Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$1,500 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

10.7% (2008 est.)

Population

2,130,819

Country Risk Ratings

B

Ease of Doing Business

123/181

Global Competitiveness

3.4/134

Country Map

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Lesotho : Introduction

Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. The Basuto National Party ruled for the first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and was reinstated in 1995. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Botswanan military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Subsequent constitutional reforms restored relative political stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002, but the National Assembly elections of February 2007 were hotly contested and aggrieved parties continue to periodically demonstrate their distrust of the results.

Lesotho: Central Bank of Lesotho

The site of The Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL), which was first established in 1978 as an autonomous institution that formulates and implements the monetary policy of the country. Among its functions, this bank issues currency, serves as a banker for the Lesotho Government and the commercial banks, and supervises financial institutions in the country. This site also offers financial news relevant to Lesotho.

Lesotho: The Lesotho Government Online

The official government website for Lesotho offers information on government structures with the names of the current officials in office. An economic overview is also provided. In addition, the site gives information regarding the tourism industry, education sector, and health service.

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (September 2009)