Travelling Club - Nepal

Fact Sheet: Nepal

• Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
• Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E
• Area: total: 147,181 sq 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
• Natural hazards: severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
• Population: 28,287,147 (July 2006 est.)
• Ethnic groups: Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census)
• Religions: Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)
• Languages: Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census)
• Government type: parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
• Capital: name: Kathmandu
• Currency code: Nepalese rupee (NPR)
• Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees per US dollar - 71.368 (2005), 73.674 (2004), 76.141 (2003), 77.877 (2002), 74.949 (2001)
• Internet country code: .np
• Airports: 48 (2006)