An interesting feature about the Geography of Lesotho is that over 80% of this country is located at a height of 1,800 meters above sea level

The mountainous kingdom of Lesotho is approximately of the same size as Maryland and is a completely landlocked country that is surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. An interesting feature about the Geography of Lesotho is that over 80% of this country is located at a height of 1,800 meters above sea level. Keep reading for more information on Geography of Lesotho.

Fast Facts about Geography of Lesotho

Some interesting facts about Geography of Lesotho are given below:

• Location of Lesotho: It is an enclave in Southern Africa
• Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E
• Map references: Africa
• Total Area: 30,355 km²

Total Land Area: 30,355 km²

Total Area covered by Water:0 km²

Comparative Area: This country is one and a half times the size of Wales. It is slightly smaller in size than Maryland

• Total Land boundaries: 909 km
• Bordering countries of Lesotho: South Africa 909 km
• Total Coastline: 0 km as the country is totally landlocked

Climate: temperate type climate that is characterized by cool to cold and dry winters and hot, wet summers.

Terrain: The topography of Lesotho is mostly marked by highland with plateaus, hills and mountains

Elevation extremes: The lowest point of Lesotho is the junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m and its highest point is Thabana Ntlenyana that lies at an elevation of 3,482 m above the sea level.

Major Natural resources of Lesotho: water, agricultural and grazing land, mining of limited diamonds fields and other minerals.

• Total arable land: 10.71%
• Irrigated land: 10 km²
• Prone to Natural hazards such as periodic droughts

Chief Environmental issues: Population explosion which has resulted in settlement of people in the marginal areas. This in turn has resulted in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, soil exhaustion and desertification. In an attempt to address this burning environmental problem the Highlands Water Project was set up that controls, stores and redirects water to South Africa.

Lesotho is a party to following International Environment agreements: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection.