Kathmandu
Prague
Kathmandu
Prague
| Official Name: | Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal |
| Location: | Southern Asia, between China and India |
| Geographic coordinates: | 28°00' N, 84°00' E |
| Time zone: | NPT (UTC+5:45) |
| Population: | 30,986,975 (July 2014 est.) |
| Capital: | Kathmandu (population: 975,453(2.5 million metropolitan area)) |
| Major cities: | Pokhara |
| Nationality: | Nepalese (singular and plural) (Nound, Adjective) |
| Currency: | Nepalese Rupee (NPR) |
| Country code: | NPL |
| Ethnic groups: |
Chhettri 16.6%, Brahman-Hill 12.2%, Magar 7.1%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.8%, Newar 5%, Kami 4.8%, Muslim 4.4%, Yadav 4%, Rai 2.3%, Gurung 2%, Damai/Dholii 1.8%, Thakuri 1.6%, Limbu 1.5%, Sarki 1.4%, Teli 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.3%, Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2%, other 19% note: 125 caste/ethnic groups were reported in the 2011 national census (2011 est.) |
| Languages: | Nepali (official) 44.6%, Maithali 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Magar 3%, Bajjika 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, other 10.4%, unspecified 0.2% note: 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2011 national census; many in government and business also speak English (2011 est.) |
| Religions: | Hindu 81.3%, Buddhist 9%, Muslim 4.4%, Kirant 3.1%, Christian 1.4%, other 0.5%, unspecifed 0.2% (2011 est.) |
| Area: |
Total: 147,181 sq km Land: 143,351 sq km Water: 3,830 sq km |
| Land boundaries: |
Total: 2,926 km Border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km |
| Climate: | Varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south |
| Terrain: | Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north |
| Elevation extremes: |
Lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m Highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m (highest point in Asia) |
| Natural resources: | Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore |
| Geography - note: | landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively |
| Administrative divisions: | 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti |
| Government type: | Federal democratic republic |
| Legal system: | English common law and Hindu legal concepts |
| President: | Bidhya Devi Bhandari (since 29 October 2015) |
| Vice President: | Nanda Kishor Pun (since 31st October 2015) |
| Prime Minister: | Pushpa Kamal Dahal (since 4 August 2016) |
| National symbol: | Rhododendron blossom |
| National anthem: | "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers) |
| Independence: | 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH) |
| National holiday: |
Republic Day, 29 May January 15 - The first day of the month of Magh January 30 - Martyr's day in Nepal remembering the first four Martys of Nepal. January 31 - One out of the four Losars celebrated specially by the Tamang community. February 4 - Schools celebrate this day by worshiping Goddess Saraswati, Hindu Goddess of knowledge, music, arts and nature. February 19 - Democracy day of Nepal. February 27 - Celebrated in reverence of Lord Shiva. October 27-30 - Nepali people of Madhesi and hill ethnicity of Terai. March 8 - International Women's Day March 16 - known as holi, the festival of colors March 30 - Observed primarily in Kathmandu valley with horse parades in Tundikhel. April 8 - Birthday of Lord Rama. April 14 - Nepalese New Year or the first day of Bikram Sambat calendar. April 24 - Democracy day of Nepal. May 1 - International labor day May 14 - Birth date of Lord Gautam Buddha, born in Nepal May 29 - Republic day in Nepal August 10 - Sacred thread festival August 11 - Celebrated only in Kathmandu, this festival worships cows Also a day when commemoration of the dead takes place August 17 - Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna August 28 - Celebrated by mostly women for the wellness of their husband August 30 - Celebrated only by women by fasting to show gratitude to the ancient preachers September 2 - Celebrated mostly in far western Nepal, this festival is observed in other parts as well September 8 - Celebrated only in Kathmandu, commemorates the founding of Kathmandu September 25 - The beginning of Dashain October 1 - Seventh day of Dashain when jamara is brought from Gorkha palace to Kathmandu October 2 - Goddess Durga’s manifestations, the blood-thirsty Kali October 3 - Maha Navami is the last day of Navaratri October 4 - Eleventh day of Dashain where the celebration continues October 5 - The final consecutive holiday of Dashain celebration October 7 - Final full moon day after which Dashain officially ends October 23 - Laxmi, Goddess of wealth is worshipped October 24 - Mha Puja and Govardhan Puja October 25 - Bhaitika Religious October 29 - A festival dedicated to Hindu Sun God November 6 - Sikhs celebrate the birth of first Sikh December 6 - Celebrates the end of rice harvests December 25 - Commemoration of birth of Jesus Christ December 30 - Tamu Lhosar |
