Also known by the name of the river that fringes the north and south of the town (Hlotse), little, laid-back Leribe is the place to go for a glimpse of authentic Basotho life.
Set right on the Lesotho-South Africa border in the north of the country, its wide, sun-baked streets are lined with low-rise shacks and tin homes.
Some draws include the local marketplace, the Leribe Craft Center (loaded with handmade fabrics and wools), and one or two historic wartime lookout points (dating from the years of English colonialism). There are also English-style statues peppering the squares and a pretty Anglican church to see.
Leribe is a district of Lesotho. It has an area of 2,828 km2 and a population in 2016 of approximately 337,500. Hlotse is the capital or camptown of the district. The district has one additional town, namely Maputsoe. In the west, Leribe borders on the Free State Province of South Africa. Domestically, it borders Butha-Buthe District in the north, Mokhotlong District in the east, Thaba-Tseka District in southeast and Berea District in southwest.
As of 2006, the district had a population of 293,369 which was 15.63 per cent of the total population of the country. As of 2008, 48% of the population in the district were economically active. There were 191,052 employed people out of a total of 401,258 people in the district above 15 years of age.
As of 2006, the district had a population of 293,369, 15.63 per cent of the population of the country. The area of the district is 2,828 km2, 9.32% of the total area of the country. The population density in the district was 104 persons per square kilometre, compared to 62 for the country. There were thirteen constituencies and eighteen community councils in the district.
In the west, Leribe borders on the Free State Province of South Africa. Domestically, it borders on the following districts: Butha-Buthe District in the north, Mokhotlong District in the east, Thaba-Tseka District in southeast and Berea District in southwest. The Western districts of Lesotho has a predominantly low land zone with an elevation of 1,500 m (4,900 ft) to 1,800 m (5,900 ft) above the sea level. These lands are the major agricultural zones in the country. The average annual rainfall in the country is 100 cm (39 in), most of which is received during the rainy season of October to April. Though it rains during all the months of the year, groundwater is limited on account of run-offs. The region has a temperate climate on account of the elevation and is humid during most parts of the year. The temperature in the low lands vary from 32 °C (90 °F) to −7 °C (19 °F) in the winter
