When thinking of the world’s highest county, more mountainous regions such as Switzerland and Nepal may be the obvious choice. However, Lesotho in Africa has an average altitude exceeding 1,000 meters across the entire nation.
Lesotho is a beautiful landlocked country located within South Africa. This small circular state holds the title of the highest country as no part of it descends below 1,400 meters, more than Switzerland.
Although it is not the most mountainous country globally, it is indeed the highest. So much so that in popular culture it has been given the name “The Kingdom in the Sky.”
Beyond figures, Lesotho is also a natural paradise with vast landscapes and a unique ecosystem. The underrated travel destination is a contrast to elsewhere in southern Africa – it’s a nation of blue skies, massive mountains, horse trekking and impressive national parks.
The scenic land of tall mountains and narrow valleys homes 2.2 million people. Many of the villages can be reached only on horseback, by foot or light aircraft.
The Maluti Mountains in Lesotho extend north and south. They form a high plateau from 9,000 to 10,000 ft in height. The highest point is the mountain Thabana Ntlenyana (11,425ft) in the east. The rich volcanic soils of the foothills and mountains are some of the best in the country.
The highest peak on the planet, however, does not lie in Lesotho, but in perhaps the more obvious prediction of Nepal. Apart from the Himalayan range, the rest of its territory is fairly low, reaching only 60 meters above sea level.
To be considered a high country, the territory must have an overall high average altitude.
Spain, for example, is at 660 meters above sea level. It is quite a mountainous country and one of the highest in Europe. Switzerland would be at an average of 1,350 meters above sea level. However, there is only one country in the world where its entire territory is above 1,000 meters, which is Lesotho.