Nepal (Nepali: नेपाल [neˈpaːl]), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is bordered by China to the north and by India to the south, east and west. The Himalaya mountain range runs across Nepal's northern and western parts, and eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest, are within its territory.
The modern state was formed with the Unification of Nepal by Prithvi Narayan Shah on December 21, 1768. Prior to 2006, Nepal was a kingdom and the only nation with Hinduism as its official religion. At present, Nepal is officially and constitutionally a secular country. Its recent history has involved struggles for democratic government with periods of direct monarchic rule. From 1995 until 2006, Nepal suffered from a Civil War between government forces and Maoist guerrillas of the Communist Party of Nepal.
On December 28, 2007, the Interim Parliament passed a bill and declared Nepal to be a Federal Democratic Republic. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly officially implemented that declaration on May 28, 2008.
Nepal is a multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi religious country. For a relatively small country, Nepal has a diverse landscape, ranging from the humid Terai plains in the south to the mountainous Himalayas in the north, which makes it a major tourist destination. Hinduism is practised by a huge majority of the people, but the country also has a strong Buddhist tradition; Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama is located in the Terai, one of the three regions of Nepal.
The capital Kathmandu is the largest city in the country. The official language is Nepali and the state currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Nepal's Flag is the only national flag in the world that is non-quadrilateral in shape. It is believed that lord Vishnu had organized the Nepali people and given them this flag, with the sun and moon as emblems on it.
The word Nepal is derived from Nepal (नेपा:); the old name of Kathmandu valley was Nepal in Nepal Bhasa, the language of Newars, who were the early inhabitants of the valley, long before the unification of Nepal. The fact that Nepal Sambat, one of the three main calendars of Nepal, existed long before the unification of Nepal proves this historical fact.The Nepal Sambat calendar, named after this Newar kingdom was devised 1200 years ago, is still one of the major calendars used in Nepal.
Historians and local traditions say that a Hindu sage named "Ne" established himself in the valley of Kathmandu during prehistoric times, and that the word "Nepal" means the place protected ("pala" in Sanskrit) by the sage "Ne". He performed religious ceremonies at Teku, the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers. According to legend he selected a pious cowherd to be the first of the many kings of the Gopala Dynasty. These rulers are said to have ruled Nepal for over 500 years. He selected Bhuktaman to be the first king in the line of the Gopal (Cowherd) Dynasty. The Gopal dynasty ruled for 621 years. Yakshya Gupta was the last king of this dynasty.However,this mythology can be challenged as no such name as Ne exists in Nepali or other sanskrit derived languages.
According to Skanda Purana, a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live in Himalaya. In the Pashupati Purana, he is mentioned as a saint and a protector. He is said to have practiced penance at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers and to have taught his doctrines there too.
Another legend ties the name to agriculture; "Ne" means wool in the Tibetan language and "pal" means house or godown.
Language
All the languages spoken in Nepal are the national languages. Nepali is the official language of Nepal. It was originally called Khaskura, but became known as Nepali during the 20th century. However, all languages spoken in Nepal can be used for official purposes and documentation irrespective of what the official language is .
In the capital Kathmandu, Nepali and Nepal Bhasa/Newari are the most widely used languages.
History
Prehistory
Neolithic tools found in the Kathmandu Valley indicate that people have been living in the Himalayan region for at least 9,000 years. It appears that people who were probably of Kirant ethnicity lived in Nepal 2,500 years ago.
Ancient
Nepal is mentioned in Hindu scriptures such as the Narayana Puja and the Atharva Siras (800-600 BC).Around 1000 BC, small kingdoms and confederations of clans arose in the region. From one of these, the Shakya confederation, arose a prince named Siddharta Gautama (563–483 BC), who later renounced his royalty to lead an ascetic life and came to be known as the Buddha ("the enlightened one").7th Kirata king Jitedasti was on throne in Nepal valley at the time. By 250 BC, the region came under the influence of the Mauryan empire of northern India, and later became a vassal state under the Gupta Dynasty in the fourth century AD. From the late fifth century, rulers called the Licchavis governed the area. There is a good and quite detailed description of the kingdom of Nepal in the account of the renowned Chinese Buddhist pilgrim monk, Xuanzang, dating from c. 645 AD.
The Licchavi dynasty went into decline in the late eighth century and was followed by a Newari era, from 879, although the extent of their control over the entire country is uncertain. By the late 11th century, southern Nepal came under the influence of the Chalukaya Empire of southern India. Under the Chalukayas, Nepal's religious establishment changed as the kings patronised Hinduism instead of the prevailing Buddhism.
Medieval
By the early 12th century, leaders were emerging whose names ended with the Sanskrit suffix malla ("wrestler"). Initially their reign was marked by upheaval, but the kings consolidated their power and ruled over the next 200 years; by the late 14th century, much of the country began to come under a unified rule. This unity was short-lived; in 1482 the region was carved into three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.
Hindu temples in Patan, capital of one of the three medieval Newar kingdomsAfter centuries of petty rivalry between the three kingdoms, in the mid-18th century Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gorkha King set out to unify the kingdoms. Seeking arms and aid from India, and buying the neutrality of bordering Indian kingdoms, he embarked on his mission in 1765. After several bloody battles and sieges, he managed to unify Kathmandu Valley three years later in 1768. However, an actual battle never took place to conquer the Kathmandu valley; it was taken over by Prithvi Narayan and his troops without any effort, during Indra Jatra, a festival of Newars, when all the valley's citizens were celebrating the festival. This event marked the birth of the modern nation of Nepal.
Modern
There is historical evidence that, at one time, the boundary of Greater Nepal extended from Tista River on the East to Kangara, across Sutlej River, in the west. A dispute and subsequently war with Tibet over the control of mountain passes forced the Nepalese to retreat and pay heavy reparations. Rivalry between Nepal and the British East India Company over the annexation of minor states bordering Nepal eventually led to the Anglo-Nepalese War (1815–16). The valor displayed by the Nepalese during the war astounded their enemies and earned them their image of fierce and ruthless "Gurkhas". The war ended the Treaty of Sugauli. This treaty ceded Sikkim and lands in Terai to the Company.
Factionalism inside the royal family had led to a period of instability. In 1846 a plot was discovered, revealing that the reigning queen had planned to overthrow Jung Bahadur Rana, a fast-rising military leader. This led to the Kot Massacre; armed clashes between military personnel and administrators loyal to the queen led to the execution of several hundred princes and chieftains around the country. Jung Bahadur Rana emerged victorious and founded the Rana lineage. The king was made a titular figure, and the post of Prime Minister was made powerful and hereditary. The Ranas were staunchly pro-British, and assisted them during the Indian Sepoy Rebellion in 1857 (and later in both World Wars). The decision to help British East India Company was taken by the Rana Regime, then led by Jang Bahadur Rana. Some parts of Terai Region were given back to Nepal by the British as a friendly gesture, because of her military help to sustain British control in India during the Sepoy Rebellion. In 1923, the United Kingdom and Nepal formally signed an agreement of friendship, in which Nepal's independence was recognized by the UK.
