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Lesotho (/lɪˈsuːtuː/ ⓘ lih-SOO-too,[6][7] Sotho pronunciation: [lɪˈsʊːtʰʊ]), formally the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. As an enclave of South Africa, with which it shares a 1,106 km (687 mi) border,[8] it is the only sovereign enclave in the world outside of the Italian Peninsula. It is situated in the Maloti Mountains and contains the highest peak in Southern Africa.[9] It has an area of over 30,000 km2 (11,600 sq mi) and has a population of about two million. It is the largest enclaved country in the world. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. The country is also known by the nickname The Mountain Kingdom.[10]

From Wikipedia

General information

Representation of (tentative) African heritage sites on the World Heritage List which is maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).UNESCO World Heritage List
The African Union (AU) was founded in 1999 with the goal of accelerating the process of integration in the continent, to enable it play its rightful role in the global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems compounded as they are by certain negative aspects of globalisation. African Union member
A website with entries on Lesotho, its people, history and language, including a English-Sotho wordlist.Lesotho from A to Z
LCN is an umbrella body of NGOs in Lesotho that offers support through leadership training, information dissemination, capacity building, coordination, advocacy and representation when dealing with the government and the international community. Its newsletter is downloadable.Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (LCN)
ecoi.net, the country of origin information system of the Austrian Red Cross’ department ACCORD, aims at contributing to fair and efficient refugee status determination procedures by securing easy and fast access to high-quality and up-to-date country of origin information (COI) for all actors involved in asylum cases.ACCORD country of origin information

Government, law, politics and elections

FAOLEX is a database of national legislation, policies and bilateral agreements on food, agriculture and natural resources management. The FAO Legal Office also collaborates with other FAO and non-FAO initiatives by facilitating the integration of FAOLEX data into separate platforms or by the systematic exchange and linking of information.FAOLEX associated databases
The Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa (ICLA) is a research institute located in the Faculty of Law of the University of Pretoria. The ICLA was established at the beginning of 2011. Drawing on the extensive networks that the Faculty has established over many years in Africa and beyond, the objective of the ICLA is to become a first port of call for those who wish to engage in legal research and legal reform in Africa involving comparative or international law at the advanced level. ICLA offers country reports in PDF format. Institute for Intl. and Comparative Law in Africa
A directory of embassies worldwide.Embassy Worldwide
Gazettes.Africa is the largest digital collection of free African Gazettes. Gazettes.Africa
The African Legal Information Institute (AfricanLII) is a project of the Democratic Governance and Rights Unit (DGRU) at the Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town. It was incubated at the Southern Africa Litigation Center (SALC). AfricanLII's main goal is to promote Free Access to Law and Open Justice in Africa. AfricanLii access to law
The World Legal Information Institute (WorldLII) is a free, independent and non-profit global legal research facility. WorldLII provides a single search facility for databases; the WorldLII Catalog provides links to over 15,000 law-related web sites in every country in the world. WorldLii legal information
UN ILO Database of national labour, social security and related human rights legislation.Intl. Labour Organization NATLEX database

Crisis, conflict, security

Stratfor is a geopolitical intelligence platform that brings global events into valuable perspective. Worldview is the primary source for Stratfor’s published geopolitical analyses and forecasting. Stratfor Worldview
The Africa Center is a U.S. Department of Defense institution established and funded by Congress for the study of security issues relating to Africa and serving as a forum for bilateral and multilateral research, communication, training, and exchange of ideas involving military and civilian participants. Its mission is to advance African security by expanding understanding, providing a trusted platform for dialogue, building enduring partnerships, and catalyzing strategic solutions.Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Established in Washington, D.C., over 50 years ago, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to providing strategic insights and policy solutions to help decisionmakers chart a course toward a better world.Center for Strategic and International Studies
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher dedicated to being a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries. Council on Foreign Relations
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is an African non-profit organisation with offices in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Senegal. It partners to build knowledge and skills that secure Africa’s future. It's goal is to enhance human security as a means to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity. The topics ISS covers through research, policy advice and training are listed here, alongside the regions making up the continent. Select one or more topic and region to access results of our work that interest you.Institute for Security Studies
Crisis24 Security risk management country reports (private company).Crisis24 Security risk management
The Global Observatory provides timely analysis on peace and security issues by experts, journalists, and policymakers. It is published by the International Peace Institute. The views expressed here represent those of the contributors and not IPI.IPI Global Observatory
Provides the current travel advice of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Dutch). Reisadviezen Rijksoverheid (Dutch)

