Geography of Lesotho

Lesotho is considered to be a large nation because of its total area. Its total land area is 30,355 km² (approx. 11,720 mi²). Continental shelf of Lesotho is approximately 0 km² (around 0 mi²). Lesotho is located in Africa. Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent. African countries include, but are not limited to, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Egypt. Lesotho shares its borders with South Africa. Lesotho is a landlocked country. The average elevation range of Lesotho is 2,161 m (7,090 ft).

Neighbors

Total length of land borders of Lesotho is 1106 kilometers (~427 miles). Lesotho has 1 unique land boundary with a neighbouring territory - South Africa. The length of said border is 909 km (565 mi).

Cities

The capital city of Lesotho is Maseru. The largest city in Lesotho is Maseru.

Elevation

The average elevation range of Lesotho is 2,161 m (7,090 ft). The highest point of Lesotho is Thabana Ntlenyana, with its official height being 3482 m (11,424 ft). The lowest point of Lesotho is Orange River. It lies at 1400 m (4,593 ft) above the sea level. The elevation difference between the highest (Thabana Ntlenyana) and lowest (Orange River) points of Lesotho is 2082 m (2 ft).

Area

The total land area of Lesotho is 30,355 km² (approx. 11,720 mi²). and the total exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is 0 km² (~0 mi²). The continental shelf of Lesotho is approximately 0 km² (around 0 mi²). Including land mass and EEZ, the total area of Lesotho is approximately 30,355 km² (~11,720 mi²). Lesotho is considered to be a large nation because of its total area.

Forest and arable land

80 km² of Lesotho's territory is covered in forests, and forest land comprises 0% of all the land in the country. There are 3,300 km² of arable land in Lesotho, and it comprises 11% of the country's total territory.

Read our section on climate to discover what parameters affect these and other biomes of the country.

Natural resources

The most notable natural resources found in Lesotho are water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone.