Capital of Lesotho: Maseru — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Lesotho is Maseru. Lesotho sits in Africa, has a population of 2,305,825, and uses the LSL. Official languages include Sesotho, English.
Quick facts
- Capital: Maseru
- Continent: Africa
- Population: ~2,305,825
- Area: 30,355 km²
- Population density: 76.0 people per km²
- Official languages: Sesotho, English
- Currency: LSL
- ISO code: LS
How big is Lesotho?
By population, Lesotho ranks 145th in the world, holding roughly 0.03% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 138th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Lesotho has 76.0 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Africa, Lesotho is the 45th most populous country of 54.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Lesotho in population are Gabon (2,388,992) and Slovenia (2,119,675).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Belgium (30,528 km²) and Armenia (29,743 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Sesotho is listed as an official language of Lesotho alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Lesotho uses the LSL, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Lesotho
Maseru lies on the Caledon River, right on the border with South Africa, so the capital is on the edge of the country that surrounds it. For the flag, picture the Basotho hat sitting on a white cloud between a blue sky and green fields.
The flag of Lesotho: blue, white and green, with a black hat
🇱🇸 The flag is three horizontal stripes of blue, white and green, with a black mokorotlo (a traditional Basotho straw hat) in the centre of the white stripe. Blue stands for rain, white for peace and green for prosperity. The mokorotlo is a national symbol. This version of the flag was introduced in 2006, for 40 years of independence.
Region and neighbours
Lesotho is a small, mountainous, landlocked kingdom in Southern Africa, completely surrounded by South Africa. It shares land borders with one country: South Africa. Lesotho is an enclave: South Africa surrounds it on every side, so it is Lesotho's only neighbour. Lesotho is landlocked, with no coast on the open ocean.
- South Africa 🇿🇦 — capital Pretoria
Three facts about Lesotho
- Lesotho is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 m. Its lowest point, about 1,400 m, is the highest lowest point of any country.
- Surrounded by South Africa, it is the largest of the world's three sovereign enclaves. The other two are Vatican City and San Marino.
- Lesotho, once called Basutoland, became independent from the United Kingdom on 4 October 1966.
Sources: Wikipedia: Lesotho, Wikipedia: Flag of Lesotho, Wikipedia: Maseru, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Lesotho
- African capitals quiz — match Lesotho to Maseru
- African flags quiz — spot the Lesotho flag among its neighbours
- Landlocked countries quiz — Lesotho has no sea coast
Lesotho capital quiz
What is the capital of Lesotho 🇱🇸?
- Khartoum
- Luanda
- Maseru
- Monrovia
Show answer
Maseru
What is the capital of Gabon 🇬🇦?
- Nouakchott
- Juba
- Libreville
- Ouagadougou
Show answer
Libreville
What is the capital of Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼?
- Libreville
- Antananarivo
- Bissau
- Dakar
Show answer
Bissau
What is the capital of Namibia 🇳🇦?
- Abuja
- Bangui
- Addis Ababa
- Windhoek
Show answer
Windhoek
What is the capital of Botswana 🇧🇼?
- Tunis
- Libreville
- Dodoma
- Gaborone
Show answer
Gaborone
Lesotho in Africa
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Africa is the block Lesotho belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Lesotho.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Lesotho?
The capital of Lesotho is Maseru.
What is the population of Lesotho?
About 2,305,825, making it the 145th most populous country in the world.
How big is Lesotho?
30,355 square kilometres, ranking 138th by land area, at a density of 76.0 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Lesotho use?
The LSL, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Lesotho flag?
The flag of Lesotho is three horizontal stripes of blue, white and green, with a black mokorotlo (a traditional Basotho straw hat) in the centre of the white stripe. Blue stands for rain, white for peace and green for prosperity. The mokorotlo is a national symbol. This version of the flag was introduced in 2006, for 40 years of independence.
Which countries border Lesotho?
Lesotho shares land borders with South Africa. Lesotho is an enclave: South Africa surrounds it on every side, so it is Lesotho's only neighbour.
How can I remember the capital of Lesotho?
Maseru lies on the Caledon River, right on the border with South Africa, so the capital is on the edge of the country that surrounds it. For the flag, picture the Basotho hat sitting on a white cloud between a blue sky and green fields.
More capitals to learn
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