Nepalese royalty in the 1920sSlavery was abolished in Nepal in 1924.
In the late 1940s, newly emerging pro-democracy movements and political parties in Nepal were critical of the Rana autocracy. Meanwhile, with the assertion of Chinese control in Tibet in the 1950s, India sought to counterbalance the perceived military threat from its northern neighbour by taking pre-emptive steps to assert more influence in Nepal. India sponsored both King Tribhuvan as Nepal's new ruler in 1951, and a new government, mostly comprising the Nepali Congress Party, thus terminating Rana hegemony in the kingdom. After years of power wrangling between the king and the government, the monarch scrapped the democratic experiment in 1959, and a "partyless" panchayat system was made to govern Nepal until 1989, when the "Jan Andolan" (People's Movement) forced the monarchy to accept constitutional reforms and to establish a multiparty parliament that took seat in May 1991.
In 1996, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) started a bid to replace the royal parliamentary system with a people's socialist republic. This led to the long Nepal Civil War and more than 12,000 deaths. On June 1, 2001, there was a massacre in the royal palace; it left the King, the Queen and the Heir Apparent Crown Prince Dipendra among the dead. Prince Dipendra was accused of patricide and of committing suicide thereafter, alleged to be a violent response to his parents' refusal to accept his choice of wife. However, there are lots of speculations and doubts among Nepalese citizens about the person(s) responsible for the Royal Massacre. Following the carnage, the throne was inherited by King Birendra's brother Gyanendra. On February 1, 2005, Gyanendra dismissed the entire government and assumed full executive powers to quash the violent Maoist movement. In September 2005, the Maoists declared a three-month unilateral ceasefire to negotiate their demands.
In response to the 2006 democracy movement, the king agreed to relinquish the sovereign power back to the people and reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives on April 24, 2006. Using its newly acquired sovereign authority, on May 18, 2006, the newly resumed House of Representatives unanimously passed a motion to curtail the power of the king and declared Nepal a secular state, abolishing its time honoured official status as a Hindu Kingdom. On December 28, 2007, a bill was passed in parliament, to amend Article 159 of the constitution - replacing "Provisions regarding the King" by "Provisions of the Head of the State" - declaring Nepal a federal republic, and thereby abolishing the monarchy. The bill came into force on May 28, 2008 as a constituent assembly meeting in the capital, Kathmandu, overwhelmingly voted to abolish royal rule.
End of monarchy
The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) won the largest number of seats in the Constituent Assembly election held on 10 April 2008, and are trying to form a coalition government with some smaller parties. The Maoists had insisted on the abolition of the monarchy and the removal of Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev as King with Nepal becoming a federal democratic state with an elected head of state. The newly-elected Assembly met in Kathmandu on May 28, 2008 and abolished the monarchy that had reigned for 240 years. There was a polling of constituent Assembly members and out of a total of 564 Assembly members, 560 voted to end Nepal's monarchical rule. The proposal declared that Nepal had become an independent, indivisible, sovereign, secular and an inclusive democratic republic.
Nepal's government has announced a public holiday for three days, from May 28 to May 30, to celebrate the country becoming a republic.
The Narayanhity palace removed the royal flag that was flying on its premises and replaced it with Nepal's national flag on 29 May 2008.
Geography
Geography of Nepal is uncommonly diverse. Nepal is of roughly trapezoidal shape, 800 kilometres (500 mi) long and 200 kilometres (125 mi) wide, with an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi). See List of territories by size for the comparative size of Nepal.
Nepal is commonly divided into three physiographic areas: the Mountain, Hill, Siwalik region and Terai Regions. These ecological belts run east-west and are vertically intersected by Nepal's major, north to south flowing river systems.
The southern lowland Plains bordering India are part of the northern rim of the Indo-Gangetic plains. They were formed and are fed by three major rivers: the Kosi, the Narayani, and the Karnali. This region has a hot, humid climate.
The Hill Region (Pahad) abuts the mountains and varies from 1,000 to 4,000 metres (3,300–13,125 ft) in altitude. Two low mountain ranges, the Mahabharat Lekh and Shiwalik Range (also called the Churia Range) dominate the region. The hilly belt includes the Kathmandu Valley, the country's most fertile and urbanised area. Unlike the valleys called Inner Tarai (Bhitri Tarai Uptyaka), elevations above 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) are sparsely populated.
The Mountain Region, situated in the Great Himalayan Range, makes the northern part of Nepal. It contains the regions of highest altitude in the world; the world's highest mountain, 8,850 metres (29,035 ft) height Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali) is located here on the border with Tibet. Seven other of the world's ten highest mountains are located in Nepal: Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.
The arid and barren Himalayan landscape.Nepal has five climatic zones, broadly corresponding to the altitudes. The tropical and subtropical zones lie below 1,200 metres (3,940 ft), the temperate zone 1,200 to 2,400 metres (3,900–7,875 ft), the cold zone 2,400 to 3,600 metres (7,875–11,800 ft), the subarctic zone 3,600 to 4,400 metres (11,800–14,400 ft), and the Arctic zone above 4,400 metres (14,400 ft).
Nepal experiences five seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. The Himalaya blocks cold winds from Central Asia in winter, and forms the northern limit of the monsoon wind patterns. Once thickly forested, deforestation is a major problem in all regions, with resulting erosion and degradation of ecosystems.
Nepal is a hotspot of mountaineering, containing some of the highest and most challenging mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. Technically, the south-east ridge on the Nepali side of the mountain is easier to climb; so, most climbers prefer to trek to Everest through Nepal.
Until the Sugauli Sandhi (treaty) was signed, the territory of Nepal also included Darjeeling, and Tista to the east, Nainital to the south-west and Kalapani, Susta, Garhwal to the west. However, today these areas are a part of India. As a result, Nepal shares no boundary with Bangladesh now and the two countries are separated by a narrow strip of land about 21 kilometre (13 mi) wide, called the Siliguri Corridor or Chicken's Neck. Efforts are underway to make this area a free-trade zone.The border dispute between India and Nepal has often been a cause of tension between the two countries.
Subdivisions
Subdivisions of Nepal
Nepal is divided into 14 zones and 75 districts, grouped into 5 development regions. Each district is headed by a permanent chief district officer responsible for maintaining law and order and coordinating the work of field agencies of the various government ministries. The 14 zones are:
Neotectonics of Nepal
The collision between the Indian subcontinent and the Eurasian continent, which started in Paleogene time and continues today, produced the Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau, a spectacular modern example of the effects of plate tectonics. Nepal lies completely within this collision zone, occupying the central sector of the Himalayan arc, nearly one third of the 2400km-long Himalayas.
