Nepal (Nepali:नेपाल) is a country inSouth Asia betweenIndia andChina.Mount Everest, the highestmountain in the world, and the centralHimalaya Mountains are in Nepal.[17] 12 of the world's highest mountain peaks are in Nepal.[18] It is also the birthplace ofBuddha.[19] It has recently become asecular country, but before it was the onlyHinduKingdom in the world. Nepal is a very importantpilgrimage place for both Hindus and Buddhists. The population of Nepal in 2021 was almost 29 million people.[20][21]Nepali is the official language of the country, but there are many other regional languages in Nepal. Many people in Nepal understandEnglish andHindi as well. The capital city of Nepal isKathmandu, which has a population of over 1.4 million people. The second-largest city isPokhara. Pokhara is a major tourist attraction of Nepal which is rich in natural beauty. Pokhara includes many lakes,Phewa Tal is one of them.
Nepal used to be an agricultural country until 1950. Since 1951 it entered the modern era and has made progress. Agriculture, however, is still a major economic activity. 80% of the people do agricultural works and it provides 37% of GDP. Only about 20% of the total area is cultivable while another 33% is covered by forest. Most of the remaining land is covered by mountains. Rice and wheat are the main food crops. The lowland Terai region produces a high amount of agricultural products. A part of those products is supplied to the hill areas, which produces less.
China is the 2nd largest exporter to Nepal, but its imports from Nepal are zero. This burdens Nepal's monetary stability and monetary balance. India is the largest buyer of Nepal's goods.The yearlymonsoon rain, or lack of it, strongly influences economic growth. From 1996 to 1999, real GDP growth averaged less than 4%. The growth rate recovered in 1999, rising to 6% before slipping slightly in 2001 to 5.5%. Nepal has 1/3 of its trade with India.
Indo-Aryan Pahadi (hilly) women ofKhas group in Hindu outfitTibeto-Burman women of Tamang caste in rural outfit
The people of Nepal belong to two main groups;Indo-Aryan group andTibeto-Burman group. Indo-Aryans are mostly Hindus and Sikhs and they celebrate Hindu and Sikh festivals likeDashain,Tihar, Vaisakhi, Gurpurabs, Maghi, Hola, Bandi Chhor diwas, Teej, Magh Sankranti, Krishna Janmastami, Holi, Janai Purnima, Matatirtha Aunsi, Chhath, etc. Tibeto-Burmans are Buddhist and they celebrate Lhosar, Buddha Jayanti, etc.[23]
Modern education in Nepal started with the opening of the first school in 1853. This school was only for the members of the ruling families and their courtiers. Schooling for the general people began only after 1951. It was when a popular movement ended theautocratic Rana family regime and started a democratic system. In the past 50 years, there has been a big expansion of education facilities in the country. As a result, adult literacy (age 15+) of the country was reported to be 48.2% (female: 34.6%, male: 62.2%) in the Population Census, 2001, up from about 5% in 1952–54. In the beginning in 1951, there were about 300 schools and two colleges with around 10,000 students. Now, there are more than 26,000 schools (including higher secondary), 415 colleges, five universities, and two academies of higher studies. In total, 5.5 million students are studying in those schools and colleges who are taught by more than 150,000 teachers.Despite such examples of success, there are many problems and challenges. Education management, quality, usefulness, and access are some of the major issues of education in Nepal. Social differences based on gender, ethnicity, location, economic class, etc. are still there in some places. Lack of resources has always been a problem in education. These problems have made the goal of education for all a challenge for the country.
The national cuisine of Nepal isDhindo andGundruk. Dhindo is a type of dough that is served very hot. Gundruk is a dish withfermented green vegetables.
KingPrithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha invaded the Kathmandu Valley in 1786 and unified Nepal. Before the unification, Nepal was ruled by various Kirats, Lichchavis, Thakuris and Mallas. The history mentioned that Kirats ruled Nepal during the 7th century BC. Though much was not known about Kirats, the Lichchavi dynasty ruled after them. Lichchavi rule lasted from the 2nd to 9th century AD. After Lichchavis, Nepal was ruled by the Thakuris who were followed by the Mallas for two centuries. Nepal was divided into many principalities and small kingdoms in the fifth centuries of Malla rule.
Jang Bahadur Rana the then Prime Minister of Nepal revolted against the royalty in 1844. The famous Kot Massacre took place during this period in which numbers of noblemen were killed. The Rana took absolute power but continued to maintain the Shah family in the palace. The 104 years regime of Ranas came to and end due to their autocratic rules.
In November 1950, King Tribhuvan restored democracy overthrowing the Rana regime with large number of Nepalese people support. He restored Shah Regime again in Nepal. After his death King Mahendra had ruled in Nepal from 13 March 1955 to 31 January 1972.
Birendra ruled Nepal from 31 January 1972 to 1 June 2001. He was known as a most noble and peaceful king of Nepal. The entire family of King Birendra was killed in June 2001 popularly Known as Royal Massacre 2001. Prince Dipendra was made King while he was on coma stage, later he died in hospital bed. After the death of Dipendra,Gyanendra Shah late King Birendra’s brother became the King of Nepal.
King Gyanendra Shah was dethroned in 2006 after adecade long People’s revolution led bycommunist party of Nepal (Maoist) and several weeks protest by major political parties. After that, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal was established.
↑The Sugauli Treaty of 1816 rendered moot the degree of independence of Nepal. The sixth point of the treaty directly questions the degree of independence of Nepal. The fact that any differences between Nepal and Sikkim will be "referred to the arbitration of the East India Company" sees Nepal as a semi-independent or a vassal state or tributary of the British empire.
↑Formal recognition of Nepal as an independent and sovereign state by Great Britain.
↑Buskey, Theresa (March 2001). "II". In Alan Christopherson, M.S. (ed.).History and Geography. LIFEPAC. 804 N. 2nd Ave. E. Rock Rapids: Alpha Omega Publications, Inc. p. 21.ISBN978-1-58095-157-9. Retrieved26 January 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
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