Modern Nepal is a federal secular parliamentary republic. It has seven states. Nepal is a developing nation, ranking 144th on the Human Development Index in 2016. The country struggles with the transition from a monarchy to a republic. It also suffers from high levels of hunger and poverty. Despite these challenges, Nepal is making steady progress, with the government declaring its commitment to elevate the nation from least developed country status by 2022. Nepal also has a vast potential to generate hydropower for export.
Languages: 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
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%
Belief Systems: Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9%
Demographics:
Population: 32.1 million people (World Rank: 41st) (2014 estimate)
Population Density: 579 people/mi^2 (People per Square Mile) (World Rank: 60th) (2014 estimate)
Population Growth: 1.69 %/yr (World Rank: 75th) (2013 estimate)
Life Expectancy: 68.4 years (World Rank: 161st) (2013 estimate)
Median Age: 21.3 years (World Rank: 140th) (2010 estimate) Sites for More Information:
Map of Nepal
Worldatlas.com
Country Profile for Nepal
United Nations
Nepal - Country Profile
U.S. Library of Congress
Nepal - Facts and Information 1
Encyclopedia.com
Nepal - Facts and Information 2
World Factbook
Culture and Tourism:
Traveling to Nepal
Travelnotes.org
Travel Guide for Nepal
Wikitravel Entry for Nepal
Language Resources:
Nepali alphabet, pronunciation, and language
Omniglot.com
Learn Nepali Online
Mylanguages.org
Government Related:
Embassy of Nepal
in Washington D.C.
Government Websites of Nepal
by Gunnar Anzinger
