1999 est.)

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

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

Religions: Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefs

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

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

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho
conventional short form: Lesotho
former: Basutoland

Data code: LT

Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital: Maseru

Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe,
Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohales 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: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996, succeeded to
the throne following the death of his father, King MOSHOESHOE II, on
16 January 1996); note--King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne
(November 1990 to February 1995) while his father was in exile
head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since NA May
1998)
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of
the constitution which came into effect after the March 1993
election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no
executive or legislative powers; under traditional law the college
of chiefs has the power to determine who is next in the line of
succession, who shall serve as regent in the event that the
successor is not of mature age, and may even depose the monarch

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate
(33 members--22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by
the ruling party) and the Assembly (80 seats; members elected by
popular vote for five-year terms); note--number of seats in the
Assembly rose from 65 to 80 in the May 1998 election
elections: last held 23 May 1998 (next to be held in late 1999 or
early 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party--