Lesotho at a glanceCapital: MaseruArea: 30,355 sq. km Population: 1.9 million Adult literacy: 74.5% male and 94.5% female Per capita: US$ 3,200 / annum Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Religion: Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20% Life expectancy: 36.7 years Beginning in 1868 Lesotho was under British rule as the protectorate of Basutoland. Lesotho gained independence in October 1966. Today Lesothohas an economy based largely on agriculture, especially livestock, but the country also has increasingly relies on the growing industries of farm-based and textile manufacturing for revenues. Lesotho’s trade relationship with South Africa also provides customs duties and remittances. Though relatively economically successful, Lesotho suffers from high level of socio-economic inequality and a high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 28.9% of the country’s adult population, which will require the help of international aid donors. Sources:
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