The Kingdom of Lesotho is situated on a highland plateau entirely within South Africa. The lowest point in the mountainous country is 1,400 meters (4,593 ft) above sea level. It is home to 2.2 million residents, most of them poor, living off the land as farmers. Gathered here are a handful of images from across Lesotho over the past few years.
A herd boy in the mountains ahead of the opening ceremony of the new Sentebale Mateanong Herd Boy School on October 14, 2013 in Mokhotlong, Lesotho. Sentebale provides healthcare and education to the vulnerable children of Lesotho.#
Cattle are seen near snow covered houses at Makopanong village in eastern Lesotho on July 31, 2011. Winter temperatures in the southern African mountain kingdom often fall below freezing, sometimes with heavy snowfall.#
A Chinese construction company works on a mountain near the village of Ha Makhale, carving out the base of what next year will become the 73-meter-high Metolong Dam, on May 24, 2012. Commissioned by Lesotho, financed by Western and Arab agencies, and built by China's Sinohydro Corp, the dam is just one example of the international interest in capitalizing on the crystal-clear water in this tiny mountain kingdom surrounded entirely by South Africa. The building boom has generated billions of dollars in investment, but also changed the landscape and uprooted entire communities.#
Back in 2000, thousands of people attend the Royal Wedding celebration of Lesotho's King Letsie III to his new bride Karabo Motsoeneng in Matsieng, on February 20, 2000.#
Lesotho's King Letsie III with his new wife Karabo Motsoeneng wave to the crowd on the last day of their two day Royal Wedding celebration in Matsieng village, on February 20, 2000. Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy, the King's role is largely ceremonial.#
A bull-taming festival in India, snow-covered desert dunes in China, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia, continued wildfires across Los Angeles, and much more
A snow-and-ice festival in northern China, destructive wildfires in Los Angeles, Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas celebrations in Addis Ababa, an oil spill off the cost of Crimea, and much more
