Lesotho, the “Mountain Kingdom,” is the only sovereign state in the world lying entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation. More than 80% of its land sits above 1,800 meters in the Maloti Mountains, whose highest peak, Thabana Ntlenyana, rises to 3,482 meters.
The Basotho nation formed in the 19th century under King Moshoeshoe I and became independent from Britain in 1966. Maseru is the capital and largest city.
The economy has long depended on South Africa, but Lesotho built a textile industry under preferential trade access and developed the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which sells water and hydroelectric power to its neighbor. The Afriski resort in the Maloti Mountains draws winter sports visitors, and the Thaba-Bosiu plateau preserves the fortress capital of Moshoeshoe I.
Poverty and unemployment remain high, and the country has one of the world’s highest HIV rates. Development efforts focus on diversifying the economy and building tourism around the mountains and Basotho culture.
Related: Lesotho’s Academic Odyssey, mountain ecology in Tajikistan, and mountain tourism management in Andorra.

