Journey to the Kingdom of Lesotho - Kingdom of Heaven

• Journey to the Kingdom of Lesotho - the Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of Lesotho - 'kingdom of heaven', the only country in the world, the whole area of ​​which is over 1400 meters above sea level. This is one of the smallest countries in Africa.

The Kingdom of Lesotho - an enclave, completely surrounded by the territory of the Republic of South Africa. Thus Lesotho, along with the Vatican and San Marino is one of the three independent states in the world, surrounded by the territory of only one country.

The early population of Lesotho consisted of hunters and gatherers who spoke Khoisan languages. Came from the north in the 17th century, Bantu pushed the indigenous people of the Kalahari Desert.

On the territory of 30 355 square meters. km. The Kingdom of Lesotho is one of the smallest countries in Africa. It is the capital of the country - the city of Maseru.

The lowest point located in the Orange Lesotho and Makhaleng confluence area (1400 m), the highest point is Mount Thabana Ntlenyana (3482 m). Due to the high altitude country is often called "the kingdom in heaven" or "kingdom of heaven".

In Lesotho, rare trees, the most common herbaceous vegetation. In the highlands of sparse vegetation gives way to subalpine meadows.

The true pride of Lesotho - it is the presence of snow. This unusual phenomenon in Africa can only be in Lesotho. Have often heard stories about the blizzard and huge snowdrifts, but as it turned snow fall sometimes, and melts within a few days.

Two diamond tube Lesotho - Letseng La Tera and Kao - among the ten largest in the world, in the first of these large jewelry of the highest quality diamonds are found.

Portrait near the diamond mine, 31 July 2011.

Lesotho kingdom Landscapes, February 23, 2013.

The construction of 73-meter-high dam, May 24, 2012.

Another Dam in Lesotho, on December 11, 2005. The second largest in Africa.

According to the current 1993 Constitution of Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy, a constitutional monarch and head of state is the king.

King Letsie III and his wife.

According to the latest estimates of the rate of HIV infection in Lesotho reaches 29%, and the UN predicts it will grow in 15 years to 36%, which will lead to a drastic reduction in life expectancy. In 2001 life expectancy was 48 years for men and 56 for women.

In Lesotho, 85% of the population 15 years and older are literate. Thus, Lesotho has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa.

Drakensberg.

The tourists from all over the world attracted by the picturesque deep canyons, majestic waterfalls, fascinating fishing. Every year this country in southern Africa, visited by more than 250 thousand foreign tourists.

Capital - the city of Maseru.

The artificial lake in front of the dam, February 17, 2010.

Not bad road.

Drakensberg Mountains - mountain system located in the territory of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Most of Gore included in the Drakensberg Park - a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.