The Indian plate continues to move northward relative to Asia at the rate of ~50mm/yr. Given the great magnitudes of the blocks of the Earth’s crust involved, this is remarkably fast, about twice the speed at which human fingernails grow. As the strong Indian continental crust subducts beneath the relatively weak Tibetan crust, it pushes up the Himalaya mountains. This collision zone has accommodated huge amounts of crustal shortening as the rock sequences slide one over another. Erosion of the Himalayas is a very important source of sediment, which flows via great rivers (Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra) to the Indian Ocean.
Structural and Neotectonic pattern of Nepal
The main structures of Nepal consist of several north-dipping thrust faults; the more important ones are the main frontal thrust (MFT), the main boundary thrust (MBT) and the main central thrust (MCT) (F. Jouanne et al.,2004). These thrust faults lie to the south of the South Tibetan Detachment System( STDS) which is a system of low angle normal faults and is also an important aspect of Nepal Himalayan tectonics.
Geological Map of Nepal Showing Major Tectonic Thrusts.The thrust faults trend generally 120°N in western Nepal, curving to 90°N in the eastern part of the country (Upreti & Le Fort 1999). These thrust faults, with generally southerly transport directions (Brunel 1986; Pecher 1991; Mugnier et al.,1999), are inferred to branch off the major basal detachment of the Himalayan thrust belt called the main Himalayan thrust (MHT) that localizes the underthrusting of the Indian lithospere beneath the Himalayas and Tibet (Zhao et al., 1993). All the cross-sections made through the Himalayan belt advocate a mid-crustal ramp, below a large-scale antiformal structure of the Lesser Himalayas and to be north of a synformal structure(Schelling & Arita 1991; Srivastava & Mitra 1994; Pandey et al. 1990; DeCelles et al. 1998; Mugnier et al. 2003). Geological, geophysical and structural data indicate that there are lateral variations in the geometry of the MHT (Zhao et al.,1993; Pandey et al.1995,1999), but direct knowledge of the geometry of the MHT is sparse and therefore the validity of the profiles is still in debate. The thrusts are generally younger from north to south (24-21 Ma for the MCT, less than 2 Ma for the MFT) (Hodges et al. 1996; Harrison et al. 1997). On the basis of these faults, the structure of Nepal is generally subdivided into five tectonic zones:
Gangetic Plain (Terai) (area on the south of MFT)
Sub-Himalayas (Siwaliks)( area between MFT and MBT)
Lesser Himalayas (area between MBT and MCT)
Higher Himalayas (area between MCT and STDS)
Tibetan-Tethys ( area north of STDS)
Present-day deformation of Nepal
The modern deformation of the Himalayas is characterized by big earthquakes. Almost half of the continuing convergence between India and Eurasia is absorbed by underthrusting of the Indian lithosphere, beneath the Himalayas and Tibet along the MHT, as proposed by seismic investigations (Zhao et al.1993). Three of the big Nepalese earthquakes (1905,1934 and 1950, with magnitudes around 8) were caused by the mid-crustal ramp along MHT (Pandey & Molnar 1989). The territory of Nepal is characterized by very intense microseismic activity, most of which follows approximately the topographic front of the Higher Himalaya (Pandey et al.,1999). Most of the earthquakes cluster between the MCT and MBT (Fig: Seismicity in the Himalayas of Nepal).
Seismicity in the Himalayas of Nepal.Earthquake focal mechanisms indicate that the intermediate magnitude earthquakes are shallow depth (10-20km) beneath the Lesser Himalayas, demonstrating the activation of thrust planes gently dipping to the north (Ni and Barazangi, 1984). Detailed analysis of the Uttarkashi earthquake (Cotton et al. 1996) in the west of Nepal indicates that this event was initiated to the south of the Higher Himalayas front at 12±3 km depth corresponding to the southward propagation of a rupture along this segment of the MHT. A detailed study of the microseismic clusters suggests segmentation of the Himalayan arc (Pandey et al. 1999) and two major discontinuities segment the microseismicity belt at 82.5°E and 86.5°E. The projection along cross sections of the microseismic event (Fig:Cross-section and Projection of Microseimic Activity) reveals a noticeable change in shape of the clusters between central Nepal (rounded clusters are located in the vicinity of the flat-ramp transition of the MHT) and western Nepal (clusters are elongated and nearly horizontal) (F. Jouanne et al.,2004). Similarly, vertical displacement rates, expressed with reference to the Gangetic plain, indicate current uplift of the high Himalayas at 6mm/yr, but also suggest active displacement along frontal thrusts inducing localized uplift (B. Antoine et al., 2004). There is change in maximum elevation between central (8500m) and western (7500m) Nepal and also a big difference in incision between eastern-central Nepal (6000m) and western Nepal (4500m)(B. Antoine et al., 2004). This is reflected in gentler relief in western Nepal and confirms the segmentation of geology and deformation observed with microseismicity and GPS measurements (Fig:Cross-section and Projection of Microseimic Activity).
Cross-section and Projection of Microseimic Activity.Conclusion: To summarise, the neotectonic deformation of Nepal is characterised by three major thrust faults (MCT, MBT and MFT) which are inferred to be the splay thrust of MHT that marks the underthrusting of Indian lithosphere beneath the Himalayas. Likewise, there is a sudden change in geometry of the MHT between central and western Nepal, which is also marked in the Himalayan relief. The MHT is the main structure responsible for recent uplift and continuing deformation in Nepal. This hypothesis is reinforced by the observation that Quaternary displacement along the Main Frontal Thrust, southern emergence of the MHT and the convergence rate estimated across the Himalayas by GPS are both estimated at 18-20 mm/yr, which suggests that nearly all the displacement between India and Tibet is today transferred along the MHT (B. Antoine et al., 2004).
Government and politics
Nepal has seen rapid political changes during the last two decades. Until 1990, Nepal was an absolute monarchy running under the executive control of the king. Faced with a people's movement against the absolute monarchy, King Birendra, in 1990, agreed to large-scale political reforms by creating a parliamentary monarchy with the king as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of the government.
Nepal's legislature was bicameral, consisting of a House of Representatives called the Pratinidhi Sabha and a National Council called the Rastriya Sabha. The House of Representatives consisted of 205 members directly elected by the people. The National Council had sixty members: ten nominated by the king, thirty-five elected by the House of Representatives and the remaining fifteen elected by an electoral college made up of chairs of villages and towns. The legislature had a five-year term, but was dissolvable by the king before its term could end. All Nepali citizens 18 years and older became eligible to vote.
The executive comprised the King and the Council of Ministers (the Cabinet). The leader of the coalition or party securing the maximum seats in an election was appointed as the Prime Minister. The Cabinet was appointed by the king on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Governments in Nepal tended to be highly unstable, falling either through internal collapse or parliamentary dissolution by the monarch, on the recommendation of prime minister, according to the constitution; no government has survived for more than two years since 1991.
