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| Lesotho |
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| Lesotho Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Shepherd boy at Malealea Shepherd boy at Malealea Duncan Jones Lesotho is a tiny country in Southern Africa, and landlocked within the Republic of South Africa. It used to be known as Basutoland when it was a British Protectorate. It is spectacularly scenic, and has a large mountain range (part of the Drakensberg), forming most of its border. All of Lesotho consists of high mountainous terrain. Even the region that is referred to as the lowlands is over 1000 meters high. The main attraction of the country is its ruggedness and its people who in many cases still follow a traditional way of life. The capital Maseru is a laid back place and a good starting point for exploring the country. Hikes and visits to the only national park of the country, Sehlabathebe national park can be arranged in the capital. Note to drivers: police checkpoints frequently pop from behind a sharp curve in the road. Come to a full stop and remain stopped until the officer motions you to come forward. Even if you have to wait 5 minutes, do not move the vehicle without his permission. Doing so will get you fined for failing to come to a complete stop. A Journey Into Lesotho via the Sani Pass At a local airstrip in Durban, we boarded a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter for an hour and fifteen-minute flight over hilly farmland, small villages and forest plantations before climbing up the slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains. This World Heritage List range is South Africa's highest and forms a majestic semi-circular border between KwaZulu-Natal and the land-locked mountain kingdom of Lesotho. We landed the three helicopters on a gravel clearing at 1,800 metres and got into a 5-litre Chevrolet 4-wheel drive built for the South African army in the 1970's. From here it was three kilometres to the South African border post, from where the Sani Pass – a dirt track open only to 4x4s – rises 1,000 metres in just eight kilometres, arriving at the Lesotho border control and top of the pass at 2,873 metres. The final section of track has seventeen precipitous hairpins over three kilometres, with reassuring names like Big Wind Corner, Ice Corner, and Suicide Bend. It rises through spectacular scenery with imposing basalt buttresses soaring over remote valleys and jagged gorges, and waterfalls twinkling in the bright sunlight and cascading into the river far below. As we climbed the tortuous pass, buzzards and lammergeier vultures circled the sky around us, baboons barked from the cliffs and eland grazed the lush grass. Reaching the top, we drove 8 kilometres into Lesotho across a Scottish highlands-like landscape covered with summer flowers, and visited a small village of some twenty stone, mud and thatch huts. Lesotho is one of the poorest countries in the world, about the size of Belgium. Average annual income is about US$125, but the shepherds we met up here make about a third of that. It was a scene of extreme rural poverty although people looked fit and healthy, as they would have to be to survive the -14°C winters. We were welcomed into the hut of a 61-year old widow who makes a living from providing food, shelter and home-brewed beer to visiting herdsmen and sheep shearers. We sampled her delicious behobe bread baked on a fire in the centre of the hut, but – probably fortunately – she was out of her joala home-brew. Driving back to the pass the temperature dropped suddenly and the next minute we were in the midst of a violent hailstorm so loud it drowned out the sound of the 5-litre Chevrolet. An hour before we had been under a warm cloudless sky! Before our cloud-covered drive back down to the waiting choppers we had a beer and a simple lunch at the highest pub in Africa run by an enterprising South African and his wife. Contributed by Howard Banwell Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: shalunda_cannon@yahoo.com _________Getting Around Edit This At the moment the only internal flight in Lesotho is from Maseru to Qacha's Nek. There is a good network of slow buses but be prepared for long delays on the road. Buy short-distance tickets to allow for bus-hopping rather than one long-distance ticket committing yourself to extended waits in one-pony towns. Unusually for Africa all buses are non-smoking. Minibuses are slightly quicker but don't cover the same distances. There are no trains in Lesotho. Car hire is available in Maseru but hire rates are significantly cheaper in South Africa. _____Economy Edit This Economy—overview: Small landlocked and mountainous Lesotho has no important natural resources other than water. Its economy is based on agriculture light manufacturing and remittances from miners employed in South Africa. The number of such mine workers has declined steadily over the past five years; in 1996 their remittances added about 33% to GDP compared with the addition of roughly 67% in 1990. Manufacturing depends largely on farm products which support the milling canning leather and jute industries. Recent foreign investments will enable Lesotho to export garments made from imported textiles. Although drought has decreased agricultural activity over the past few years completion of a major hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to South Africa and will support the economy's continued expansion. The pace of the privatization of state-owned firms increased toward the end of 1994. GDP: purchasing power parity—$5.