What countries border Nepal?
What is the current weather in Nepal?
What is Nepal famous for?
What is the capital of Nepal?
Capital | Kathmandu |
Government Type | federal parliamentary republic |
Currency | Nepalese Rupee (NPR) |
Total Area |
56,827 Square Miles 147,181 Square Kilometers |
Location | Southern Asia, between China and India |
Language | Nepali (official; spoken by 90% of the population), about a dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects |
GDP - real growth rate | 7.9% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $3,417.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Nepal?
Ethnic Groups | Brahman, Chetri, Newar, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tharu, and others (1995) |
Languages | As many as twenty major languages are spoken with many different dialects. The Nepali language is related to Hindi, which is the official language. |
Nationality Noun | Nepalese (singular and plural) |
Population | 30,327,877 |
Population Growth Rate | 1.81% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | KATHMANDU (capital) 1.015 million |
Urban Population | 17.000000 |
What type of government does Nepal have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: President Ram Chandra POUDEL (since 13 March 2023); Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad YADAV (since 20 March 2023) head of government: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (since 26 December 2022); Deputy Prime Ministers Narayan Kaji SHRESTHA (since 26 December 2022), Rabi LAMICHHANE (since 26 December 2022), Raghubir MAHASETH (since 6 March 2024), Upendra YADAV (since 10 March 2024) (an) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; cabinet split between Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre, and various coalition partners elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college of the Federal Parliament and of the state assemblies for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 March 2023 (next to be held in 2028) election results: 2023: Ram Chandra POUDEL elected president; electoral college vote - Ram Chandra POUDEL (NC) 33,802, Subash Chandra NEMBANG (CPN-UML) 15,518 |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years |
National Holiday | Constitution Day, 20 September (2015); note - marks the promulgation of Nepal’s constitution in 2015 and replaces the previous 28 May Republic Day as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian day fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar |
Constitution |
history: several previous; latest approved by the Second Constituent Assembly 16 September 2015, signed by the president and effective 20 September 2015 amendments: proposed as a bill by either house of the Federal Parliament; bills affecting a state border or powers delegated to a state must be submitted to the affected state assembly; passage of such bills requires a majority vote of that state assembly membership; bills not requiring state assembly consent require at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of the Federal Parliament; parts of the constitution on the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty vested in the people cannot be amended; amended 2016, 2020 |
Independence | 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH) |
What environmental issues does Nepal have?
Overview |
Nepal’s geography is perhaps the most varied and dramatic of any nation in the world. From the lowlands of the south (about 150 feet above sea level), the terrain rises in a mere 100 miles to the dramatic heights of the world's highest mountain range, the Himalayas, including Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) at 29,028 feet, 10 other mountains above 24,000 feet, and more than 200 peaks over 21,000 feet. Geographically, the country is divided into three roughly parallel strips, running east and west. The Terai Region, the southernmost strip about 15 miles wide, covers about 20% of the total land area. An extension of the Gangetic Plain of north India, once noted for its heavy jungle and still popular for big game—including tiger, rhinoceros, elephant, wild boar, crocodile, and river dolphin. The flat open country of the Terai Region blends into forested hills. Bird watching is a popular pastime in this area. The central region, sometimes called the "hill area," is about 60 miles wide. It ranges from about 3,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level, covering about 60% of the land area, and includes the Valley of Kathmandu with its encircling hills up to 9,000 feet. The northern region consists of the high mountain area, 12,000 to 29,000 feet, forming the majestic panorama of the perpetually snow-covered Himalayan Range. The region is about 25 miles wide and accounts for the remaining 20% of the total land area. |
Climate |
Kathmandu’s climate is pleasant. During the fall to winter season (October-March), temperatures range from 30°F to 75°F. This season is characterized by morning fog, sunny days, and cold nights. It may rain occasionally, but Kathmandu has had no snow since 1939. A temperature range from 40°F to 90°F, with intermittent rain, warm days, and usually comfortable nights, marks the spring season (March-May). Near the end of the spring season and before the rainy season begins, dust gathers heavily throughout the Kathmandu Valley, causing a haze that obscures the mountains. The monsoon season begins in June and continues until late September. Temperatures in the rainy season range from 55°F to 90°F, and rainfall is from 30 to 60 inches. Rain showers occur almost daily. |
Border Countries | China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km |
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 |
Environment - International Agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation |
Terrain | Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north |
How big is the Nepal economy?
Economic Overview |
A mix of challenges and opportunities can characterize Nepal's economy. Agriculture Dominance: Agriculture remains a significant sector, employing a large portion of the population and contributing substantially to the GDP. However, it faces challenges such as low productivity, dependence on monsoon rains, and limited access to modern technology. Tourism: Nepal's natural beauty, including the Himalayas and Mount Everest, attracts tourists worldwide. Tourism plays a crucial role in the economy, providing employment opportunities and foreign exchange earnings. However, political instability and natural disasters like the 2015 earthquake have impacted tourism. Remittances: Nepal receives substantial remittances from its citizens working abroad, particularly in countries like India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Remittances contribute significantly to household incomes and the overall economy, but concerns about their sustainability and long-term impact on domestic productivity exist. Infrastructure Development: Nepal faces challenges in infrastructure development, including transportation, energy, and telecommunications. Investment in infrastructure is essential for economic growth and improving the country's connectivity with regional and global markets. Political Instability: Political instability and frequent changes in government have been a persistent challenge for Nepal. This instability can deter foreign investment, hinder policy implementation, and contribute to economic uncertainty. Trade and Economic Integration: Nepal's geographic location between India and China presents trade and economic integration opportunities. However, trade imbalances, border disputes, and transit challenges can hinder Nepal's ability to capitalize on its strategic position fully. Development Challenges: Nepal faces numerous development challenges, including poverty, inequality, access to education and healthcare, and environmental degradation. Addressing these challenges requires sustained investment in human capital, social infrastructure, and sustainable development initiatives. |
Industries | tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette; cement and brick production |
Currency Name and Code | Nepalese Rupee (NPR) |
Export Partners | India 68%, United States 10% |
Import Partners | India 70%, China 15% |
What current events are happening in Nepal?
Source: Google News
What makes Nepal a unique country to travel to?