Nepal

Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mainly in the Himalayas, and includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Nepal borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north, and India to the south, east, and west. Nepal has a diverse geography, with fertile plains, hills with forests, and eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and its largest city.

The name "Nepal" is first recorded in texts from the Vedic period of the Indian subcontinent. In the middle of the first millennium BC, Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini in southern Nepal. Nepal has been a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, and multi-cultural sovereign state, with Nepali as the official language.

Nepal's history includes the unification of Nepal by the Gorkha Kingdom in the 18th century, and later forming an alliance with the British Empire. The country was never colonised but served as a buffer state between Imperial China and British India. In 2008, Nepal became a secular republic, ending the world's last Hindu monarchy. Today, Nepal focuses on neutrality, sovereignty, and multilateral cooperation, and is a member of the United Nations and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Etymology

Main article: Name of Nepal

Before Nepal was one country, the Kathmandu Valley was already called Nepal. We are not exactly sure how the name started.

Some stories say Nepal was named after an old Hindu wise man named Ne. Another story says a wise person named Manjushri helped make the land, and Ne would watch over the people there. There are also ideas that the name comes from words meaning "foot of a mountain" or from old words for "cattle" and "keeper."

History

Main article: History of Nepal

Ancient Nepal

About 55,000 years ago, the first modern humans arrived in the area we now call South Asia. The oldest human remains there are about 30,000 years old. Evidence of early settlements in Nepal also goes back that far.

After 6500 BC, people began farming, raising animals, and building permanent homes. These settlements grew into what is known as the Indus Valley Civilisation, the first big city culture in South Asia. Many ancient sites from different time periods have been found in Nepal’s hills. The earliest people of Nepal likely came from this civilisation. Over time, other groups arrived, including people from Tibet and nearby areas.

By around 600 BC, small kingdoms began forming in southern Nepal. One of these was the Shakya kingdom, where a prince named Gautama Buddha was born. He later started Buddhism. Nepal became a place where many important religious traditions grew and spread, especially Buddhism to East Asia.

Medieval Nepal

In the 1100s, a strong kingdom led by the Khas people appeared in western Nepal. Their culture and language, which we now call Nepali, spread widely.

In the Kathmandu valley, a group called the Mallas took control in the 1300s. They built beautiful squares in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur that are still famous today. They ruled for many years, but their kingdoms eventually split up.

Unification, expansion and consolidation (1768–1951)

In the mid-1700s, a king named Prithvi Narayan Shah from the Gorkha area began bringing together many smaller kingdoms into one country, which is Nepal today. His successors expanded Nepal’s borders, though they faced wars with both Tibet and Britain.

In 1846, a new leadership called the Ranas took power. They ruled for many years, keeping the king as a figurehead and controlling the government themselves.

Contemporary history

In 1990, people in Nepal pushed for democratic government, and a new system was created. In 2006, peace talks ended a long conflict, and Nepal became a secular republic in 2008. The country continues to develop and face challenges, including recent protests and changes in leadership.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Nepal and Geology of Nepal

Nepal is a small country that looks a bit like a trapezoid. It is about 800 kilometres long and 200 kilometres wide, covering an area of 147,516 km². The country lies between latitudes 26° and 31°N, and longitudes 80° and 89°E.

Nepal sits where two huge land masses meet, the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. About 75 million years ago, these plates moved toward each other. This created the tall Himalayas mountains and also formed the flat lands to the south. Nepal is in the middle of this mountainous area, with a small part reaching down into the flat lands.

Nepal is divided into three main areas based on height: the Himal mountains in the north, which include very tall peaks like Mount Everest; the Pahad mountains in the middle, which are shorter but still very high; and the Terai lowlands in the south, which are flat and warm. The country has many different kinds of plants and animals because of its many heights and climates, from very hot lowlands to very cold high mountains.

Biodiversity

Main article: Wildlife of Nepal

See also: List of protected areas of Nepal and Community forestry in Nepal

Nepal has a rich variety of plants and animals for its size. The country's many heights create many different environments, from warm lowlands to cold high mountains. Nepal is home to many types of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, butterflies, and plants. The country has many forests and works to protect its wildlife through national parks and community programs.

Government and politics

Politics

Main articles: Politics of Nepal, Elections in Nepal, and Censorship in Nepal

Nepal is a country with many political parties. It is called the 'Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal' since 2015. There are seven national parties in its parliament. Two big parties are the CPN (UML) and the Nepali Congress.

In some years, Nepali Congress had most seats in parliament. After 2006, the Maoists joined politics and became a big party. After the 2017 elections, a new party was formed. After the 2022 election, a group of parties formed the government.

