These Strange Borders Will Make You Question Everything You Thought You Knew About Geography

5. South Africa and Lesotho

Border: Entirely surrounded by South Africa Area: 909 km* Est. Gross Domestic Product: $5 billion (Lesotho) / $812 billion (South Africa)*

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Being the only nation totally above 1,000 meters, Lesotho, sometimes known as the Kingdom in the Sky, offers a singular geographical phenomenon. Lesotho is fully contained within South African territory, making its border with that country a remarkable example of an enclave. Lesotho's unique arrangement fosters a symbiotic partnership while preserving its political and cultural freedom. Both South Africa and Lesotho ©arclient/Wikimedia Eleven operational road crossings demarcate the border, which serves as a crucial conduit for trade, travel, and cross-cultural interactions between the two countries. Lesotho is surrounded, yet its rough terrain—mountains and rivers—serves as a natural fortress, protecting its independence and producing jaw-dropping vistas that live up to its moniker.