Nepal

Nepal, kingdom of southern Asia, bordered by India, and China (Tibet). Katmandu is the capital.

Land and climate

Nepal has an area of 56,827 sq mi (147,181 sq km). It is an elongated country on the southern flanks of the towering Himalayas, extending some 500 mi (805 km) westward from its borders with India to the Sarda River, a tributary of the Ganges.

Along its borders with India and Tibet are some of the world's loftiest peaks, including Mt. Everest (29,028 ft/8,848 m), the world's highest. The Bheri, Sun Kosi, and other rivers flow through wild gorges between the mountain spurs, forming a series of fertile, longitudinal valleys called duns. South of the Dundwa, Sumesar, and Churia Ghati hills (2,000–3,500 ft/610–912 m), are the swampy jungle-plains, called Terai, and the border with India.

Icy-cold temperatures in the high Himalayas sometimes fall to −40°F (1°C). The peaks are always snow-capped. In central Nepal, temperatures average 50°F (10°C) in January and 78°F (25°C) in July. The main rainy season is June through October, the yearly average being about 60 in (152 cm).

People

The population is of mixed Mongolian and Indo-Aryan origin. Its main ethnic groups are the Newars, the Bhotias (who include the Sherpas, well-known mountain guides), and the Gurkhas (noted soldiers). Hinduism, the dominant religion, has long coexisted with Buddhism. About 90% of the people are farmers who live in villages. Although educational programs were begun in the 1950s, only 29% are literate (1989). The official language is Nepali.

Economy

In this predominantly agricultural country, crops include rice, wheat, corn, oilseeds, potatoes, jute, tobacco, opium, and cotton. Livestock is important. The Terai forests provide wood, and medicinal herbs are exported from the Himalayan slopes. Nepal has little industry and only a few paved roads. There are several airports, including an international facility at Katmandu. Tourism is important to the economy.

History

Nepal, the world's only Hindu kingdom, lay isolated from the world until recently. In 1768 Ghurkhas took command of the Nepal Valley, still the home of most Nepalese, but expansion into Tibet was checked by the Chinese. In the south the Nepalese fought the British (1814–16) and were defeated only after a hard struggle, but remained independent. From 1846 the Rana family reigned as a military oligarchy until 1951, when the present Shah family took control, establishing a constitutional monarchy. Polygamy, child marriage, and the caste system were abolished. In 1962 the panchayat system of government was established, in which various political leaders, including the king, serve as prime minister. In response to pro-democracy protests, political parties were legalized in 1990, and the first multiparty elections were held in 1991.