Nepal Location:
Physical. Nepal is located in Southern Asia between China and India. It covers an area slightly larger than Arkansas. The climate varies from cool summers and severe winters in the north to subtropical summers and mild winters in the south. The terrain ranges from the flat river plain of the Ganges in the south, to a central hill region, to the rugged Himalayas in the north. Natural resources include quartz, water, timber, hydropower, and scenic beauty, with small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, and iron ore.
Nepal Geography:
Geography
Area: 140,800 sq km
Capital: Kathmandu (1.5 million)
Environmental concerns: deforestation; contaminated water; wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions
Geographical features: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in the south with a central hill region and Himalayas in the north
Climate: cool summers and severe winters in the north with subtropical summers and mild winters in the south
Nepal People:
People. Almost 28.3 million people inhabit the country. Nepali, the official language, is spoken by 48% of the population with over 30 other major dialects also in use. Nepal is home to Brahman, Newar, Chetri, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Tharu, and other ethnic groups. The religions practiced are Hindu (81%), Buddhism (11%), and Islam (4%).
28,287,000 (July 2006 est.) Chhettri (16%), Brahman-Hill (13%), Magar (7%), Tharu (7%), Tamang (6%), Newar (5%), Muslim, Kami and Yadav (each 4%) other (33%) (2001 census)
Annual growth rate: 2.17% (2006 est.)
Major languages are Nepali (48%), Maithali (12%), Bhojpuri (7%), Tharu (Dagaura/Rana - (6%), Tamang (5%) Newar (4%), Magar (3%), Awadhi (2%), other (10%) (2001 census) (many in government and business also speak English)
Religions: Hindu (81%), Buddhist (11%), Muslim (4%), Kirant (4%) (2001 census) (the only official Hindu state in the world)
Nepal Government:
Government. The country's official name is the Kingdom of Nepal. It is the only official Hindu state in the world. Its capital, Kathmandu, is located in the east-central part of the country. The country declared independence in 1768, and ratified its constitution November 9, 1990. The nation has been a parliamentary democracy since May 12, 1991, with a constitutional monarch. A Maoist insurgency is threatening to bring down the current regime. The king dissolved parliament twice (in 2001 and 2005) and imprisoned party leaders in 2005. After nearly three months of mass protests (organized by the seven-party opposition and the Maoists), the king allowed parliament to reconvene on 28 April 2006.
Nepal is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy.
The chief of state is King Gyandra Bir Bikram Shah (since 4 June 2001). The head of the government is Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (since 30 April 2006).
Universal suffrage 18 years of age
Nepal Communication:
Communication and transportation
417,900 (2004) main telephone lines in use
175,000 (2005) Internet users
15,905 km of roadways
59 km railroads
48 (2005) airports
Nepal Economy:
Economy. Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with nearly half its population living in poverty. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, occupying three-quarters of the workforce and supplying 38% of gross domestic product (GDP). GDP is also comprised of industry (21%) and services (41%). In 1991, the government embarked on reforms that encouraged trade and foreign investment. However, recent political instability has hindered the development of consistent reforms. Security concerns due to the Maoist conflict have led to a decrease in tourism, a key source of foreign exchange. If growth is to continue, finances from the international community, which provides 60% of its development budget, must continue.
Currency: Nepalese rupee
Per capita GDP: $1,400 (2005 est.)
GDP: $39.9 billion (2005 est.)
GDP growth rate: 2.7% (2005 est.)
Inflation rate: 7.8% (October 2005 est.)
Labor force: agriculture (76%), industry (6%) services (18%)
Nepal More Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/nepal
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/nptoc.html | 
