About Nepal
Some brief information about Nepal can be found below to provide you with an appreciation and understanding of the country to whom you will be a guest. Many websites are available that cover the areas of Nepal’s political structure, economic issues, the people and its environment. The following is offered as a beginners guide.
The environment
Total Area: 140 800 square km
Land Boundaries: China 1 236 km and India 1 690 km
Climate (North): Cool summers and severe winters
Climate (South): Subtropical summers and mild winters
Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in the south, central hill region and rugged Himalayas in the north
Elevation Extremes: Kanchan Kalan 70m (lowest), Mount Everest 8 850m (highest)
Natural Resources: Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt and iron ore
Land Use: Arable land 21.68%
Natural Hazards: Severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity and duration of the summer monsoons
Current Environmental Issues: Deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives), contaminated water (with human and animal wastes), wildlife conservations, vehicular emissions
The People
Population: 27 070 666
Age Structure: 0-14 years: 39.4% (Male 5 500 698, Female 5 151 705)
15-64 years: 57% (Male 7 912 553, Female 503 282)
65+ years: 3.6% (Male 483 998, Female 503 282)
Infant Mortality Rate: 68.77 deaths/1000 live births
Life Expectancy: 59.4 years
Ethnic Groups: Brahman, Chetri, Newar, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tharu, and others.
Religions: Hinduism 86.2%, Buddhism 7.8%, Islam 3.8%, other 2.2%
Languages: Nepali is the official language spoken by 90% of the population. A dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects also exist
Literacy: Male 62.7%, Female 27.6% (people aged 15 and over who can read and write)
