ABOUT NEPAL
To the outsider the tiny landlocked kingdom of Nepal, squeezed between India and Tibet, brings an unparalleled diversity of experience from the variety of the terrain and language to the cultural and religious practices. It is only by visiting that the traveller can ever begin to comprehend the paradox between the magnificent Shangri La-like qualities of the country which are in stark contrast to the abject poverty which engulfs the majority of its people.
Eight of the world's highest mountains are to be found in Nepal as well as vast expanses of lowland sub-tropical jungle; numerous ethnic groups speaking as many different languages and two great religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, peacefully co-exist and intermingle alongside older tribal practices. The frequent and colourful festivals often to be seen throughout the land could be viewed as a testament to the fierce pride and indomitable spirit of these dignified people who have so little in terms of what we in the West take for granted, especially health and education provision. The majority of them are subsistence farmers in remote villages living from hand to mouth. Educational facilities for village children are basic in the extreme. Those youngsters who are not required to assist their parents with work on the land or the care of younger children can attend school. Books and equipment are sadly lacking, teachers ill-trained and school buildings a world away from what we accept as the norm.
Politics
Many factors have inhibited the development of Nepal including political unrest, corruption and what has been the intractable conflict between the monarchy, the government and the Maoist insurgents. For most of its known history Nepal has been subject to a hereditary monarchy or ruling family largely isolated from the outside world. It is now struggling to overcome the legacy of a deadly 10 year Maoist rebellion which has left more than 13,000 dead and 100,000 displaced.
In January 2007 the Maoists entered a transitional government and the king was stripped of his powers. Elections took place on 10th April 2008 with over 70 parties represented. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) is the largest party in the 601 member Constituent Assembly but have no overall majority in a mixture of direct election and proportional representation.
Economy
Civil strife has wrecked the economy and Nepal is dependent on foreign aid. Tourism is a key foreign exchange earner. (Source: BBC News web site)
Some Statistics
- Area: 147,200sq kms
- Capital: Kathmandu
- Population: 28.2 million. (2.24% growth p.a.) Only 12% live in urban areas.
- Infant Mortality: 82/1000 (highest is Asia)
- Life Expectancy: 60.3 female 60.7 male
- Water Supply Coverage: 84%
- Sanitation Coverage: 27%
- Below Poverty Line: 42%
- Average Household Income: £145 p.a. (less than £3 p.w.)
- Adult Literacy: 49% (amongst the lowest in the world)
(Source: Human Development Report 2007. Official statistics tend to underestimate the extent of water and sanitation problems, sometime by a large factor. There are no official resources available for accurate monitoring of population or water/sanitation coverage. Varying definitions are used and national figures mask large regional differences.)