Maseru

Capital of Lesotho, on the Caledon River at the border with Free State in South Africa; population (2002 est) 169,200 (city), 483,100 (urban area). Founded in 1869 by the Basotho chief Mshweshwe I, it is a centre for trade in livestock, wool, hides, and grain, and for light manufacturing and food processing. The city, which retained its position as capital at independence in 1966, is the home of Lesotho Agricultural College (1955), and the National University of Lesotho (1975) is at nearby Roma.