Nepal is a small landlocked country in South Asia, bordered by China and India. It has a varied landscape and is home to the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. Nepal has a complex history, including the unification of three kingdoms in the 15th century and the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1815-1816. The Rana dynasty and monarchy ruled until 1953, when democracy was attempted. The country has experienced instability, including a civil war in 1996. Nepal’s economy is based on agriculture, services, and industry, with high unemployment and reliance on foreign aid. The official language is Nepali, and Hinduism is the main religion.
The state of Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia bordered by China to the north and India to the south. The capital of this country is Kathmandu. Nepal, though small, has a dramatic and varied landscape and is home to the Himalayas. Eight of the ten highest mountains in the world are here, including the tallest, Everest.
Nepal has a complex history dating back thousands of years. For much of its existence, the country has been controlled by external powers based in India. In the late 15th century, Nepal separated into three rival kingdoms, Kathmandu, Patan and Bhadgaon. The dawn of modern Nepal was in 15, when the three kingdoms were unified under the Gorkha ruler Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Nepal defended its territories against the British East India Company in the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1815 to 1816. There were heavy casualties on both sides and Nepal lost many of its outlying territories, although it retained its current borders and gained the autonomy. The Nepalese government was unstable after the war and the queen regnant lost her power in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow military leader Jang Bahadur in 1846. Bahadur became the first ruler of the Rana dynasty, which lasted until 1953. The Rana family is still powerful in the country, as is the Shah family, hereditary monarchy.
Nepal became pro-British during the Rana dynasty and signed a friendship agreement with the UK in 1923. In the early 1950s, the Rana dynasty fell apart under Indian influence. Democracy was attempted but abandoned in 1959 in favor of a traditional Indian village-based system of government known as a panchayat, headed by an absolute monarch.
Change came again in 1989, when the Jana Andolan Popular Movement pushed for a multi-party democratic system. A parliament was established in 1991 and the country’s first democratic elections were held in the same year. However, instability in the region continues to the present day. In 1996, the Civil War broke out, instigated by the Maoist rebels. In 2006, peace negotiations between the Maoists and the government took place and an interim government was established.
The economy of Nepal is mainly based on agriculture, but also on services and industry. This country has a high unemployment rate, prompting many to look for work in neighboring India. Foreign aid from many countries around the world is important to its economy.
Nepali is the official language, but less than half of the population speaks it as their mother tongue. Hinduism is the main religion, while Buddhism, Islam and Kirant are important minority faiths. Traditional folklore, song and dance are alive and influential in Nepalese culture.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
