Why is population density especially high in Lesotho's western lowlands?

The high population density in Lesotho's western lowlands is primarily due to historical settlement patterns and the region's geography. Beginning in the 16th century, Sotho-speaking agriculturalists migrated across Southern Africa and settled in the fertile valleys along the Caledon River, establishing a long-standing tradition of farming and village life in that corridor.12

In contrast to the rest of the country, where two-thirds of the land consists of rugged mountains, the western lowlands offer more accessible terrain. Consequently, nearly three-fourths of Lesotho's population resides within this narrow, 25-mile-wide strip. While the mountainous highlands are used for seasonal grazing, the lowlands have historically supported the agricultural needs of the population, leading to the concentration of rural villages and the development of major urban centers, including the capital, Maseru.31