Population
Population: 29,519,114 (July 2008 est.)
Capital: Katmandu
Nationality: Nepalese
Ethnic groups: Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census from www.cia.gov)
Language: Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5%
*note: many in government and business also speak English
Government
In May 2008 Nepal abolished the constitutional monarchy and became a republic.
Economy
Almost one-third of Nepal's population lives below the poverty line, making it one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Agriculture provides a livelihood for many, but approximately 42% are listed as unemployed.
Political unrest has led to a decrease in tourism, a key source of income for Nepal. Prospects for foreign trade or investment in other sectors will remain poor, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, its landlocked geographic location, its civil strife, and its susceptibility to natural disaster.
Currency (code): Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees per US dollar - NA (2007), 72.446 (2006), 72.16 (2005)
|