Government

Main articles: Government of Nepal and Constitution of Nepal

Nepal follows its Constitution. The government has three parts:

• Executive: The President appoints the leader of the biggest party as Prime Minister. The Prime Minister forms a group of leaders to run the country.
• Legislature: The Federal Parliament has two houses: the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. The House of Representatives has 275 members. The National Assembly has 59 members.
• Judiciary: Nepal has a Supreme Court, seven High Courts, and many district courts.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of Nepal

Nepal has 7 provinces. Each province has districts. Districts are made up of local areas called municipalities. There are many urban and rural municipalities. Each local area is divided into wards.

Laws and law enforcement

Main article: Law enforcement in Nepal

The Constitution of Nepal is the most important law. Nepal has laws about many things. The Supreme Court is the highest court. Nepal has no death penalty. The police force is called Nepal Police, and it keeps order and manages traffic. There is also a paramilitary force called Nepal Armed Police Force.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Nepal

Nepal works with other countries for safety. It has friendly ties with its neighbors and many other nations. Nepal is a member of SAARC, the UN, WTO, BIMSTEC, and ACD. Nepal has embassies in many places and helps with UN peacekeeping. Nepal has good relations with India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Japan, and Norway.

Military and intelligence

The President leads the Nepali Army. The army is mostly foot soldiers and has few airplanes. It helps with security, anti-poaching, and rescue work. The army also builds big projects. The Directorate of Military Intelligence and the National Investigation Department handle information matters.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Nepal

Nepal is a least developed country with a small economy. Many people there live in poverty. The country depends on money sent home by workers in places like Malaysia and the Middle East. Important jobs come from farming, making carpets and textiles, and tourism. Many visitors come to see famous sites like Mount Everest and Pokhara.

Nepal has challenges like tough terrain and few natural resources. The government works to help the economy grow, but many people still have very little. Tourism brings visitors to beautiful places and helps the local economy, but Nepal needs more development to support more people.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Nepal

Tourism is very important for Nepal because it provides jobs and supports the local economy. Famous places like Mount Everest and the Annapurna trekking circuit attract many visitors. Nepal became a popular place for travelers in the 1960s and 1970s and is still growing as a destination, though it needs better facilities for more tourists.

Infrastructure

Energy

Most of Nepal's energy comes from natural materials like wood and plants, and from fuels brought in from other countries. Only a small part of the country's energy comes from electricity. Nepal has many rivers that could provide lots of power, but so far, only a little has been used. Because of this, Nepal sometimes needs extra power from nearby countries.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Nepal

Nepal is far from big roads, trains, and ports used by other countries. Inside Nepal, there are airports and some roads, but many roads become hard to use during rainy weather. Most places in Nepal can be reached by road, but the roads are not always in good condition. Getting things like goods, people, and supplies to places can be difficult.

Communication

In Nepal, most people use mobile phones for calls and internet. There are also some fixed phones and internet services, but mobile is much more common. Mobile phone service covers most of the country, and more people are getting online using their phones.

Media

Main article: Mass media in Nepal

Nepal has television and radio stations run by the government and private companies. Many families in Nepal have radios, and some have televisions. There are also many newspapers and magazines available.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Nepal

People from Nepal are called Nepali or Nepalese. They come from three main groups that moved from India, Tibet, and North Burma, and the Chinese province of Yunnan through Assam. The earliest groups included the Kirat in the east, Newars in the Kathmandu Valley, the Tharus in the Terai plains, and the Khas Pahari people in the far-west hills. Most people live in the central highlands, with fewer people in the northern mountains.

Nepal is a country with many different groups of people, languages, and religions. There are 125 ethnic groups and 123 languages spoken there. In 2011, Nepal had about 26.5 million people. Many men work in other countries, which affects the number of women and men in Nepal.

Nepal is one of the least urban countries but is growing faster in cities. In 2014, about 18.3% of people lived in cities, mostly in places like the Terai valleys and the middle hills. The capital, Kathmandu, is known as the "City of temples" and is the largest city. Other big cities include Pokhara, Biratnagar, Lalitpur, Bharatpur, Birgunj, Dharan, Hetauda, and Nepalgunj. Cities are growing fast and face problems like traffic and not enough clean water.

Largest cities

Language

Main article: Languages of Nepal

Nepal has many languages from three big groups: Indo-Aryan, Sino-Tibetan, and some special indigenous language groups. The most common language is Nepali (44.6%), followed by Maithili (11.7%), Bhojpuri (6.0%), Tharu (5.8%), Tamang (5.1%), Nepal Bhasa (3.2%), Bajjika (3%), Magar (3.0%), Doteli (3.0%), Urdu (2.6%), Awadhi (1.89%), and Sunwar (1%). Nepal also has several sign languages.

