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नेपाल Nepāl Nepal
Flag Emblem
Motto: "Mother and Motherland are Greater than Heaven"
Anthem: "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka"
Capital		Kathmandu (Nepal Bhasa: येँ) 27°42′N 85°19′E / 27.7, 85.317
Largest city		Kathmandu
Official languages		Nepali[1]
Recognised regional languages		Maithili, Nepal Bhasa, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Gurung, Tamang, Magar, Awadhi, Sherpa, Kiranti and another 100 different indigenous languages.
Demonym		Nepali
Government		Federal Republic
-	Acting Head of State	Girija Prasad Koirala
-	Prime Minister	Girija Prasad Koirala
Unification
-	Kingdom declared	December 21, 1768
-	State declared	January 15, 2007
-	Republic declared	May 28, 2008
Area
-	Total	147,181 km² (93rd) 56,827 sq mi
-	Water (%)	2.8
Population
-	July 2008 estimate	29,519,114 (40th)
-	2003 census	23,151,423
-	Density	184/km² (56th) 477/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2006 estimate
-	Total	$48.18 billion (87th)
-	Per capita	$1,500 (164th)
Gini (2003–04)		47.2 (high)
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.534 (medium) (142nd)
Currency		Rupee (NPR)
Time zone		NPT (UTC+5:45)
-	Summer (DST)	not observed (UTC+5:45)
Internet TLD		.np
Calling code		+977

Nepal (Nepali: नेपाल [neˈpaːl] (help· info)), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, and India to the south, east and west. The Himalaya mountain range runs across Nepal's northern and western parts, and eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest, are within its territory. Image File history File links Acap. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nepal. ... Flag ratio: 4:3 The national flag of Nepal is the only non-quadrangular national flag, and one of only two non-rectangular official jurisdictional flags in the world (the other is the flag of Ohio). ... Nepals emblem The Nepalese national emblem consists of the rhododendron; a white cow; a green pheasant; two Gurkha soldiers, one carrying a khukri and a bow and an arrow and the other a modern rifle; peaks of the Himalaya; the moon and the sun, both with faces showing Hindu... For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation). ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka (Nepali: सयौं थूंगा फूलका, translates to hundreds of flowers) is the national anthem of Nepal. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... For other uses, see Kathmandu (disambiguation). ... Newari redirects here. ... For other uses, see Kathmandu (disambiguation). ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Nepali (Khaskura) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, and some parts of India and Myanmar (Burma). ... A regional language is a language spoken in a part of a country, be it may be a small area, a federal state or province, or a wider area. ... Maithili is of the family of Indo-Aryan languages, which are part of the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. ... Newari redirects here. ... Categories: Indo-Aryan languages | Languages of India | Language stubs ... Gurung (ISO/DIS 639-3: gvr) is a language spoken by the Gurung community in parts of Nepal and Sikkim in India. ... Tamang (ISO/DIS 639-3: taj) is a language spoken in parts of Nepal and Sikkim. ... Magar (ISO/DIS 639-3: mgp /ISO/DIS 639-3: mrd) is a language spoken in parts of Nepal and Sikkim in India. ... Awadhi is a dialect of Hindi, spoken in the Awadh (Oudh) region of Uttar Pradesh. ... Sherpa (ISO/DIS 639-3: xsr) is a language spoken in parts of Nepal and Sikkim mainly by the Sherpa community. ... The Kiranti languages form a sub-group of the Tibeto-Burman language family, which is itself a branch of the Sino-Tibetan languages. ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... The Federal Republic of Germany and its sixteen Bundesländer (federal states) A federal republic is a federation of states with a republican form of government. ... For the comedy film of the same name, see Head of State (film). ... Girija Prasad Koirala (born 1925) is the incumbent Prime Minister of Nepal. ... The position of Prime Minister of Nepal was created in 1799. ... Girija Prasad Koirala (born 1925) is the incumbent Prime Minister of Nepal. ... In the mid 18th century Nepal was fractured into three kingdoms. ... is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1768 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here areas between 10,000 km² and 100,000 km². ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... Map of countries by population for the year 2007 This is a list of countries ordered according to population. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Look up Per capita in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article includes two lists of countries of the world[1] sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year divided by the average population for the same year. ... Graphical representation of the Gini coefficient The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality of income distribution or inequality of wealth distribution. ... This page talks about Human Development Index, for other HDIs see HDI (disambiguation) World map indicating Human Development Index (2007). ... This talks about the countries in the Human Development Index, for information on the Human Development Index, please Click Here World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) (Colour-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems. ... ISO 4217 Code NPR User(s) Nepal Inflation 7. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Nepal Time (NPT) is the time zone for the Kingdom of Nepal. ... UTC redirects here. ... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... UTC redirects here. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .np is the Internet country code top-level domain ( ccTLD) for Nepal. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... Nepali (Khaskura) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, and some parts of India and Myanmar (Burma). ... Image File history File links Nepal. ... Map of South Asia (see note on Kashmir). ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ... Everest redirects here. ...