Human rights

From villages in rural India to the corridors of power in Brussels, Transparency International gives voice to the victims and witnesses of corruption. We work together with governments, businesses and citizens to stop the abuse of power, bribery and secret deals.Transparency International

Economy

The legal currency used in this country (Wikipedia).National currency (Wiki)
The Central Bank of this country.National Central Bank
The Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI) is an intergovernmental organisation that provides a platform for peer learning and exchange for African ministries of finance, budget and planning. The Budgets in Africa section provides up-to-date and regular information on African national budgets. Here you will be able to access publicly available budget documentation for African countries, since 2010.Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative
The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) is an online data visualization and distribution platform focused on the geography and dynamics of economic activities. The OEC integrates and distributes data from a variety of sources to empower analysts in the private sector, public sector, and academia. Use Tools > Map to find export and import per country, or go to Profiles > Countries > International Organizations to see information about African economic, trade and development communities: CEN-SAD, ECOWAS, COMESA, SADC, ECCAS, and IGAD.Observatory of Economic Complexity
The CCBG consists of 15 Governors from the SADC (Southern African Development Community) central banks. The CCBG deals with the development of financial institutions and markets, co‑operation regarding international and regional financial relations, and monetary, investment and foreign exchange policies. Committee of Central Bank Governors in SADC

Development

The Indices of Social Development (ISD) hosted by ISS brings together 200 indicators, synthesising them into a usable set of measures to track how different societies perform along six dimensions of social development (data available for download as .slx, .csv, or .odf)ISS Indices of Social Development
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level. Brookings brings together more than 300 leading experts in government and academia from all over the world who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis on a full range of public policy issues. The research agenda and recommendations of Brookings’s experts are rooted in open-minded inquiry and our 300+ scholars represent diverse points of view. Research topics cover foreign policy, economics, development, governance and metropolitan policy. Brookings Institution
SciDev.Net is the world’s leading source of reliable and authoritative news, views and analysis about science and technology for global development. Our Mission is to use independent journalism to help individuals and organisations apply science to decision-making in order to drive equitable, sustainable development and poverty reduction. SciDev.Net is part of CAB International (CABI) - a not-for-profit organisation that improves people’s lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment.SciDev.net
This Anti-Corruption Platform for Sub-Saharan Africa provides a platform to showcase civil society organizations working on anti-corruption, in particular through activities around UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and its review process.Africa Anti-Corruption platform
Working primarily in the global South, IIED has been applying original thinking to sustainable development issues – linking local priorities to global challenges – for more than 50 years.Intl. Institute for Environment and Development
The Commission's Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) is responsible for designing European international cooperation and development policy and delivering aid throughout the world.EC International Cooperation and Development
International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) is a global initiative to improve the transparency of development and humanitarian resources and their results to address poverty and crises.International Aid Transparency Initiative
LNDC is the main parastatal charged with implementing industrial development policies in Lesotho.Lesotho National Development Corporation

Sustainable Development Goals

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics has released a new data browser for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) data. The browser allows users to view data and metadata from 2000 to 2023 in easy-to-navigate dashboards; to copy, print or download data in various formats (csv, Excel, pdf); to search for key words within the filtered dataset. Go to 'Country profile' and select a country to generate and download a complete country profile (PDF).UNESCO SDG4 Data explorer

