Nepal

Kingdom of Nepal
Nepal
Background:
Our Summary:
Nepalese monarchy ended in 1951 and a new cabinet system of government was instituted. In the 1990’s reform’s established a democracy/constitutional monarchy. However a Maoist insurgency that began in 1996, has recently gained power and is making threats to bring down the government. The tension intensified when a cease fire broke down in 2003. Then in 2005 the king, resolved the government, through the leaders in jail and declared a state of emergency. Now just last month the government retained power leaving Nepal’s fate unknown.
           

Geography     
Location:        
Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates:        
28 00 N, 84 00 E
Area:  
Total: 140,800 sq km 
0 km (landlocked)
Climate:          
Varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Terrain:           
Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north
Natural resources:      
Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Natural hazards:         
Severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
Environment - current issues:
           
Deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions
            People                
Population:     
28,287,147 (July 2006 est.)
Ethnic groups:
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 census)
Religions:       
Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)
note: only official Hindu state in the world
Languages:     
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 census)
            Government
Government type:      
Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
Capital:           
Kathmandu
National holiday:       
Birthday of King GYANENDRA, 7 July (1946)     
Chief of state: King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (since 4 June 2001)
Head of government: Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 30 April 2006)
Flag description:        
red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun
            Economy

OurSummary:
Nepal is very poor and under developed. Most people living rural areas and barely making a living. Agricultural resources are the basis of which most people live. A few of these products are jute, rice sugarcane, and grain. Because of the size of the country it can not produce very much so its economy over all is poor.
Agriculture - products:           
Rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat
Industries:      
Tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production
            Military          
Military branches:      
Royal Nepalese Army (includes Royal Nepalese Army Air Service); Nepalese Police Force
              

Disputes over borders with India on certain sections.

 

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