The most popular geographic fact about Lesotho, apart from its status as an enclave, is that it is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) in elevation.

It is the 141st largest country in the world, with a total land area of 30,355 square kilometres (11,720 sq mi), of which a negligible percentage is covered with water.

[4] Lesotho can be roughly divided into three geographic regions: the lowlands, following the southern banks of the Caledon River, and in the Senqu river valley; the highlands formed by the Drakensberg and Maloti mountain ranges in the east and central parts of the country; and the foothills that form a divide between the lowlands and the highlands.

[7] The Orange River rises in the Drakensberg mountains in northeastern Lesotho and flows across the entire length of the country before exiting to South Africa at the Mohale's Hoek District in the southwest.

[8] Peatlands can be found in the highlands of Lesotho, most extensively in the mountainous escarpment near the country's eastern border.

[9] Solifluction deposits, blockfields, blockstreams and stone garlands can be found across the higher portions of the Lesotho Highlands.

[14] Districts (in alphabetical order): Because of its altitude, the country remains cooler throughout the year than most other regions at the same latitude.

[17] Snow is common in the deserts and low valleys between May and September; the higher peaks can experience occasional significant snowfall year-round.

[22] Other mineral resources include coal, galena, quartz, agate and uranium deposits, but their exploitation is not considered commercially viable.

[23] Much of the population engages in subsistence farming,[24] even though only 10.71% of the country's surface is classified as arable land and 0.13% has permanent crops.

[17] Large tracts of the fertile farmland to the north of the country—in the Free State region of South Africa—were lost to European colonists in wars during the 19th century.