Nepal

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is located in South Asia, bordering China to the north and by India to the south, east and west. Mount Everest is Nepal’s and the world’s hightest mountain while Nepal is the home of Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu mountains, which are listed among the ten highest mountains in the world. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. In 2008, ending the centuries-old monarchy, a republic is established in Nepal.

HISTORY:- In 563 B.C, Gautama Buddha was born in the region. The Gopalas, the Kiratis, the Licchavis and the Mallas ruled Nepal until 18th century. King Prithvi Narayan Shah unified Nepal in 1768. Nepal signed a commercial treaty with the British East India Company in 1792 and in 1816. Between 1846 and 1951, Nepal was governed by the Rana family. In 1923, Nepal became independent from Britain. Nepalese Congress Party formed a government in the same year, declaring Nepal a constitutional monarchy. Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah ascended the throne in 1955. He was succeeded by his son Prince Birendra in 1972. In 1991, first democratic elections were held and were won by Nepali Congress Party. Around 1996, a guerrilla movement seeking communism broke out. Crown Prince Dipendra shot King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other kins in 2001 before shooting himself. Prince Gyanendra, the brother of Dipendra assumed the throne in the same year. In 2002, King Gyanendra dismissed the government for its corruption. After a state of emergency, government declare ceasefire in 2003. A unilateral cease-fire was declared by the Maoists. In 2006, 10-year guerrilla movement was ended by signing a peace agreement between the Maoist rebels and the government. In 2007, the Maoists joined the interim government but quit shortly. In 2008, monarchy was ended and Nepal became a republic. Ram Baran became the first president of Nepal.

GEOGRAPHY:- Nepal is located at 28 00 N, 84 00 E in Southern Asia, spanning across total 147,181 sq km area. Nepal is a landlocked country, bordering China and India. The lowest point is Kanchan Kalan (70 m) while the highest point is Mount Everest (8,850 m). Nepal’s terrain is varied from the tarai or flat river plains of the Ganges in the south, to the central hilly region, to rugged Himalayas in the north.

CLIMATE:- The climate of Nepal varies from cool summers to chilling winters in the north to subtropical summers and mild winters in the south.

GOVERNMENT:- Nepal has a democratic republic. A new interim constitution was promulgated in 2007. The legal system is based on the Hindu decorum and the English common law. The three major branches of the government are:

Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and cabinet. The president is elected by the Parliament. The Prime minister appoints the cabinet ministers.

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Constituent Assembly (601 seats).

Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, 16 appellate courts, and 75 district courts.

Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist, Madhesi People's Rights Forum, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Sadhbavana Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party are the major political parties of Nepal. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.

President   Ram Baran Yadav

Vice President   Parmanand Jha

Prime Minister  Girija Prasad Koirala

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Nepal is divided into 14 zones and 75 districts.

CULTURE:- Nepali cuisine is mainly based on Indian dishes. The Newar community has rich cultural heritage in music and dances.

ECONOMY:- Nepal is one of the poorest and least developed nations in the world. More than 33% population lives below poverty line, while 75% of the population depends on agriculture. Agriculture provides 38% of total GDP.

GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $29.04 billion; per capita $1,200.

Real growth rate: 2.5%.

Inflation: 6.4%.

Unemployment: 42% (2004 est.).

Arable land: 16%.

Agriculture: Rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat.

Labor force: 11.11 million; note: severe lack of skilled labor (2004 est.); agriculture 76%, industry 6%, services 18%.

Industries: Tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production.

Natural resources: Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore.

Exports: $830 million f.o.b. (2006 est.), but does not include unrecorded border trade with India: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain.

Imports: $2.398 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer.

Major trading partners: India, U.S., Germany, China, Indonesia (2006).

Monetary unit: Nepalese rupee

LANGUAGE:- Nepali is the official language of Nepal.

Nepali 47.8%

Maithali 12.1%

Bhojpuri 7.4%

Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%

Tamang 5.1%

Newar 3.6%

Magar 3.3%

Awadhi 2.4%

Other 10%

Unspecified 2.5% (2001)

CITIES:- The largest and capital city of Nepal is Kathmandu. Other major cities are Biratnagar, Patan, Pokhara, Birgunj, Dharan, Nepalgunj.

POPULATION:- The estimated population of Nepal is 28,901,790 with a growth rate of 2.1%.

Density per sq mi: 547

Literacy rate: 45% (2003 est.).

RACE:-

Chhettri 15.5%

Brahman-Hill 12.5%

Magar 7%

Tharu 6.6%

Tamang 5.5%

Newar 5.4%

Muslim 4.2%

Kami 3.9%

Yadav 3.9%

Other 32.7%

Unspecified 2.8% (2001)

RELIGION:-

Hindu 80.6%

Buddhist 10.7%

Muslim 4.2%

Kirant 3.6%

Other 0.9% (2001)

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 29.92 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 8.97 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 62 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.94 years

Total fertility rate: 3.91 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,100 (2003 est.)

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 76

UNICEF:- UNICEF assists the Decentralized Action for Children and Women in its efforts to strengthen community action. 3000 UNICEF supported children clubs allow 60,000 boys and girls including 20% children from disadvantaged communities in their activities. Over 10 million children are immunized against measles in the national measles campaign. Nepal is free from neo-natal tetanus, which is validated by the WHO in 2005. De-worming treatment and vitamin A supplements are provided to reduce anaemia and malnutrition rates. UNICEF initiated ‘Welcome to School’ increased school enrolment and birth registration rates. UNICEF fights against domestic violence, promotes better sanitation system, and children rights in Nepal.

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: total: 59 km (2006).

Highways: total: 17,380 km; paved: 9,886 km; unpaved: 7,494 km (2004).

Ports and harbors: none.

Airports: 47 (2007).