Food, water, land and health

The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) has reported country, regional and global estimates of progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) since 1990. The JMP maintains an extensive global database and has become the leading source of comparable estimates of progress at national, regional and global levels. JMP Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene
The UNEP-DHI Partnership is a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) centre of expertise dedicated to improving the management, development and use of freshwater resources from the local to the global level. UNEP-DHI Publications
The FAO Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profiles provide a comprehensive overview of the fisheries and aquaculture sector for each country (or areas/territories recognized by the Organization and with important fishery sector).FAO Statistics Fishery and Aquaculture
Learn about the land governance context in various countries. Besides a comprehensive description, you will find links to publications, news, blogs and more related resources. The country portfolios are developed by a team of researchers and peer-reviewed by highly experienced land specialists in each country.Land Portal Foundation country profiles
Part of the World Health Organization's website, with statistical information, health profiles, WHO collaboration, mortality and burden of disease, nutrition and risk factors. UN World Health Organization
UNFPA works in more than 150 countries and territories that are home to the vast majority of the world’s people. Its mission: to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. This website provides data on population, pregnancy, birth, health and more.UN Population Fund
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. Established in 1975, IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 50 countries. It is a research center of CGIAR, a worldwide partnership engaged in agricultural research for development.Intl. Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
The Global Health Observatory theme pages provide data and analyses on global health priorities. Each theme page provides information on global situation and trends highlights, using core indicators, database views, major publications and links to relevant web pages on the theme.WHO Global Health Observatory
The DHS Program provides decision makers and program managers with the information necessary to plan, monitor and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programs.USAID Democratic and Health Surveys
UNAIDS is leading the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.UN Aids

Climate, environment, energy and resources

The Africa Energy Portal (AEP) is a one-stop-shop for energy sector news, insights, data and more. Launched in November 2018, the AEP focuses exclusively on Africa, serving as a repository for accurate and relevant information and data across the energy value chain. Africa Energy Portal
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.International Renewable Energy Agency
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA), in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), have developed an ATLAS OF AFRICA ENERGY RESOURCES to graphically illustrate where the resources are, where the potential for expansion occurs and what the possible impacts on the environment could be. It provides visual information on the challenges and opportunities to providing Africa’s population with access to reliable, a fordable and modern energy services. Atlas of Africa Energy Resources
The USGS annual reviews from the 'Minerals Yearbook Volume III: Area Reports-International-Africa and the Middle East' are designed to provide timely statistical data on mineral commodities in various countries. Each report includes sections on government policies and programs, environmental issues, trade and production data, industry structure and ownership, commodity sector developments, infrastructure, and a summary outlook.US Geological Survey Minerals Information
Launched at the G8 Gleneagles Summit in 2005, the role of the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA) is to help improve the lives and economic well-being of millions of Africa’s people through encouraging, supporting and promoting increased investment in infrastructure in Africa, from both public and private sources. With a focus on regional programmes and initiatives, the ICA helps to facilitate infrastructure development in the water, transport, energy and ICT sectors. Infrastructure Consortium for Africa

Other data and statistics

UNCTADSTAT country profiles are selections of key economic statistics by country. They include a wide range of internationally comparable indicators allowing users to compare statistics across countries. The maritime profiles provide a basic snapshot of a country's situation regarding maritime transport and international trade, facilitating convenient cross-country comparisons.UNCTAD statistics maritime profiles
Walk Free is an international human rights group focussed on the eradication of modern slavery, in all its forms, in our lifetime. Global Slavery Index
Internet usage statistics for every country in the world.Internet World Stats
DataReportal is designed to help people and organisations all over the world to find the data, insights, and trends they need to make more informed decisions. Datareportal Global Digital Insights
The database currently contains data about UNHCR's populations of concern from the year 1951 up to 2017 and you can use it to investigate different aspects of these populations: their general composition by location of residence or origin, their status (refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, etc.), their evolution over time, and so on.UNHCR Population Statistics
The Population Reference Bureau (USA) analyzes demographic data and research to provide objective, accurate, and up-to-date population information in accessible formats.Population Reference Bureau Intl. data
The use of public-private partnerships to design, build and deliver infrastructure worldwide has grown significantly in the past decade. Yet the availability of reliable information to help governments and advisors design and deliver projects well, has lagged behind. The PPP Knowledge Lab brings together the most relevant and authoritative resources on public-private partnerships in one location to empower governments and their advisors to design and deliver best in class infrastructure projects. Public-Private Infrastructure Partnerships
The Global Infrastructure Hub aims at connecting the global infrastructure community and sharing insights to facilitate delivery of G20 members’ economic, social and environmental outcomes through more and better infrastructure. The GI Hub works with public and private sectors globally to increase the flow and quality of infrastructure projects around the world. We share data, knowledge and leading practices, and help the public and private sectors work more closely to deliver crucial public infrastructure projects.Infrastructure Knowledge Exchange

