years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 81.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.08 years
male: 50.08 years
female: 54.14 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.32 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)
adjective: Basotho

Ethnic divisions: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans 1,600, Asians 800

Religions: Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefs

Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu,
Xhosa

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 71.3%
male: 81.1%
female: 62.3%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho
conventional short form: Lesotho
former: Basutoland

Data code: LT

Type of government: modified constitutional monarchy

Capital: Maseru

Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe,
Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek,
Quthing, Thaba-Tseka

Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966)

Constitution: 2 April 1993

Legal system: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law;
judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of
Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); the king is
the former Crown Prince David Monato BERENG Seeiso and succeeded his
father King MOSHOESHOE II, who died in an automobile accident on 16
January 1996; King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne (November
1990 to February 1995) while his father was in exile
note: the king is a hereditary monarch, but, under the terms of the
constitution which came into effect after the March 1993 election,
he has no executive or legislative powers; moreover, under
traditional law the king can be elected or deposed by a majority
vote of the College of Chiefs
head of government: Prime Minister Ntsu MOKHEHLE (since 2 April 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of 33 members (the 22 principal chiefs and 11 other
members appointed by the ruling party)
Assembly: members elected by po