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 9% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$2 500 (1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 53% services: 37% (1997) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 8.7% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 689 000 economically active by occupation: 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa Unemployment rate: substantial unemployment and underemployment effecting more than half of the labor force (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $507 million expenditures: $487 million including capital expenditures of $170 million (FY96/97 est.) Industries: food beverages textiles handicrafts; construction; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 19.7% (1995) Electricity—capacity: 0 kW (1995) note: electricity supplied by South Africa Electricity—production: 0 kWh (1995) note: electricity supplied by South Africa Electricity—consumption per capita: 163 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: corn wheat pulses sorghum barley; livestock Exports: total value: $218 million (f.o.b. 1996 est.) commodities: clothing wool footwear road vehicles mohair (1995) partners: South African Customs Union 52% North America 38% EU 9% (1995) Imports: total value: $1.1 billion (c.i.f. 1996 est.) commodities: corn clothing building materials vehicles machinery medicines petroleum products (1993) partners: South African Customs Union 90% Asia 6% EU 2% (1995) Debt—external: $517 million (FY95/96 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA $NA Currency: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente note: maloti (M) is the plural form of loti Exchange rates: maloti (M) per US$1—4.94193 (January 1998) 4.60796 (1997) 4.29935 (1996) 3.62709 (1995) 3.55080 (1994) 3.26774 (1993); note—the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March ________People Edit This Population: 2 089 829 (July 1998 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 420 526; female 419 059) 15-64 years: 55% (male 558 068; female 596 598) 65 years and over: 5% (male 39 782; female 55 796) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.91% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 31.84 births/1 000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 12.76 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 78.3 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.97 years male: 52.18 years female: 55.81 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.13 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Mosotho (singular) Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho Ethnic groups: Sotho 99.7% Europeans 1 600 Asians 800 Religions: Christian 80% rest indigenous beliefs Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho) English (official) Zulu Xhosa Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.3% male: 81.1% female: 62.3% (1995 est.) ::::::::::Ha baroana Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Ha Baroana is palce with caves on the way to Mohale dam. In this historical caves the san tribe used to live in. The tribe left their trade mark all throughout Lesotho caves of which Ha baroana is one of those. The san have left historical rock-painting that date back from the 16th Century. this tribe is recently found in the Kalahari deserts in Botswana, where they still leave the primitive way of life. They are historically known the best hunters in the southern parts of Africa. the paintings in Ha-baroana are beautiful and gives the true reflection of the way the san people lived at that time, and the different wild animals they used to hunt. there is a lodge near that place called Molengaone Lodge. To go to the place you ride on the sure footed Basotho ponies which are available from the hospitable basotho people around. This is a must see place especially for those people interested in historical arts. :::::::Malealea Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Basotho pony trekking Basotho pony trekking Abdul R. Don't miss the pony treks in the village of Malealea, the definite highlight of our Lesotho experience. These are best organized by the Malealea Lodge (and they offer fantastic dinners!) You enter the village via the spectacular entrance through the Gates of Paradise Pass. Don't forget to bring warm clothes and your rain gear. :::::::::Maletsunyane falls Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see i 'Maletsunyane Falls are more than three times higher than the 159 ft American Niagara Falls. They are the second highest in southern Africa after Tugela Falls in South Africa which are four times higher. If you look closely at 'Maletsunyane Falls, you'll see it is somewhat like Brandywine Falls near Whistler, BC, Canada. It is much higher but looks quite similar. ::::::::Maseru Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Maseru is the capital of Lesotho and is located in the lowlands of the country - they are still pretty high at an altitude of over 1000 meters. The name means "the place of red sandstone". The main road through the centre of town is the Kingsway. It was paved for the occasion