Map of Lesotho
Lesotho on Google maps

Publications

The Dag Hammarskjöld Library provides research and information to support the work of United Nations Member States. As an integral part of the UN Organization, the Library also aids in the dissemination of UN information to a wider public audience through online services, and a global depository library network.UN Dag Hammerskjöld Library
Provides access to the research output of university staff and students. National University of Lesotho Institutional Repository
A list of free, Africa-related journals, provided by the ASCL Library.Free Africa-related journals
Writing Help for Academic Essays and Research Papers. Explore IPL's repository of 500,000+ essays across thousands of topics to help you finish your homework.Internet Public Library
The Fachinformationsdienst Romanistik (FID) has been operated jointly by the Bonn University and State Library and the Hamburg State and University Library since January 1, 2016. In addition to the acquisition of primary sources and research literature, the focus of the project funded by the DFG is the development of additional services to support scientists in the areas of literature research, research data management and open access publishing, among other things.Fachinformationsdienst Romanistik (DE)

Education

The website of the Association of African Universities.Association of African Universities
The AAU (Association of African Universities) TV is your one stop place for all information on Higher Education in Africa. We bring you news spanning the continent and beyond as well as intriguing discussions and interviews on the AAU Talks. We also give you an insight into the wonderful universities in Africa as well as some documentaries.AAU TV Talks and Documentaries
The UINESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) Global Education Database provides internationally comparable data on all levels of education for more than 200 countries and territories.UIS Global Education Database
The HAQAA (Harmonisation of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation) Initiative, funded by the European Union in partnership with the African Union, has been established to support the development of a harmonised quality assurance and accreditation system at institutional level, national, regional and Pan-African continental level. The Initiative is currently being implemented by a consortium consisting of the University of Barcelona (coordinator), the Association of African Universities (AAU), the European University Association (EUA), the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Education Quality Assurance initiative
The International Bibliographic Database on Higher Education (HEDBIB) is a unique resource of references and publications on higher education systems, administration, planning, policy and evaluation from around the world. Links to electronic publications are provided where freely available. New higher education publications are identified by the IAU Information Centre monitoring team. Bibliographic Database on Higher Education
Education Sub-Saharan Africa was founded in 2016 to join up, inform, inspire, focus and increase impact for everyone investing in education in sub-Saharan Africa. African Education Research Database
University World News is the first high-quality truly international newspaper and website, dedicated to providing such coverage. Supported by some of the world’s most experienced education journalists, and aimed at higher education readers worldwide, it is offering a weekly emailed newspaper plus access to a dedicated news website – free of charge. University World News comprises a network of some five dozen education journalists based in more than two dozen countries, with representation in all regions. Our journalists are respected senior reporters who have been prolifically published in international and national newspapers and magazines. University World News
The UNESCO World Inequality Database on Education (WIDE) brings together data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), other national household surveys and learning assessments from over 160 countries. Users can compare education outcomes between countries, and between groups within countries, according to factors that are associated with inequality, including wealth, gender, and ethnicity and location. Users can also create maps, charts, infographics and tables from the data, and download, print or share them online.World Inequality Database on Education
UNESCO website dedicated to education in Africa, with blogs, links to databases, information on SDG4.UNESCO Education in Africa
Museums in Africa on Wikipedia.Museums in Africa (Wiki)

Movies and images

The South Africa Quilt History Project (SAQHP) is a trans-national research project to facilitate a network of individuals and institutions committed to creating access to digital texts and images related to South Africa's rich heritage of quiltmaking. Part of the Michigan State University (MSU) Matrix project. South Africa Quilt History Project