 }}</ref> Other mineral resources include [[coal]], [[galena]], [[quartz]], [[agate]] and [[uranium]] deposits, but their exploitation is not considered commercially viable.<ref name="minerals">{{cite journal| title=Lesotho: Mining| author=The Economist Intelligence Unit| date=2004-02-20}}</ref> [[Clay]] deposits can be found in the country, and are used for producing tiles, bricks and other ceramics.<ref name="minerals" />

Much of the population engages in [[Subsistence agriculture|subsistence farming]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.lesotho.gov.ls/about/economy.php| title=Lesotho Economy| work=Lesotho Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology| access-date=2008-04-19| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419010254/http://www.lesotho.gov.ls/about/economy.php| archive-date=2008-04-19}}</ref> even though only 10.71% of the country's surface is classified as arable land and 0.13% has permanent crops.<ref name="factbook" /> Much of the land has been ruined by [[soil erosion]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=48540| title=LESOTHO: "The land is blowing away"| work=IRIN| access-date=2008-04-21| archive-date=2011-08-07| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807223511/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=48540| url-status=live}}</ref> The most fertile farmlands are in the northern and central lowlands, and in the foothills between the lowlands and the mountains.<ref name="lesmet">{{cite web| url=http://www.lesmet.org.ls/climate_of_lesotho.htm| title=Climate of Lesotho| work=Lesotho Meteorological Service| access-date=2008-04-19| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224101153/http://www.lesmet.org.ls/climate_of_lesotho.htm| archive-date=2007-12-24}}</ref> Large tracts of the fertile farmland to the north of the country—in the [[Free State (South African province)|Free State]] region of South Africa—were lost to European colonists in wars during the 19th century.

==Extreme points==
This is a list of the extreme points of [[Lesotho]], the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.

* Northernmost point - unnamed location on the border with [[Golden Gate National Park]] in [[South Africa]] immediately north-west of the village of [[Monontsa]], In [[Butha-Buthe District]]
* Easternmost point - unnamed location on the border with [[South Africa]] immediately west of the South African mountain [[Giant's Castle]], [[Mokhotlong District]]
* Southernmost point - [[Gairntoul]] mountain, [[Quthing District]]
* Westernmost point - unnamed location in the [[Caledon River]] on the border with [[South Africa]], [[Mafeteng District]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Geography of Africa}}
{{Africa topic|Climate of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of Lesotho}}
[[Category:Geography of Lesotho| ]]