of a Royal visit by the British King just after the second world war. Maseru comnies a more modern approach to life with the old traditional ways. It is possible to see Basotho blanket-clad horsemen riding through a traffic queue or traditional craftsmen at work on the pavement outside a computerised office block. And although there are not many real sights Maserua is an easy-going place and you don't have to go far to find some good hikes in the nearby hills. :::::::::Sehlabathebe national park Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see i Sehlabathebe National Park is the only official National Park in Lesotho. Half the fun of the park is getting there, since it is rather remote. You need a 4X4 vehicle but even then you could be stuck going in or out waiting for a river to go down after heavy rains. The average elevation of the park is some 2,400 metres which means you can get altitude sickness. If you do arrive in the park then the best thing to do is go on a hike or a pony trek to fully enjoy the scenery. It maybe a good idea to take a guide with you on your excursions (there is always someone willing to take you for a minimal fee) as it is easy to get lost if a thick mist descends... there are melodious echos in that area and historically people have believed that this voice like echoes are the ancestoral gods living around this magnificent place. it is one of the highsest parks in the world at about 3000m-3400m above sea level. There is tremendous wildlife in that area. if you want to see the place where nature and environment is still intact and untempered with, then Lesotho is the place to be. the breeze is unpolluted, pure and has got that emotional healing theraphy. :::::::::Thabana-Ntlenyana Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see On top of mount Thabana-Ntlenyana On top of mount Thabana-Ntlenyana Routa MC Thabana-Ntlenyana, 3482m, is the highest peak in Southern Africa. The mountain is located in eastern Lesotho, only about 15 kilometers from top of the Sani pass. We stayed overnight in Sani Top Chalet, the highest pub in Africa and a backpackers location, and did a two-day hike to the top of Thabana-Ntlenyana. Guides and horse treks to the mountains are also available from the pub. The mountains are filled with amazing scenery and rural Basotho shepherds living in stone rondawels. In some places the shepherds asked us to avoid larger herds of sheep of cows. Coordinates Thabana-Ntlenyana: 29°28'10 S, 29°16'15 E Sani Top Chalet: 29°35'08 S, 29°17'14 E. Tel +27-33-702-1158, web www.sanitopchalet.co.za |
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| Lesotho | |
|---|---|
| Motto: Pace, Pioggia, Prosperità | |
| Informazioni | |
| Nome completo: | Regno del Lesotho |
| Nome ufficiale: | Muso oa Lesotho, Kingdom of Lesotho |
| Lingua ufficiale: | sesotho, inglese |
| Capitale: | Maseru (180.000 ab. / 2004) |
| Politica | |
| Governo: | Monarchia parlamentare |
| Capo di stato: | Letsie III del Lesotho |
| Capo di governo: | Pakalitha Mosisili |
| Indipendenza: | 4 ottobre, 1966 |
| Ingresso all'ONU: | 17 ottobre, 1966 |
| Area | |
| Totale: | 30.355 km² (137°) |
| % delle acque: | trascurabile |
| Popolazione | |
| Totale (2004): | 1.861.959 ab. (143°) |
| Densità: | 61,3 ab./km² |
| Geografia | |
| Continente: | Africa |
| Fuso orario: | UTC +2 |
| Economia | |
| Valuta: | Loti |
| PIL (PPA) (2005): | 4.996 milioni di $ (150°) |
| PIL procapite (PPA) (2005): | 2.113 $ (141°) |
| HDI (2004): | 0,494 (basso) (149°) |
| Varie | |
| TLD: | .ls |
| Prefisso tel.: | +266 |
| Sigla autom.: | LS |
| Inno nazionale: | Lesotho Fatse La Bontat'a Rona |
| Festa nazionale: | 4 ottobre |
Il Regno del Lesotho (Muso oa Lesotho, Kingdom of Lesotho) è una nazione dell'Africa del Sud. È una nazione enclave la cui capitale è Maseru completamente circondata dalla Repubblica del Sudafrica. Già chiamato Basutoland, è un membro del Commonwealth delle nazioni. Il nome Le-sotho è traducibile all'incirca con 'il popolo che parla sotho.'
Indice[nascondi] |
Le origini del popolo Basuto che dà il nome al paese e ne rappresenta di gran lunga l'etnia principale, sono relativamente recenti e rappresentano una delle conseguenze dello Mfekane ( guerra, massacro ) ossia dei raid di conquista compiuti dal re Zulu Shaka ne primi anni dell'Ottocento. I Basuto erano rifugiati appartenenti al gruppo Ngoni dei popoli Bantu, che si stabilirono sui Monti dei Draghi, nella regione in cui vivono tuttora, per scampare agli Zulu e alle razzie schiavistiche proveninenti dalla Baia di Delagoa.
Solo molto più tardi il paese diventò un protettorato della Colonia del Capo ( e quindi della Gran Bretagna ) e dopo il 1910 del Dominion del Sudafrica in cui la Colonia venne inclusa. Tuttavia il paese, pur rimanendo strettamente legato al Sudafrica, non ne fece mai parte, anche grazie alla compattezza territoriale ed etnica, e non fu mai un bantustan.
Il Lesotho è situato in mezzo ai Monti dei Draghi (principale catena montuosa del Sudafrica) ed è quindi principalmente montuoso o collinare.
Il Lesotho, con un PIL di 1.139 milioni di dollari USA, pari a 640 dollari USA pro capite (2003), è uno dei paesi meno sviluppati del mondo e la sua economia dipende in larga misura da quella del Sudafrica. Circa il 40% della forza lavoro non emigrante è impiegata nel settore agricolo.
Protestanti 42%, cattolici 38%, animisti 15%, musulmani 5%.