Lesotho civics quiz: questions and answers
All 15 general civics quiz questions about Lesotho with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Government and law 5 questions
Lesotho's constitutional monarchy, the National Assembly and Senate, and the official languages.
Practise only: Government and law →
What is the capital city of Lesotho?
Maseru
Maseru, on the Mohokare (Caledon) River, is Lesotho's capital and largest city.
What form of government does Lesotho have?
Constitutional monarchy
Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy: the King is head of state and the Prime Minister leads the government.
Which two houses make up Lesotho’s Parliament?
The National Assembly and the Senate
Lesotho's Parliament consists of an elected National Assembly and a Senate.
Which traditional leaders hold seats in Lesotho’s Senate?
The principal chiefs
The Senate is made up of the principal chiefs together with senators nominated by the King on the advice of the Council of State.
What are the official languages of Lesotho?
Sesotho and English
Sesotho and English are the official languages of Lesotho.
History 5 questions
King Moshoeshoe I, Thaba Bosiu, the Basutoland era and independence on 4 October 1966.
On what date did Lesotho become independent?
4 October 1966
Lesotho became independent from Britain on 4 October 1966, celebrated each year as Independence Day.
Who founded the Basotho nation?
King Moshoeshoe I
Moshoeshoe I brought together different groups in the early 19th century to form the Basotho nation.
Which mountain stronghold was Moshoeshoe I’s capital?
Thaba Bosiu
Thaba Bosiu, a flat-topped mountain near Maseru, was Moshoeshoe I's fortress and is where he is buried.
What was Lesotho called before independence?
Basutoland
Lesotho was the British territory of Basutoland until it became independent in 1966.
On which date is Moshoeshoe’s Day celebrated?
11 March
Moshoeshoe's Day on 11 March honours the founder of the nation, who died on that date in 1870.
Geography, culture and symbols 5 questions
Maseru, the highlands and Thabana Ntlenyana, the loti, the Basotho hat on the flag and Katse Dam.
Practise only: Geography, culture and symbols →
Lesotho is completely surrounded by which country?
South Africa
Lesotho is an enclave: it lies entirely within South Africa.
What is the highest point in Lesotho?
Thabana Ntlenyana
Thabana Ntlenyana, in the Maloti-Drakensberg range, is the highest point in Lesotho and in southern Africa.
What is the currency of Lesotho?
Loti (plural maloti)
Lesotho's currency is the loti, plural maloti, which is linked to the South African rand.
What symbol appears in the centre of Lesotho’s flag?
A black Basotho hat (mokorotlo)
The flag has blue, white and green stripes with a black mokorotlo, the traditional Basotho hat, in the centre.
Which large dam is a key part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project?
Katse Dam
Katse Dam, on the Malibamatso River, is one of the main dams of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
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