Nepali, which comes from Sanskrit, is written in the Devanagari script and is the official language. It helps people from different groups talk to each other. Other languages like Maithili, Awadhi, and Bhojpuri are spoken in the southern Terai region. Urdu is common among Nepali Muslims. In the high mountains, people speak different kinds of Tibetan.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Nepal

Nepal is a country where many religions are respected. The main religion is Hinduism with 81.3% of people following it, making Nepal have the most Hindus in the world after India. Buddhism is next with 9%, followed by Islam (4.4%), Kirant beliefs (3.1%), Christianity (1.4%), and nature worship (0.5%). Nepal used to be a Hindu kingdom, and Shiva is seen as the country's protector. People in Nepal usually live together peacefully. Nepal’s laws protect people’s freedom to practice their religion.

Education

Main article: Education in Nepal

Nepal started modern education in 1951 when only 5% of people could read and write. By 2017, over seven million students went to more than 35,000 schools. Most children go to primary school, but fewer continue to secondary and college levels. Girls now go to school more than boys. Nepal has eleven universities and four science academies.

There are still problems with schools, like not enough books or teachers. The government offers free basic education and gives money to help girls, disabled students, and poor families send their children to school. Many students leave Nepal to study or work in other countries.

Health

Main article: Health in Nepal

Both government and private groups help people stay healthy in Nepal. In 2017, people lived about 71 years on average, which is better than in the past. Most health problems are from things like heart disease, but many people also get sick from poor cleaning and not enough good food. Nepal has improved health for mothers and children. Most children get special salt and vitamins. Mothers and babies are healthier now than before, but there is still work to do.

The government works with groups to help people stay healthy. Health centers give free medicines, and there is a plan to help families pay for health care. Programs to help mothers visit health centers and give birth in hospitals have helped. School meals and clean toilets are also part of keeping children healthy.

Immigrants and refugees

Main article: Demographics of Nepal § Foreign population in Nepal

Nepal welcomes people from other countries. Many people from Tibet and Bhutan live there as refugees. Tibetans started coming in 1959, and many Bhutanese came in the 1980s. By 2018, Nepal had about 20,800 refugees, most from Tibet and Bhutan. Some people from Africa, the Middle East, and nearby countries also live in Nepal. Nepal helps them move to other countries. There are also many people from India in Nepal, but they do not need special papers to live there.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Nepal

Nepali society has many groups, often called "castes." Nepal made unfair treatment illegal in 1963 and created laws for equal rights.

Family values are important, and many families live together. Marriages are often arranged by parents, and are seen as a lifelong promise.

Many Nepali festivals have religious meanings. Some well-known ones include Dashain, Tihar, Teej, Chhath, Maghi, Sakela, Holi, and the Nepali new year.

The emblem of Nepal shows the Himalayas, forests, and fertile lands, with symbols of unity and peace. Nepal's flag is not rectangular. The moon and sun on the flag show the calm and brave nature of Nepalis.

Symbols

Main article: National symbols of Nepal

The president stands for national unity. Heroes from history are honored for their service to Nepal.

Art and architecture

Main article: Architecture of Nepal

Nepali buildings include pagoda temples, stone carvings, and wooden structures. Traditional paintings and sculptures show great skill. The "ankhijhyal" window is a special design that lets you see outside.

Literature and the performing arts

Nepal's literature has deep roots in South Asian traditions. Modern Nepali literature began in the 19th century and includes many voices and styles. Traditional music and dance forms like Maruni, Lakhey, Sakela, Kauda, and Tamang Selo are still enjoyed. The Nepali film industry is known as "Kollywood."

Clothing

The traditional dress for both men and women has been simple and draped. Women often wear a sari, while men wear a dhoti. Over time, many people now wear modern clothes like jeans.

Cuisine

Nepali food varies by region but often includes rice, lentils, and vegetables with spices like ginger, garlic, and coriander. Dishes like dal-bhat, chapati, and Dhindo are common. Vegetarian cooking is popular among some groups. Newar cuisine is especially rich, with many dishes. Other regional foods include Thakali dishes and Terai specialties.

Sports and recreation

Main article: Sports in Nepal

Traditional Nepali games like dandi biyo and kabaddi are still played, especially in rural areas. Bagh-chal, a board game, remains popular. Children enjoy games like tag, hopscotch, and marbles. Football and cricket are popular professional sports. Nepal has had success in cricket and athletics but faces challenges in sports development.