The movement in April, 2006, brought about a change in the nation's governance: an interim constitution was promulgated, with the King giving up power, and an interim House of Representatives was formed with Maoist members after the new government held peace talks with the Maoist rebels. The number of parliamentary seats was also increased to 330. In April, 2007, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) joined the interim government of Nepal.
On December 28, 2007, the interim parliament passed a bill that would make Nepal a federal republic, with the Prime Minister becoming head of state. The bill was passed by the Constituent Assembly on May 28, 2008.
On April 10, 2008, there was the first election in Nepal for the constitution assembly. The Maoist party led the poll results, but failed to gain a simple majority in the parliament.
On May 28, 2008, lawmakers in Nepal legally abolished the monarchy and declared the country a republic, ending 239 years of royal rule in the Himalayan nation. The newly elected assembly, led by the former communist rebels, adopted the resolution at its first meeting by an overwhelming majority. King Gyanendra was given 15 days to leave former Royal Palace in central Kathmandu by the Nepalese Constituent Assembly. He left former Royal Palace on June 11.
On June 26, 2008, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala tendered his resignation to the Nepalese Constituent Assembly, which is also functioning as Nepalese Parliament, however a new Prime Minister is yet to be elected by the Nepalese Constituent Assembly.
Military and foreign affairs
The famous outpost of Naamche Bazaar in the Khumbu region close to Mount Everest. The town is built on terraces in what resembles a giant Greek theatre.Nepal's military consists of the Nepalese Army which includes the Nepalese Army Air Service, (the air force unit under it). Nepalese Police Force is the civilian police and the Armed Police Force Nepal is the paramilitary force. Service is voluntary and the minimum age for enlistment is 18 years. Nepal spends $99.2 million (2004) on its military—1.5% of its GDP. Many of the equipment and arms are imported from India.
Nepal has close ties with both of its neighbours, India and China. In accordance with a long standing treaty, Indian and Nepalese citizens may travel to each others' countries without a passport or visa. Nepalese citizens may work in India without legal restriction. Although Nepal and India typically have close ties, from time to time Nepal becomes caught up in the problematic Sino-Indian relationship. Recently China has been asking Nepal to curb protests in Nepal against China'sPolicy on Tibet, and on April 17th, 2008, police arrested over 500 Tibetan protestors citing a need to maintain positive relations with China.
Economy
Terraced farming on the foothills of the Himalayas.Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) for the year 2005 was estimated at just over US$39 billion (adjusted to Purchasing Power Parity), making it the 83rd-largest economy in the world. Agriculture accounts for about 40% of Nepal's GDP, services comprise 41% and industry 22%. Agriculture employs 76% of the workforce, services 18% and manufacturing/craft-based industry 6%. Agricultural produce——mostly grown in the Terai region bordering India——includes tea, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, and water buffalo meat. Industry mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce, including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Its workforce of about 10 million suffers from a severe shortage of skilled labour. The spectacular landscape and diverse, exotic cultures of Nepal represent considerable potential for tourism, but growth in this hospitality industry has been stifled by recent political events. The rate of unemployment and underemployment approaches half of the working-age population. Thus many Nepali citizens move to India in search of work; the Gulf countries and Malaysia being new sources of work. Nepal receives US$50 million a year through the Gurkha soldiers who serve in the Indian and British armies and are highly esteemed for their skill and bravery. The total remittance value is worth around 1 billion USD, including money sent from Persian Gulf and Malaysia, who combined employ around 700,000 Nepali citizens. A long-standing economic agreement underpins a close relationship with India. The country receives foreign aid from India, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, China, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries. Poverty is acute; per-capita income is less than US$ 470. The distribution of wealth among the Nepalis is consistent with that in many developed and developing countries: the highest 10% of households control 39.1% of the national wealth and the lowest 10% control only 2.6%.
The government's budget is about US$1.153 billion, with expenditures of $1.789bn (FY05/06). The Nepalese rupee has been tied to the Indian Rupee at an exchange rate of 1.6 for many years. Since the loosening of exchange rate controls in the early 1990s, the black market for foreign exchange has all but disappeared. The inflation rate has dropped to 2.9% after a period of higher inflation during the 1990s.
Nepal's exports of mainly carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods and grain total $822 million. Import commodities of mainly gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products and fertilizer total US$2 bn. India (53.7%), the US (17.4%), and Germany (7.1%) are its main export partners. Nepal's import partners include India (47.5%), the United Arab Emirates (11.2%), China (10.7%), Saudi Arabia (4.9%), and Singapore (4%).
A Rs.500 banknote of The Republic of Nepal. (Yet the watermark on the right contains picture of King Gyanendra, later admitted clerical error by state owned Nepal Rashtra Bank.)Nepal remains isolated from the world’s major land, air and sea transport routes although, within the country, aviation is in a better state, with 48 airports, ten of them with paved runways; flights are frequent and support a sizeable traffic. Hilly and mountainous terrain in the northern two-thirds of the country has made the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. There were just over 8,500 km of paved roads, and one 59 km railway line in the south in 2003. There is only one reliable road route from India to the Kathmandu Valley. The only practical seaport of entry for goods bound for Kathmandu is Calcutta in India. Internally, the poor state of development of the road system (22 of 75 administrative districts lack road links) makes volume distribution unrealistic. Besides having landlocked, rugged geography, few tangible natural resources and poor infrastructure, the long-running civil war is also a factor in stunting the economic growth.
There is less than one telephone per 19 people. Landline telephone services are not adequate nationwide but are concentrated in cities and district headquarters. Mobile telephony is in a reasonable state in most parts of the country with increased accessibility and affordability; there were around 175,000 Internet connections in 2005. After the imposition of the "state of emergency", intermittent losses of service-signals were reported, but uninterrupted Internet connections have resumed after Nepal's second major people's revolution to overthrow the King's absolute power.
Demographics
The Population Density map of Nepal.Perched on the southern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains, Nepal is as ethnically diverse as its terrain of fertile plains, broad valleys, and the highest mountain peaks in the world. The Nepalese are descendants of three major migrations from India, Tibet, and North Burma and Yunnan via Assam.
Among the earliest inhabitants were the Kirat of east mid-region, Newar of the Kathmandu Valley and aboriginal Tharu in the southern Terai region. The ancestors of the Brahman and Chetri caste groups came from India's present Kumaon, Garhwal and Kashmir regions, while other ethnic groups trace their origins to North Burma and Yunnan and Tibet, e.g. the Gurung and Magar in the west, Rai and Limbu in the east(from Yunnan and north Burma via Assam), and Sherpa and Bhotia in the north(from Tibet).
