Lesotho is the only sovereign country completely surrounded by South Africa.
Lesotho is a mountainous, landlocked kingdom in southern Africa. It is an enclave within South Africa, meaning every part of its international boundary touches the same neighbouring country. The country’s capital and largest city is Maseru, located near the western border.
The modern state developed from the kingdom founded by Moshoeshoe I in the early nineteenth century. It became a British protectorate known as Basutoland and gained independence as the Kingdom of Lesotho on 4 October 1966. Lesotho retained a monarchy, with an elected government operating under a constitutional system.
Eswatini is also a small monarchy in southern Africa, but it borders both South Africa and Mozambique, so it is not completely surrounded by South Africa. Botswana and Namibia likewise have separate international borders. Lesotho’s high elevation has earned it the nickname “Kingdom in the Sky,” and its lowest point is still higher than that of any other country.