Total Area:30,355 sq km Land Borders:South Africa
Population: 2,022,331
Life Expectancy: 34 years HIV % Total Poulation:28.9%
Ethnic Groups: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%,
Languages:Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa
King:King LETSIE III GDP - Per Capita: $2,500
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 reinstated in 1995. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 7 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. Constitutional reforms have since restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002.