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Lesotho

 

Contents

today's Flags

historical Flags

Meaning/Origin of the Flag

Coat of Arms

Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

Aircraft Roundel

Map

Numbers and Facts

History



today's Flags

Flagge Fahne national flag Nationalflagge Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
National flag,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia.de





Flagge Fahne flag König King Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
Flag of the King,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia.de




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historical Flags

Flagge Fahne flag Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
1868–1966,
National flag – The British Union Jack,
ratio = 3:5,
Source, by: Flags of the World




Flagge Fahne flag Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho Hoher Kommissar High Commissioner
1907–1931,
Flag of the High Commissioner,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World




Flagge Fahne flag Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho Hoher Kommissar High Commissioner
1931–1968,
Flag of the High Commissioner,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World




Flagge Fahne flag Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho Resident Commissioner
1951–1966,
Flag of the Resident Commissioner,
ratio = 1:2




Flagge Fahne flag Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
1951–1966,
unofficial national flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: World Statesmen




Flagge Fahne flag Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
1966–1987,
National flag,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia.de





Flagge Fahne flag Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
1987–2006,
National flag,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia.de




Flagge Fahne flag König King Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
1987–2006,
Flag of the King,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia.de



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Meaning/Origin of the Flag

The today’s flag of Lesotho was – by informations of Wikipedia.de – adoped on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the independence on the 4th of October in 2006. The flag shows three horizontal stripes in the ratio 3:4:3 in blue, white and green, however the white middle stripe is widen a little bit. In its middle is placed a black Basuto hat. The three colours of the flag refer (like in the 1987–2006 used flag) to the national motto ("peace, rain, prosperity "), white stands for peace, blue for rain and green for the fruitfulness of the country and the prosperity. The colours of the flag of Lesotho are now given as follows, in addition to black and white: Blue = hexadecimal #00209F, which would correspond to Pantone Reflex Blue, Green = hexadecimal #009543, which would correspond to Pantone 355.

As a British protectorate Basuto Land – how Lesotho was named at that time – really never had an own flag. There was to use the British Union Jack. Pretended there was already unofficially in use since 1951 a Blue Ensign as national flag. It should have shown the badge of the country – a green shield with a golden wool-wad, two golden wheat sheafs and a crocodile on it – in the middle of a white disk in the flying end of that flag.

The British High Commissioner had his own flag since 1907. It was the for the High Commissioners usual flag, the British Union Jack with the badge of the High Commissioner in the middle, an abbreviation with the British Crown above, surrounded by a garland. Until 1931 the British High Commissioner in and for South Africa (abbreviation: S.A.H.C.) was responsible for Basuto Land. After the Statute of Westminster South Africa in 1931 became independent, and the High Commissioner was responsible only for Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland (abbreviation H.C). In 1953 was only changed the shape of the crown.

The in context with the independence on the 4th of October in 1966 adoped and until 1987 valid flag showed the four colours of the at that time governing National Party (BNP): Blue, red and green with a white Basuto cap in the blue field.

The between the 19th of January 1987 and the 4th of October 2006 used flag was diagonally striped. It showed a white field to the left above and a green field on the right below, separated by a blue stripe along the diagonal. In the white field was positioned a brown shield with arms, the coat of arms in a stylized form. The three colours of the flag refered (like in the today's flag) to the national motto ("peace, rain, wealth"), white stands for peace, blue for the rain and green for the fruitfulness of the country and the wealth. The shield in the upper staff quadrant of the flag symbolizes – like in the coat of arms – the readiness for defence of the country. This flag was hoisted for the first time on 19th of January in 1987.

Source: Wikipedia.de, Wikipedia.en, World Statesmen, Die Welt der Flaggen

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Coat of Arms


Wappen coat of arms Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
since 2006,
coat of arms of Lesotho


Wappen coat of arms Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
1966–2006,
coat of arms of Lesotho


Wappen coat of arms Lesotho Basutoland Sesotho
1951–1966,
coat of arms of Lesotho

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Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms was adoped on the occasion of the independence on 4th of October on 1966, and it was possibliy in 2006 changed a little bit in the colours. It shows on a Basuto Shield a crocodile, the symbol of the dynasty and of the primary tribe of Lesotho. Behind the shield two crossed arms of the 19th century. The shield holders are two Basuto horses. The cantilever of the coat of arms is the peak of the "national mountain" Thababosiu. In the foreground om a banner the motto of the monarchy in Sesotho language and in red letters: "Khotso, Pula, Nala" → "Peace, Rain, Wealth".

Source: Flaggen Wappen Hymnen

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Aircraft Roundel


Aircraft Roundel Lesotho
Aircraft Roundel,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)

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Map


Quelle/Source: CIA World Factbook


Quelle/Source: CIA World Factbook

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Numbers and Facts

Area: 11.720 square miles

Inhabitants: 2.100.000 (2019), thereof 99% Basutho (Basotho), 1% Zulu, Xhosa, Europeans, Asians

Religions: 45% Roman Catholic, 40% Protestant

Density of Population: 179 inh./sq.mi.

Capital: Maseru 330.760 inh. (2016)

official Language: English, Sesotho

other Languages: Zulu, Afrikaans

1st Currency: 1 Loti (LSL, M) = 100 Lisente, plural: 2 Maloti = 200 Lisente

2nd Currency: 1 South African Rand (ZAR, R) = 100 Cents

Time Zone: GMT + 2 h

Source: Wikipedia (D)

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History

1820 · the Zulu-King Tshaka conquers South Africa, escape of the Bantu nations, nascence of the Basuto-Kingdom in the mountains of South Africa

1868 · the Basuto-Kingdom begs United Kingdom for protection against the unfurling Boers (the white Boers settle since 1652 in South Africa, and have been in escape since 1806 in long trails from the continuous extending of the British colonial system → Boer Republics), United Kingdom establishs the Protectorate of Basuto Land

1871 · Basuto Land becomes incorporated to the British Cape Colony

1884 · after riotings Basuto Land becomes excorporated out of the British Cape Colony, and subordinated directly under the administration of the British Colonial Office

1958 · constitution

1960 · initial elections of parliament

1964 · South Africa claimes Basuto Land for the time after its upcoming independence

15th of may 1964 · new constitution, internal self government

1965 · elections of parliament

4th of October 1966 · independence as Kingdom of Lesotho

1967 · reform of constitution, the rights of the King become restricted

1970 · constitution out of force, interdiction of parties, establishment of a presidial dictatorship

1974 · uprising

1980 · military campaigns of South Africa in Lesotho against the ANC

1986 · military coup d'état

1991 · stop of the interdiction of parties

1993 · end of the military dictatorship, elections of parliament, new constitution

1998 · elections of parliament, mass demonstrations, attempt to putsch by the armed forces, invasion of troops from Botsuana and South Africa

2001 · withdrawal of the troops from Botswana and South Africa

2014 · military coup attempt

Source: Atlas zur Geschichte, Wikipedia (D), Discovery '97

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