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infoGeneral informationkeyboard_arrow_up
- Country common name: Nepal
- Country official name: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal )
- Continent: Asia
- 3-Letter abbreviation: NEP
- 2-Letter abbreviation: NP
- Capital: Katmandu
- Major cities: 1.424 million KATHMANDU (capital)
- Currency: Nepalese rupee (click for current conversion rates)
- Languages: Nepali (official) 44.6%, Maithali 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Bajjika 3%, Magar 3%, Doteli 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, Baitadeli 1%, other 6.4%, unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)
- Motto: "Janani Janmabhumishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi" (Sanskrit) "Mother and motherland are greater than heaven"
- National holiday(s): Constitution Day, 20 September (2015) - 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
flagGovernmentkeyboard_arrow_up- 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), Purna Bahadur KHADKA (since 31 March 2023) (an)
- Government type: federal parliamentary republic
insert_photoCountry notes & photographskeyboard_arrow_up{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nepal"},{"insert":", officially the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal"},{"insert":", is a sovereign country in South Asia. It is located mainly in the Himalayas, but also includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is the 49th largest country by population and 93rd largest country by area. It is landlocked and borders Tibet in the north and India in the south, east and west, while Bangladesh is located only 27 km (17 mi) from its southeastern tip and Bhutan is separated from it by the Indian state of Sikkim. Nepal has a diverse geography, including fertile plains, sub-alpine forested hills, and eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mount Everest"},{"insert":", the highest point on Earth. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kathmandu"},{"insert":" is the capital and the largest city. Nepal is a mult-iethnic country, with Nepali as the official language.\n\nThe name \"Nepal\" is first recorded in texts from the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Vedic period"},{"insert":" of the Indian subcontinent, the era in ancient Nepal when Hinduism was founded, the predominant religion of the country. In the middle of the first millennium BC, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gautama Buddha"},{"insert":", the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini in southern Nepal. Parts of northern Nepal were intertwined with the culture of Tibet. The centrally located Kathmandu Valley is intertwined with the culture of Indo-Aryans, and was the seat of the prosperous "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Newar confederacy"},{"insert":" known as "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nepal Mandala"},{"insert":". The Himalayan branch of the ancient "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Silk Road"},{"insert":" was dominated by the valley's traders. The cosmopolitan region developed "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"distinct traditional art"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"architecture"},{"insert":".\n\nBy the 18th century, the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gorkha Kingdom"},{"insert":" achieved the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"unification of Nepa"},{"insert":"l. The Shah dynasty established the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kingdom of Nepal"},{"insert":" and later formed an alliance with the British Empire, under its Rana dynasty of premiers. The country was never colonized but served as a buffer state between Imperial China and British India. Parliamentary democracy was introduced in 1951 but was twice suspended by Nepalese monarchs, in 1960 and 2005. The Nepalese Civil War in the 1990s and early 2000s resulted in the establishment of a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"secular republic"},{"insert":" in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2008"},{"insert":", ending the world's last Hindu monarchy.\n\nThe Constitution of Nepal, adopted in 2015, affirms Nepal as a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"secular federal parliamentary republic"},{"insert":" divided into seven provinces. It remains the only multi-party, fully democratic nation in the world ruled by a communist party. Nepal was admitted to the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"United Nations"},{"insert":" in 1955, and friendship treaties were signed with India in 1950 and the People's Republic of China in 1960. Nepal hosts the permanent secretariat of the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)"},{"insert":", of which it is a founding member. Nepal is also a member of the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Non-Aligned Movement"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"and the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Bay of Bengal Initiative"},{"insert":". The military of Nepal is the fifth largest in South Asia; it is notable for its Gurkha history, particularly during the world wars, and has been a significant contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations.\n"}]}terrainGeographic informationkeyboard_arrow_up- Surface area (in km²): 147,181
- Highest point: Mount Everest (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level) 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft)
- Neighboring countries: China 1389 km, India 1770 km
- Neighboring seas and oceans: None
- Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
radioRadio stationskeyboard_arrow_upsupervised_user_circlePopulationkeyboard_arrow_up- Population: 30,899,443
- Population density (inhabitants per km²): 209.9
- Average age (in years): 25.3
- Life expectancy at birth (in years): 71.8
- Ethnicity: Chhettri 16.6%, Brahman-Hill 12.2%, Magar 7.1%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.8%, Newar 5%, Kami 4.8%, Muslim 4.4%, Yadav 4%, Rai 2.3%, Gurung 2%, Damai/Dholii 1.8%, Thakuri 1.6%, Limbu 1.5%, Sarki 1.4%, Teli 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.3%, Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2%, other 19%
- Gross domestic product (GDP) per inhabitant (in US dollars): 3,800
- Cultural practices: After food has touched ones lips, many Nepalese consider it unclean.
