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 About Nepal |
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Perched on the southern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains, the Kingdom of Nepal is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, and the only official Hindu state in the world. Eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, including Mount Everest, are in Nepal. Also spectacular is Nepal’s wildlife, which includes tigers, leopards, gaur, elephants, buffalo, deer and rhinos.
Nepal was created in 1768 from various small principalities. Under the control of a hereditary king, Nepal became a buffer state between the British empire and territories to the north. The main apparatus of British rule from the mid-19th century on was a hereditary prime minister drawn from the Rana family. While Nepal became formally independent in 1923, true independence was realized only in 1947 with the total withdrawal of the British from the region.
In 1951, the Ranas were overthrown in a coup, and a hereditary monarchy was restored under King Tribhuvan. But in effect, dictatorship eventually followed. In the late 1980s demonstrations led to the multiparty elections of 1991. Tragedy occurred in 2001 when the popular King Birendra and much of the royal family were killed in the palace, apparently by the crown prince, who himself died of a gunshot wound believed to have been self-inflicted.
Nepal entered the modern era in 1951 as an isolated, agrarian society without schools, hospitals, roads, telecommunications, electric power, industry, or a civil service. The country has made progress toward sustainable economic growth, and is committed to a program of economic liberalization. But the transition to democracy has been and continues to be difficult. The country is plagued by an ineffective bureaucracy, corruption, and an ever-widening gap between rich and poor. Partly because of these problems, Maoist rebels based in western Nepal have been fighting a small-scale war against the central government since the mid-1990s. Political parties have indicated that they plan to continue to hold protests and mass demonstrations against the government. In the past, protestors have used violence, including burning vehicles, throwing rocks during street demonstrations, and burning tires to block traffic. |
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Location |
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Nepal is a landlocked country, sharing borders with Tibet to the north and northwest, and India to the west, south, and east. The greater part of the country lies on the southern slope of the Himalayas, extending down from the highest peaks to the upper edge of the Ganges Plain. |
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Population |
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Descending from three major migrations from India, Tibet, and Central Asia, Nepal’s ethnically diverse population numbers about 28 million. The major groups of people are the Chhettri, Brahman-Hill, Magar, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Kami, Yadav, Rai, Limbu, Bhotias, and Sherpa.
Nepal is about 81% Hindu, and there are more than 2,700 religious shrines in the Kathmandu Valley alone. Buddhists account for about 11% of the population. There are also small Muslim and Christian minorities. Some animistic practices of old indigenous religions survive.
With a per capita income of just over $240, the people of Nepal rank among the world's poorest. An estimated 38% of the population lives below the poverty line. |
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Language |
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Nepali, derived from Sanskrit, and related to the Indian language Hindi, is the official language of Nepal. In addition, more than a dozen other languages, and about 30 major dialects are spoken throughout the country. Many Nepalese in government and business also speak English. |
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Education |
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Literacy rates in Nepal are rising, but statistically just over half the population over the age of 15 can read and write. While the number of educational institutions has grown over the past years, the quality of education falls way short of Western standards. Schools and colleges have been frequently closed due to strikes. Respect for teachers has been seemingly absent, and cheating on exams has been rampant at all levels of schooling.
Westerners living in Nepal generally choose to educate their children in private schools, mostly located in the Kathmandu Valley, or in boarding schools in Singapore or India. |
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Weather |
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Nepal’s weather, influenced by elevation and by a subtropical latitude, is extremely varied.
In the Tarai or lowlands which border India, the climate is hot and humid, with subtropical monsoon conditions from approximately the end of June to the middle of September. At this time, there is 30 – 60 inches of rain, or about 80 per cent of the country’s rainfall. Summer and late spring temperatures in the Tarai reach more than 104F (40C), and winter temperatures average from 45 to 74F (7-23C).
In the mid-mountain region with elevations from 4,000 to 7,000 feet, there is a warm temperate climate. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 4297 feet, experiences temperatures ranging from 67 to 81F (19-27C) in summer, and 36 to 68F (2-20C) in winter.
Cool temperate conditions prevail in the mountains between 7,000 and 11,000 feet, and an Alpine climate is present at altitudes between 14,000 and 16,000 feet, along the lower slopes of the Himalayas. At altitudes above 16,000 feet the temperature is always below freezing, and the ground covered by snow and ice. |
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Money and Cost of Living |
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The cost of living in Nepal is extremely reasonable, in fact, cheap compared to most other countries. Living in a palatial home with household help can cost as little as $500 a month.
Banks in the Kathmandu valley are open Mon-Fri 0900-1430. In other areas, opening hours are usually Sun-Thurs 1000-1430 and Fri 1000-1200. Licensed money changers are open 12 hours a day. |
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Currency |
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The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR) = 100 paisa. Notes are in denominations of NPR1000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of NPR5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 paisa. |
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Health |
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Full medical insurance is essential, preferably with an evacuation clause. Medical care is generally not up to Western standards. Serious illnesses often require evacuation to a medical facility in Singapore, Bangkok or New Delhi. Pharmacies in Kathmandu offer a range of Western drugs at low prices.
No vaccinations are required for entry to Nepal, but before moving to Nepal it is recommended to be up-to-date on immunizations for hepatitis A and B, rabies, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis (if you plan to be in southern, lowland, rural areas), tetanus-diptheria, measles, and polio. Cholera can be a risk, and precautions are essential.
There have been recent reports of typhoid drug resistance in Nepal. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by an infected person. Vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics.
A malaria risk in rural areas in the Terai and Hill Districts is present. People who will be in these areas should take an antimalarial drug. There is no malaria risk at altitudes higher than 3,937 feet (1,200 meters), in Kathmandu, or on typical Himalayan treks. Other insect-carried diseases such as visceral leishmaniasis can occur. Protecting yourself from insect bites will help to prevent these diseases. Parasitic and bacterial infections may be found in fresh water. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water, and swim in swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained.
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated, and bottled water or water that has been sterilized are necessary. Be careful with regard to drinks that contain ice made from tap water. Milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled. Powdered or canned milk, reconstituted with pure water, is recommended. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise carry increased risks. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
In the Himalayas, high altitude sickness is a hazard. Ascents should be made gradually to allow time for the body to adjust to the high altitude, which can cause insomnia, headaches, nausea, and altitude sickness. Also, the risk of sunburn is greater at high altitudes, and the use of at least 15 SPF sunblock is prudent. |
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Weights and Measures |
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Nepal uses the metric system, with units in grams and kilograms, and milliliters and liters. |
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Electricity |
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Nepal uses 230V and 50Hz electricity, with C and D plugs. C plugs, common in most universal adaptor sets, are the round pin attachment type, and can also be used with E, F, and some L receptacles. D plugs are the round pin with ground type. There are frequent power cuts in Nepal. |
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