In the Terai, a part of the Ganges Basin with 20% of the land, much of the population is physically and culturally similar to the Indo-Aryans of northern India. Indo-Aryan and East Asian looking mixed people live in the hill region. The mountainous highlands are sparsely populated. Kathmandu Valley, in the middle hill region, constitutes a small fraction of the nation's area but is the most densely populated, with almost 5% of the population.
Nepal is a multilingual, multireligious and multiethnic society. These data are largely derived from Nepal's 2001 census results published in the Nepal Population Report 2002.
According to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Nepal hosted a population of refugees and asylum seekers in 2007 numbering approximately 130,000. Of this population, approximately 109,200 persons were from Bhutan and 20,500 from China. The government of Nepal resticted Bhutanese refugees to seven camps in the Jhapa and Morang districts, and refugees were not permitted to work in most professions.
Languages Spoken in Nepal.Population Structure Data Size
Population 28,676,547 (2005)
Growth Rate 2.2%
Population below 14 Years old 39%
Population of age 15 to 64 57.3%
Population above 65 3.7%
The median age (Average) 20.07
The median age (Male) 19.91
The median age (Females) 20.24
Ratio (Male:Female) 1, 000:1,060
Life expectancy (Average) 59.8 Years
Life expectancy (Male) 60.9
Life expectancy (Female) 59.5
Literacy Rate (Average) 53.74%
Literacy Rate (Male) 68.51%
Literacy Rate (Female) 42.49%
Despite the migration of a significant section of the population to the southern plains or terai in recent years, the majority of the population still lives in the central highlands. The northern mountains are sparsely populated.
Kathmandu, with a population of around 800,000 (metropolitan area: 1.5 million), is the largest city in the country.
Religion
Shaiva-devotees gather at the Hindu Pashupatinath TempleNepal religiosity
religion percent
Hinduism 80.6%
Buddhism 10.7%
Islam 4.2%
Mundhum 3.6%
Christianity 0.5%
Other 0.4%
The main religion of Nepal is Hinduism. Lord Shiva is regarded as the guardian deity of the country. Nepal is home to the largest Shiva temple in the world, the famous Pashupatinath Temple, where Hindus from all over the world come for pilgrimage. According to mythology, Sita Devi of the epic Ramayana was born in the Mithila Kingdom of King Janaka Raja. Buddhism was relatively more common among the Newar. But, differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been in general very subtle and academic in nature due to the intermingling of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Both share common temples and worship common deities and many of Nepal's Buddhists could also be regarded as Hindus and vice versa. Gurkhas from Nepal are Hindu. Among other natives of Nepal, those most influenced by Hinduism were the Magar, Sunwar, Limbu and Rai. Hindu influence is less prominent among the Gurung, Bhutia, and Thakali groups, who employ Buddhist monks for their religious ceremonies. Most of the festivals in Nepal are Hindu. The Machendrajatra festival, dedicated to Hindu Shaiva Siddha, is celebrated even by Buddhists and it is the Buddhists' main festival. As it is believed that Ne Muni established Nepal, important priests in Nepal are called "Tirthaguru Nemuni".
Discussing the importance of Nepal's Hinduism, Veer Savarkar wrote, "To the Independent Hindu kingdom of Nepal all Hindudom feels itself most loyally attached and would ever strive to strain every nerve in defending its honour and integrity. It is the only part of our Mother Land which continues down to this day as a Dharma Kshettra unsullied by the humiliating shadow of an alien non-Hindu Flag."
Culture
Nepalese culture is diverse, reflecting different ethnic origins of the people. The Newar community is particularly rich in cultural diversity; they celebrate many festivals, well known for their music and dance.
A typical Nepalese meal is dal-bhat-tarkari. Dal is a spicy lentil soup, served over bhat (boiled rice), served with tarkari (curried vegetables) together with achar (pickles) or chutni (spicy condiment made from fresh ingredients).. The Newar community, however, has its own unique cuisine. It consists of non-vegetarian as well as vegetarian items served with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Mustard oil is the cooking medium and a host of spices, such as cumin, coriander, black peppers, sesame seeds, turmeric, garlic, ginger, methi (fenugreek), bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, chillies, mustard seeds etc., are used in the cooking. The cuisine served on festivals is generally the best.
Nepalese children practicing danceThe Newari Music orchestra consists mainly of percussion instruments, though wind instruments, such as flutes and other similar instruments, are also used. String instruments are very rare. There are songs pertaining to particular seasons and festivals. Paahan chare music is probably the fastest played music whereas the Dapa the slowest. There are certain musical instruments such as Dhimay and Bhusya which are played as instrumental only and are not accompanied with songs. The dhimay music is the loudest one. In the hills, people enjoy their own kind of music, playing saarangi (a string instrument), madal and flute. They also have many popular folk songs known as lok geet and lok dohari.
The Newar dances can be broadly classified into masked dances and non-masked dances. The most representative of Newari dances is Lakhey dance. Almost all the settlements of Newaris organise Lakhey dance at least once a year, mostly in the Goonlaa month. So, they are called Goonlaa Lakhey. However, the most famous Lakhey dance is the Majipa Lakhey dance; it is performed by the Ranjitkars of Kathmandu and the celeberation continues for one whole week that contains the full moon of Yenlaa month. The Lakhey are considered as the saviors of children.
Folklore is an integral part of Nepalese society. Traditional stories are rooted in the reality of day-to-day life, tales of love, affection and battles as well as demons and ghosts and thus reflect local lifestyles, cultures and beliefs. Many Nepalese folktales are enacted through the medium of dance and music.
The Nepali year begins in mid-April and is divided into 12 months. Saturday is the official weekly holiday. Main annual holidays include the National Day, celebrated on the birthday of the king (December 28), Prithvi Jayanti, (January 11), Martyr's Day (February 18) and a mix of Hindu and Buddhist festivals such as dashain in autumn, and tihar in late autumn. During tihar, the Newar community also celebrates its New Year as per their local calendar Nepal Sambat.
Most houses in rural lowland of Nepal are made up of a tight bamboo framework and walls of a mud and cow-dung mix. These dwellings remain cool in summer and retain warmth in winter. Houses in the hills are usually made of unbaked bricks with thatch or tile roofing. At high elevations construction changes to stone masonry and slate may be used on roofs.
Landlocked country in South Asia. Southern slope of the Himalayas. O Southwest China. Area 14 72 million square kilometers. Population 18.5 million (1991). Kathmandu. Agricultural country. Mountaineering important source of foreign exchange income. China is divided into five development zones, 14 zones (Zone), 36 cities, 75 counties (District), 3995 villages. 1814 British invasion force in southern Nepal to 10,000 square kilometers of the vast territory ceded to India and Nepal enjoy many privileges. Britain recognized Nepal's independence in 1923.