local_diningPopular food & drinkskeyboard_arrow_up{"ops":[{"insert":"The "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"staple food"},{"insert":" of each Nepali household, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Dal Bhat "},{"insert":"is mainly rice served along with lentil soup and vegetable curry or chicken (or meat). This meal is the most beloved one amongst Nepali people as it's wholesome and provides with the needed nutrition. When served in a restaurant or at home, the rice and lentil curry is accompanied by a variety of seasonable vegetable and meat curries (spinach, potato, mushroom, chicken, buffalo, etc), as well as a salad, pickles, papad and curd. It's not just a dish, it's a full meal and a tasty and satisfying one at that.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Momo "},{"insert":"is a Nepalese style "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"dumpling "},{"insert":"filled with minced meat in a flour dough, given different shapes and then cooked by "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"steaming"},{"insert":". It is one of the most popular foods in Nepal and the regions of Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong in India where ethnic Nepalese have a presence. Momo were originally filled with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"buffalo meat"},{"insert":" but are now commonly filled with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"goat "},{"insert":"or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"chicken"},{"insert":", as well as vegetarian preparations. Momos are served with different kinds of sauces and mayonnaise which makes the combination a delicious snack. This food has taken India by storm and is a popular street food across many countries as well. \n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"A fusion of doughnut and bagel, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sel Roti"},{"insert":" is one of the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"most sought after snack"},{"insert":" in Nepal during festivals like Tihar and Dashain. It is a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"circular rice flour bread"},{"insert":" which is deeply fried to make it crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is crispy and sweet and tastes best with yogurt or veggies. A semi-liquid rice flour dough is usually prepared by adding milk, water, cooking oil, sugar, ghee, butter, cardamom, cloves, bananas and other flavors of personal choice. The ingredients are mixed well by stirring. Once the semi liquid dough is ready, it is deep fried in boiling oil or ghee. The dough is poured by hand on home-made shortening or oil in ring shape and cooked on high heat until it turns light brown on both sides.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"Nepal is home to a small number of quality breweries producing many fine local beer brands that offer a refreshing experience for the domestic and visiting beer consumers. Among the most popular local beer brands are "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Everest"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nepal Ice"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sherpa Craft"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gorkha"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kathmandu "},{"insert":"and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Arna Beer"},{"insert":".\n"}]}
local_post_officePostage stampskeyboard_arrow_up{"ops":[{"insert":"The "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"first Nepalese postage stamps"},{"insert":" were issued in April "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1881"},{"insert":" as a set of three, in denominations of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"one anna"},{"insert":" ("},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"above"},{"insert":"), two annas, and four annas, They were inscribed as the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kingdom of Gorkha"},{"insert":" in Nepali script. These were initially perforated and printed on European-made paper. Within a few months they were released imperforate. In 1886 they were reprinted on hand-made Nepalese paper. The designs remained basically unchanged, but a new denomination of one-half anna was added in 1899. Numerous printings of these first three values on the local paper were made for postal use until "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1907"},{"insert":", when new European-manufactured stamps picturing the god "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Pashupati "},{"insert":"were issued. The remainders of first three values were brought out of storage and reissued for telegraph use in 1917. Several more telegraph era printings followed. The last of these printings was in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1929"},{"insert":".\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"A Nepalese stamps from "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1907"},{"insert":" depicting god "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Pashupati"},{"insert":". Pashupati is believed by Hindus to be an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva as \""},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"lord of the animals"},{"insert":"\". He is revered by Shaivites throughout the Hindu world. In general, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Pashupatinath "},{"insert":"means lord of all animals.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"The above 2019 stamp commemorates the"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true,"link":"https://directoryw.com/country.php?id=172"},"insert":"Sri Lanka"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"."},{"insert":" While formal diplomatic relations were established in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1957"},{"insert":", Nepal-Sri Lanka relations are historic and date back to the era of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gautama Buddha"},{"insert":". On the occasion, Nepal's Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi stated: “Apart from diplomatic relations, we also have cultural relations. And, we should take this relationship to a new height,†He also thanked Sri Lanka for its help in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nepal’s reconstruction endeavours after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake"},{"insert":". On the occasion, Sri Lankan Ambassador WS Pereira talked about the close cultural and religious ties between the two countries. Stating that "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"every Sri Lankan would want to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha"},{"insert":" at least once in their lifetime, she said relations between the two counters had gone from strength to strength over the years.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"This stamp from the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2019 Nepal Fauna - Snails "},{"insert":"set features the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Rishetia kathmandica"},{"insert":" land snail. A "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"land snail"},{"insert":" is any of the numerous species of snail that live on land, as opposed to the sea snails and freshwater snails. Land snail is the common name for terrestrial gastropod mollusks that have shells (those without shells are known as slugs). However, it is not always easy to say which species are terrestrial, because some are more or less amphibious between land and fresh water, and others are relatively amphibious between land and salt water. The above species, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Rishetia kathmandica, "},{"insert":"was first reported in a "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/13252/element/7/0/rishetia%20kathmandica/"},"insert":"2017 scientific paper"},{"insert":" published in "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"ZooKeys"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"insert":"a \"peer-reviewed, open-access, rapidly disseminated journal launched to accelerate research and free information exchange in taxonomy, phylogeny, biogeography and evolution of animals\".\n"}]}
tap_and_playTelephone & Internet communicationkeyboard_arrow_up- Country international telephone code: +977
- Local emergency telephone number(s): Ambulance: 228094; Fire: local number; Police: 100
- Internet code: .np
- Number of Internet users: 5,716,419
- Percentage of Internet-connected population: 18.5%
gradeAlso useful to knowkeyboard_arrow_up- Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. For recommendations please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO), or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) websites.
- Potable/drinkable water: Opt for bottled water.
- International driving permit: An IDP is required, and after 15 days, a local license is required.
- Road driving side: Left
-
Electricity/Voltage/Plug type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): C, D, M
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