The country can be divided into three main physical regions, from south to north—the lowland, hill, and mountain regions. The lowlands border India and are called the Tarai. This region contains flat, fertile land. The hill region includes forested hills, the Mahabharat mountain range, and the valleys of Kathmandu and Pokhara. Most of Nepal's people live in the hill region. Kathmandu Valley is the cultural and political center of the nation. To the north lie the mountains of the Himalayas. The major rivers of Nepal are the Kosi, Narayani (Gandak), and Karnali.
Forests are among Nepal's greatest natural resources. The forests provide wood and herbs used as medicines. The most valuable commercially are the vast forests of the Himalayas. These forests contain spruce, fir, cypress, juniper, and birch trees.
Nepal's varied wildlife includes tigers, leopards, deer, rhinoceroses, and musk deer. Nepal is one of the few places where the endangered great Indian rhinoceros still lives. In the past the animal was hunted so heavily it almost completely died out. The rhinoceros is now protected by law. Some people believe that the Yeti, or Abominable Snowman, lives in the high snow-covered mountains. The Yeti is generally regarded as mythical.
The Nepalese population includes several ethnic groups, including the native Newars and many groups who came over from India and Tibet. Hinduism is the official religion and is practiced by most of the people. However, Hinduism and Buddhism have existed side by side in Nepal for centuries. The two religions have become closely interwoven. The official language is Nepali, which is derived from the Sanskrit language.
Hindu and Buddhist themes appear in the country's sculpture, painting, architecture, and drama. Many examples of fine woodcarving and stone sculptures are preserved in the many temples and Buddhist shrines.
Nepal is one of the poorest nations in the world. About 80 percent of the people work in farming. Rice, corn, and wheat are the main crops. Potatoes, sugarcane, and millet are also widely grown. Farmers raise herds of sheep, cattle, and long-haired oxen known as yaks.
A plant fiber called jute is one of Nepal's most important exports. Other exports include grains, wood, and textiles. Nepal imports fuel, construction materials, fertilizers, metals, and many manufactured goods. Tourism has been an important source of income.
Nepal's cultural and political history can be traced back about 2,500 years. The Malla family ruled from the 10th to 18th century AD. In 1769 the Malla were defeated by Prithvi Narayan Shah, who was king of the nearby state of Gurkha. Shah laid the foundation of modern Nepal by unifying a number of small, independent kingdoms. In 1846 the Shah rulers lost control of the country to the Rana noble family.
A revolution overthrew the Rana government in 1951. Power was returned to the Shah family. In 1972 Birendra Shah became king. In 1990 there were many violent strikes and protests over the king's absolute power. A new constitution allowed political parties and established a two-house legislature.
A group of rebels began fighting the government in 1996. The rebels wanted to establish a one-party Communist republic. More than 1,500 people were killed during uprisings over the next few years.
In 2001 King Birendra was killed by his son, Prince Dipendra. Birendra's brother Gyanendra then became king. Population (2001 estimate), 25,284,000.
The kingdom of Nepal is a small country in Asia. It is sandwiched between two large powers, China and India. Mountains cover about 75 percent of the land. The high, rugged mountains make Nepal one of the most geographically isolated countries in the world. For a long time, government policy also favored isolation. The country remained mostly closed to the outside world until 1951.
Nepal is home to Mount Everest. At 29,028 feet (8,848 meters) above sea level, Mount Everest is the world's highest peak. Lumbini, in southern Nepal, was the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. The country's capital is Kathmandu.
Nepal is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north. It is bordered on all other sides by India. Nepal's area is 56,827 square miles (147,181 square kilometers).