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Travel
尼泊尔 旅游
尼泊尔 旅游
Best Nepal Travel time: 10 months to a year in November is the beginning of the dry season, in many ways is the best time of year: mild climate, clean air, high visibility, but also the peak season for local tourism and mountaineering. February to April is the end of the dry season, is second only to the best season: Because more dust in the air, so the visibility is not very high, but the weather is warm, many wild flowers are blooming out. December to next January, the climate and visibility are good, but it is rather cold: If there are no heating facilities, cheap hotels, then the night will be particularly tough. For hikers, the adequate preparation to do well, because this season will always be the snow day Apart from the above description, the year the rest of the time are not suitable for travel: May and early June is too hot, and air pollution; June to mid-September monsoon clouds obscured the peaks are, the road is full of mud. Folk Festivals in Nepal: Nepal is a universal religion of the country, so many religious-related activities has become a national holiday. There are many national holidays in Nepal, Nepal travel agencies for publication based on the information that its up to the country more than 300 festivals each year. That is, any time, as long as you go to Nepal, you will be able to witness all kinds of colorful festivals. As a universal religion of Nepal is a country and religion so many activities related to become a national holiday. In addition some special festivals such as: Mother's Day: This festival is usually in late April or early May, it is the people of the world's greatest maternal grateful day. On this day, both men and women are busy to celebrate with. Children out of their pocket money to buy a small gift for the mother, married sons and daughters will come home with gifts and mothers. Everywhere are brimming with a rich family. Oxen Festival (gai jatra): Calendar of Nepal in August or September, there is a sacred cow festival, which is the most famous festivals in Nepal. The festival originated in ancient times, but in the development process combines the Spirit. According to Nepalese tradition, each of the following year the family was dead cattle in the streets that day to be leading the march, no cattle families can let the boy dressed as a cow instead. In Nepal the cow is very sacred, and he will help the late Valentine's early paradise. Tai Shan Festival (dashain): Big Shan Festival, most of Nepal, the longest and most festive holiday, a large festival to commemorate the Du Jia Shan goddess of victory over sin God mahisasur, he was disguised as the scourge of the people of Buffalo. Time of the end of September each year in early October. This festival is a festival of people of all nationalities together, so it can be said that Nepal's celebration. The festival lasted from new moon to full moon 15 days, national holidays in Nepal. During the festival, people dressed in Technicolor Dreamcoat after another, toward Baidu Jia goddess statues to the temple before the ritual of sacrifice birds. Nepal reminded: Recommended: ready to go backpacking in Nepal in Kathmandu operation with the Shanghai Youth Hostel ALICE Dayong contact, get local information, you can also ask him to arrange the trip in Nepal. 1, a visa: Embassy in Beijing and Shanghai, Lhasa, passport, visa by the Consulate. Nepal is now free of charge visas for Chinese tourists, as long as pay 30 yuan fee on it. Nepal Embassy in Beijing Tel :010 -65321795. Tourist Visa: Required to submit materials: more than half of the original valid passport, 2-inch color photo of an individual table. Working days required: 5 days. Visa Validity: 6 months. The number of days can stay: 2 months. 2 Currency: Nepal's official currency is the rupee, 1 U.S. dollar = 70 rupees or so. Foreign exchange through banks or official shall be authorized foreign exchange business, exchange transactions in the exchange rate should obtain and retain receipts. If the direct use of the RMB exchange, civil exchange rate was about 1:8.5, but the streets looking for money changers (money change) is only 1:8.4. 3, clothing: September to March, cool morning and evening, Nepal, sweater or jacket to wear thick coats, but the daytime temperature will rise to 25 degrees; from April to June the weather was hot, the evening often showers; June to September is the rainy season, and rainfall amazing, it went to Nepal during this period, and should bring a good waterproof breathable windbreaker. Whether hiking, a pair of hiking shoes should also be prepared. The hiking supplies in Kathmandu or Pokhara can rent or buy, the supplies most of the items left climbers, practical but not necessarily cheap. 4, medicine and health: Nepal customs entry quarantine of passengers are loose, but for their own safety, it is best to accept a full range of dysentery, typhoid, cholera and tetanus vaccinations. Nepali pop called "Kathmandu dysentery" enteritis, so not to drink unboiled water is not boiled, but also try to avoid raw vegetables, salad and fruit. Malaria-infested areas in the subcontinent, although not the affected areas in Nepal, but in the forest zone, such as Chitwan (chitwan) of the National Animal Park area, or preferably two weeks ago to start taking malaria pills, until the departure of six weeks only to stop. Hot weather season to bring mosquito repellent, the rainy season, but also to guard against the blood fluke. In addition, individuals should be included in the medicine cabinet and use a wide range of antibiotics, aspirin, sore throat medicine, sunscreen, disinfectant and gauze bandages. 5, the difference: Nepal Time GMT 5 hours and 45 minutes faster than 2 hours and 15 minutes slower Beijing. 6, supply voltage: Voltage of 240 volts. Kathmandu hotel two or three phase plug is the British flat head, National Park and Pokhara plugs are the round two-phase, preferably with a universal plug, you can also visit plus all the time to buy one, about 50 rupees. 7, Communications: Nepal, the rapid development of mobile communications, now has roaming services, but only the mobile communications there. Many Internet cafes in Kathmandu, telephone and email are very convenient, prices are generally at 30 rupees to 50 rupees. 8 tips: Foreign visitors to the hotels and restaurants has become a trend tips, most of the hostels, hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge, hotel waiter or concierge general tips about 5 to 10 rupees, not necessarily to give taxi drivers, but if particularly attentive service, give some of it anyway. 9, folk taboos: Face of the diverse ethnic culture, deeply rooted cultural traditions, foreign travelers should pay attention to a number of contacts with local people taboo issues: * Greeting in Nepal is "that Master (namaste)", the corresponding action is hands clasped together; * Into the temple of Nepal, home to take off your shoes before; * Careful not to use their used knives, forks, spoons, or a hand to touch other people's food or utensils; • Do not touch the Nepalese items with their feet, which is considered an offensive act is not serious; • Focus on clothing, especially women tourists not to wear exposure; * Be sure to enter the consent before the Hindu temple, because the temple is not open to non-believers; * Fur into the temple within the prohibited items; * Walking around the temple or pagoda should be clockwise direction; * Photo (either human or items) shall be subject to be licensed before; * Public intimacy between men and women is not to be like; Remember: in many cases, consent is Nepalis shook his head, but this is not our usual sense of shaking his head from side to side on, but right under the left began to swing, so it can not be considered shaking his head. Food Nepal: Nepal itself has not developed their own special style of cooking, India, Nepal, local cooking dishes just change it, which also includes some changes in China's Tibet from the