The Only Hindu Kingdom in the World
GEOGRAPHY
Location Southern
Asia
Elevation Extremes
Kanchan
Kalan – 70 m
Mount Everest – 8,850 m
Geography landlocked between China and India; considered
a buffer state
POPULATION
Population 27,070,666
(July 2004)
Life Expectancy
Total
Population – 59.4 years
Female – 56.06 years
Male – 59.73 years
Nationality Nepalese
Ethnic Groups Brahman, Chetri, Newar, Gurung,
Magar, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tharu, and others (1995)
Religions Hinduism 86.2%, Buddhism 7.8%, Islam 3.8%,
other 2.2%
GOVERNMENT
Government Parliamentary
Democracy and Constitutional Monarchy
Capital Kathmandu
Constitution 9 November 1990
Independence 1768
National Holiday 7 July (King
Gyanendra’s
Birthday)
ECONOMY
Nepal is a very capital-centered country, with most
of the economic activity occurring in Kathmandu while 42%
of the population live below
the poverty line.
GDP 38.07
billion (2003)
Labor Force 10 million
Labor Force by Occupation
Agriculture – 81%
Services – 16%
Industry – 3%
Unemployment Rate 47% (2001)
Currency Nepalese rupee (NPR)
*(www.worldfacts.us/Nepal)
Created by Lauren Wessler for Mount Holyoke College
Last Updated May 12, 2005