diet. Rice is the staple food of Nepalese, the staple food of mountain people are mainly maize, millet and buckwheat. Four meals a day rich people, ordinary people two meals a day, and relatively simple meals. In most cases, the standard Nepali meal meal includes a bowl of unknown contents of soup, rice and curry, vegetables and meat tastes strong. Nepalese like to eat pizza, potatoes, vegetables and meat, drink milk and tea. Dinner, each a plate, the staple food and vegetables in full bloom, holding hands to eat. Nepalese eat sweet snacks and a smell like fish out from the sugar syrup to the same. For example, orange Rabina (ielebi) and Laidu (laddu), shapes, different packaging, their materials and taste will be different. The after-dinner tea is brewed black tea, plus milk or goat's milk, and some will add a little ginger. Shopping Nepal: Nepal is a shopping paradise say, is no exaggeration. Array of souvenirs on sale in Nepal, bizarre, mainly China Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu musical instruments and accessories, and of course the local handicrafts of Nepal. Kathmandu is a windfall that shoppers often have a place, the children sell Gurkha knives, belts, copper. A place where tourists have to sell your arts and crafts vendors, traders were waiting on the temple steps, cheap goods, antique objects, souvenirs everywhere. Look at each store, and they go, satisfied to buy, do not like to walk away, store, or smiley face and got up and see a visitor. Religious articles: Hindu or Buddhist religious articles that there are many statues, prayer wheels, Buddhist painting, meditation, character, charm boxes, amulets, Scripture on canvas, Scripture stones, tea bowls and other wooden Tibet silver inlay. Most of these articles Bonafota nearby, in addition to the street vendors and merchants Durbar Square is also for sale. Nepal-style arts and crafts: Many types of handicrafts in Nepal, low cost, quality varies, there are inlaid jewelry boxes, wood carvings, embroidered t-shirt Foyan, "Sha Ling Ji" ukulele, Nepal caps. Antiques: In the streets of Thamel area there are many Buddhist statues and painted books, there are antiques from Tibet to China, but the real antiques are not allowed to export. Year of purchase less than a century Thangka, Buddha, etc., must apply for approval of relevant departments to Nepal to obtain documents under the age of a hundred years be taken abroad. Antiques can be bought in Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Road, near the antique shops. Natural gemstones: Nepal produced dark red crystals, topaz, aquamarine night stone, lapis lazuli and so cheap. Tibet from China, Turkey or Iran imported precious stones, coral, etc., used for decorations on. The weight of the original stone can be used to purchase pricing, and _set_ in earrings, k gold necklace or ring for sale, hand still fine, the price is certainly not cheap. Tibet Carpet: Tibet carpet and more export sales to New York from Hong Kong, well received. Old carpet is made from natural dyes, design complexity, prices are high. Many chemical dyes are now made with new products, woven by the private houses or camps, with a bright color dyes, or more detailed, more expensive traditional vegetable dyes infected with China's Tibet religious designs. When purchasing carpet, the size should be based on the length of a tatami appropriate. Length and width of carpet of different sizes, prices will vary by. Tibet carpet purchase may be in Patan near Jawahar Kerr (jawalkhel) Exhibition Center of China Tibetan refugee camps or Bonafota surrounding stores to purchase, but the bargaining space is limited. Apparel fabrics: India to Nepal or fabric sewn vest, pants, dresses, it is a folk flavor, in addition to the geometric patterns of Chinese Tibetan-style coarse line jacket, vest or backpack, but some clothes are the size of the West. Nepal, Tibet, China, the traditional coat and not sell ready-made clothes, but you can cut their own cloth, and then find the master tailor, production time as long as one or two days, wages are very cheap. Nepal Sari fabric with cotton, gauze and wool, can be bought or cut production of fashion scarves. Rate: Nepalese currency exchange rate daily official price posted on the rising nepal newspaper, daily radio broadcast will be in Nepalese. The major tourist areas in Nepal have the black market exchange U.S. dollars on the black market price of the conversion price and the bank is almost the same. Although the illegal black market, but most of the travel and tourism expenditures are paid by Nepalese rupees, so the black market exchange or has a certain appeal. If you prefer you can also find guides for the exchange rate slightly higher than the bank, to leave the country can not run out of Nepal rupees into U.S. dollars. Nepalese rupee against the dollar is 72:1, and the yuan parity is 8-9:1. Nepal Transportation: Aviation: China has direct flights to Nepal, Lhasa - Kathmandu about 2.5 hours, Hong Kong - Kathmandu about 4.5 hours, Shanghai has direct flights to Kathmandu, but the frequency of small, usually _select_ed from Bangkok or Hong Kong transit more convenient. Nepal's only international airport is Kathmandu tribhuvan airport. If you want to fly to Kathmandu in time to see those mountains, it would have to sit on the right side of the aircraft. International flights, airport tax is $ 10, or 1100 rupees. Airport flying to the Indian subcontinent is 7 dollars. Kathmandu tribhuvan sub international and domestic airport departure lounge, we must carry out security checks, male and female passengers were checked in the examination room of men and women. tribhuvan airport to the city's taxi fee is Rs 100-150. Highway: Entry from camphor in Tibet, at 9:30 am Zhangmu port switch. Camphor by jeep from Lhasa to take about 2-3 days, each of about 300-350 yuan. Recommended by the camphor from Lhasa to Kathmandu by car, not only can save money, you can feel the profound from the vast snow-covered plateau wide lower altitude slowly, gradually see the trees, forests, waterfalls, until the banana, banyan, bamboo. Lhasa to camphor Toyota car is usually 62, the fare 350; are generally looking for the driver source in the Nepalese Consulate General of the door. Or from the 62 bus to Shigatse by Toyota camphor, fare 200, 6:30 am start, a day in advance to determine their own shipping company starting the next day. Generally filled the car at least 8 people willing to walk. Takes 2-3 days on the road, near the halfway mark generally stay in the camphor, but recommended to stay only 200 meters from the crossing of the Sherpa Hotel (sherpa hotel). Accommodation Nepal: Nepal Tourism mature, needs to adapt to a variety of tourist accommodation facilities, from luxury hotels to international standards unique style of students hostels everything, and super cheap accommodation. Even if a student hostel, no such conditions, accommodation price of 2-6 dollars per day, usually with a separate bathroom, otherwise it will be cheaper. Better stay here, there are different styles of garden courtyard, you can avoid the busy downtown area, stay out, relaxed posture. In Kathmandu, it is recommended to live in the tourist enclave of Thailand and the United States children (thamel), there are many small hotels, facilities, simple, large room, but most of all with bathroom, priced at 4,5 U.S. dollars. Stay tight during the peak season, and housing prices. Off-season in many hotels empty place, and some the whole building only one or two occupants, then do not live in a room with a bathroom, because public toilets are clean, about half the price for the season. Note bargain accommodation without additional tax should be indicated, otherwise there would be a 10% tax. In Pokhara, accommodation in two large areas, one lake (lake side), the other is the dam (dam side). Lakeside scenery better, but the so-called living close to the lake shore not live in the edge of the lake and the hotel separated by a road. Other town guest house is cheap, the price will fluctuate due to season or low season. Recommended reading rooms to rent, because many hotels are no private bathrooms, passengers had to use public bathrooms. Nepal Entertainment: Rafting Pokhara: Pokhara (pokhara) is a beautiful area, famous for lakes and snow-capped mountains, about two hundred kilometers west of Kathmandu. A good book from Kathmandu by tourist signs printed greenline bus line to arrive. In the lake, one hour with the price of 20 yuan hired a small boat, half-lying on the boat, he served as boatman swinging the boat and enjoy the lake and a quiet and secluded, the same day is really immortal. White Water River Rafting: White Water River (trishuli) is a river rafting enthusiasts on the election. Paddled rubber boats, from high mountains and deep valleys of the Nepal border has been floated to the upper reaches of the vast plains bordering India. Yong Jin to fully experience the fun rapids, but also the only 100 km, to appreciate the infinite variety of terrain along the way, hard work of the terraces and ancient customs. Flying over Everest: close contact with the Everest. By small plane to see snow-capped mountains. Small aircraft only a dozen seats, each guest has a picture, snow-capped mountains and its name was clearly marked. Before take-off flight attendants to prepare the cotton for everyone to stuff their ears. About 1 hour aircraft navigation bar, before landing a spot each visitor received a certificate signed. Location: Northern border with China, South and neighboring India. Area: 147,181 square kilometers. Population: 23,150,000 (2001). Capital: Kathmandu Residents: Niu Wali, Indian, Tibetan, gurungs, magars, tamangs, bhotias, rais, limbus, Sherpa. Language: Nepal has more than 70 languages, music, official language is Nepali, but English is widely spoken. Religion: Hindu 90%, 5% Buddhist, 3% Muslim, 2% Other Currency: The official currency is the rupee Time difference: 2 hours and 15 minutes difference between Beijing National Day: December 28 (1945, King Birendra's Birthday) Flag: the flag of Nepal is the only triangular flag. A century ago, there have been in Nepal for this pennant, pennant sides together later to become the national flag of Nepal today, the style. By the great of small, stacked up and down the two triangles the flag is red, the flag side of the blue. Red is the color of the country bonus cuckoo, blue for peace. Triangle above the flag is white crescent, star pattern, representing the royal family; the following flag in the white triangle pattern from the Rana family of the sun symbol. Also represents the sun and moon motifs countries like Nepal, people pray for sun and moon endure, like the good wishes. Kok said the two flags of the two Himalayan peaks. Emblem: the multiple patterns composed of symbolic significance, there are the Himalayas, the valley, the sun and moon and stars logo, and the river on both sides of the national animal of white cattle, the national bird and national bonus Green Pheasant cuckoo. Mountains above pattern broadsword used by the Gurkhas, the Buddha footprints, the national flag, the crown and other components. Central design on both sides are armed with weapons and soldiers, following a red ribbon on the Sanskrit words "Zu Guosheng in heaven." National Flower: Rhododendron State animal: cattle South Asia, Nepal is located in a scenic mountain kingdom, from the north roof of the world over 8000 meters above sea level, to the south of Taiwan, r. (terai) of 70 meters near the sea-level plains of the valley, descending rapidly, which also caused much of Nepal pose much more expensive than the climate and natural beauty. Nepal is located in the intersection of Asian civilizations, the Hindu, Buddhist, palace architecture, and rich natural resources constitute a local unique tourism resources, is the world's best hiking in the world. As the world's only Hindu country, Nepal is characterized by the largest temple of God more and more, walking the streets of a small road in Nepal, three steps of a temple, Buyi temple, described as "as many temples and houses." In Nepal, there are 300 million gods having 3 million, even more than the national population. With a strong religious building is a major feature of Nepal's tourism, where tourists can enjoy the medieval old town, beautifully carved. At the foot of the Himalayas, Nepal is a country of high mountains, the whole territory has 8 mountains over 8,000 meters, is the world's mountain paradise for sports enthusiasts should not miss. In addition, Nepal also has rich flora and fauna landscape, most notably to the number of Chitwan National Park, the park brings together a variety of wildlife, a variety of single-horned rhinos have endangered more than 400 head. Major tourist cities in Nepal Kathmandu, Patan, the second largest city, the third largest city and the famous Bud Kong scenic resort Pokhara. Geography: the Lushan Guo, an area of 147,181 square kilometers. Located in the middle of the southern foot of the Himalayas, north China, west, south and east bordering with India on three sides. Total length of 2,400 km border. Nepal mountains overlap, within the multi-peak, Mount Everest (Sagarmatha Nepal said that the peak) in the Sino-Nepalese border. North of the country sub-alpine, central and southern subtropical temperate climate zone. Northern cold season minimum temperature -41 ℃, the highest temperature of the southern summer, 45 ℃. Lying north to south, the relative height difference of much the world are rare. Most of them are hilly areas, 1 km above the altitude of the land for half the total area. East, west, north surrounded by mountains on three sides, so Nepal has always been a "hill country," said. Many rivers and rapids, mostly originated in China's Tibet, south into the Ganges River in India. Fertile soil in southern alluvial plain, the distribution of dense forests and vast grasslands, is an important economic area in Nepal. Central valley area, and more hills, Kathmandu Valley Kathmandu sits inside. Towering Himalayas block the dry and cold north wind and pleasant weather, beautiful scenery. Northern mountainous regions, high mountains and deep valleys, misty, mountain snow, only in summer grazing. The terrain, the climate varies from the country. North of the country sub-alpine, central and southern subtropical temperate climate zone. Northern cold season minimum temperature -41 ℃, the highest temperature of the southern summer, 45 ℃. In the country at the same time, when the heat anomalies on the southern plains, when in the capital Kathmandu and Pake La Valley, it is Blooming flowers, spring, while flying the mountains of northern winter is snow. Economy; Nepal is agricultural country, 80% of the population dominated by agriculture, economic backwardness, is one of the world's least developed countries. The main crops are rice, corn, wheat, the main cash crops are sugar cane, oil, tobacco and so on. Natural resources are copper, iron, aluminum, zinc, phosphorus, cobalt, silica, sulfur, lignite, mica, marble, limestone, magnesite, timber. Have received only a small amount of mining. Abundant water resources, water reserves of 83 million kilowatts, accounting for 2.3% of the world's water reserves. Of which 27 million kilowatts can develop hydropower. Nepal's industrial base, the smaller, low level of mechanization, the development is slow. There are sugar, textiles, leather footwear and food processing. There are some rural crafts and crafts manufacturing. Pleasant climate, beautiful natural scenery, so that Nepal is rich in tourism resources. Nepal is located in the south of the Himalayas, in addition, there are more than 200 within Nigeria 6000-8000 m mountain climbing enthusiasts are yearning for the land, Nepal, rich cultural and religious heritage, beautiful classical architecture pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists It also has 14 National Wildlife Park, for hiking and hunting tourism tourists in 1995, travelers to Nepal 36 million.
Bāgmatī