The modern state was formed with the Unification of Nepal by Prithvi Narayan Shah on December 21, 1768. Prior to 2006, Nepal was a kingdom and the only nation with Hinduism as its official religion. At present, Nepal is officially and constitutionally a secular country. Its recent history has involved struggles for democratic government with periods of direct monarchic rule. From 1995 until 2006, Nepal suffered from a Civil War between government forces and Maoist guerrillas of the Communist Party of Nepal. In the mid 18th century Nepal was fractured into three kingdoms. ... Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Nepal (1723 - 1775 A.D.; Nepali: पृथ्वी नारायण शाह), with whom we move into the modern period of Nepals history, was the ninth generation descendant of Dravya Shah (1559 - 1570 A.D.) , the founder of the ruling house of Gorkha. ... is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1768 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Combatants Government forces Communist Party Commanders Gyanendra of Nepal Prachanda Casualties 12,700+ deaths The Nepalese Civil War (labelled Peoples War by the Maoists [1]) was a conflict between monarchist government forces and Maoist rebels in Nepal which lasted from 1996 until 2006. ... Maoism or Mao Zedong Thought (Chinese: 毛澤東思想, pinyin: Máo Zédōng Sīxiǎng), also called Marxism-Leninism–Mao Zedong Thought or Marxism-Leninism-Maoism (MLM), is a variant of communism derived from the teachings of Mao Zedong (1893–1976). ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

On December 28, 2007, the Interim Parliament passed a bill and declared Nepal to be a Federal Democratic Republic. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly officially implemented that declaration on May 28, 2008. is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

Nepal is a multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi religious country. For a relatively small country, Nepal has a diverse landscape, ranging from the humid Terai plains in the south to the mountainous Himalayas in the north, which makes it a major tourist destination. Hinduism is practised by huge majority of the people, but the country also has a strong Buddhist tradition; Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama being located in the Terai, one of the three regions of Nepal. The Terai, or Tarai (i. ... For the movie Himalaya, see Himalaya (film). ... Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... Lumbini(27° 28 60N, 83° 16 60E) (Sanskrit: , the lovely) is a Buddhist pilgrimage site located in Rupandehi District, Lumbini Zone of Nepal. ... Siddhartha and Gautama redirect here. ... The Terai, or Tarai (i. ...

The capital Kathmandu is the largest city in the country. The official language is Nepali and the state currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Nepal's Flag is the only national flag in the world that is non-quadrilateral in shape. It is believed that lord Vishnu had organized the Nepali people and given them this flag, with the sun and moon as emblems on it.^[2] For other uses, see Kathmandu (disambiguation). ... Nepali (Khaskura) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, and some parts of India and Myanmar (Burma). ... ISO 4217 Code NPR User(s) Nepal Inflation 7. ... Flag ratio: 4:3 The national flag of Nepal is the only non-quadrangular national flag, and one of only two non-rectangular official jurisdictional flags in the world (the other is the flag of Ohio). ... This article is about the geometric shape. ... For other meanings, see Vishnu (disambiguation). ...

Etymology

Ne Muni

Historians and local traditions say that a Hindu sage named "Ne" established himself at the valley of Kathmandu during prehistoric times and that the word "Nepal" came into existence as the place protected ("pala" in Sanskrit) by the sage "Ne". The etymology of the name Nepal means, "the country looked after by Ne".^[3] Saints are recognized in Hinduism although it does not require canonization or similar formal process to acknowledge a person as one. ...

He used to perform religious ceremonies at Teku, the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers.^[4] He is said by legend to have selected a pious cowherd to be the first of the many kings of the Gopala Dynasty.^[5] These rulers are said to have ruled Nepal for over 500 years.^[6] He selected Bhuktaman to be the first king in the line of the Gopal (Cowherd) Dynasty.^[7] The Gopal dynasty ruled for 621 years. Yakshya Gupta was the last king of this dynasty.However,this mythology can be challenged as no such name as Ne exists in Nepali or other sanskrit derived languages.

According to Skanda Purana, a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live in Himalaya.^[8] In the Pashupati Purana, he is mentioned as a saint and a protector. ^[9] He is said to have practiced penance at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers^[10] and to have taught his doctrines there too. ^[11] Skanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text believed to be written and compiled over a long period, from 6th century to 15th century, is the largest Purana, and is devoted mainly to the life and deed of Kartikeya (also called Skanda), a son of Shiva... Tapasya is a principle of austerity or willingness to bear suffering in Hinduism and related religions such as Buddhism and Jainism. ...

Other possible derivations

Another legend ties the name to agriculture; "Ne" means wool in the Tibetan language and "pal" means house or godown.^{[citation needed]} Hong Kong English is sometimes used to refer to the accent and characteristics of English spoken by some of the ethnic Chinese residents of Hong Kong. ...

Others believe the word “Nepal” was derived from the word “Nepa:” which refers to the Newar Kingdom of with Kathmandu Valley as its capital. With Sanskritization, the Newar word Nepa became Nepal^[12]. The Newars, a linguistic community (derived from various ethnicities) of present day Nepal, refer to all the inhabitants of Kathmandu valley and its peripheries (called "Nepa:") before the advent of Shah dynasty. The Nepal Sambat calendar, named after this Newar kingdom and devised 1200 years ago, is still one of the major calendars used in Nepal and testifies to its antiquity. The Newa (Nepal Bhasa:नेवाः Newa or Newah, Old Nepal Bhasa: नेवार Newar, नेवाल Newal) are the indigenous people of Nepals Kathmandu Valley. ... A typical Nepalese house in the valley, made from cow dung and clay The Kathmandu valley, located in the Kingdom of Nepal, lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of Asia, and has at least 130 important monuments, including several places of pilgrimage for the Hindus as well as the... Nepal Sambat (Nepal Bhasa: नेपाल सम्बत) is a lunar calendar. ...

Language

All the languages spoken in Nepal are the national languages^[13]. Nepali is the official language of Nepal^[14]. It was originally called Khaskura, but became known as Nepali during the 20th century^[15]. However, all languages spoken in Nepal can be used for official purposes and documentation irrespective of what the official language is ^[16]. Nepali (Khaskura) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, and some parts of India and Myanmar (Burma). ...

History

Main article: History of Nepal

The History of Nepal is characterized by its isolated position in the Himalayas and its two dominant neighbors, India and China. ...

Prehistory

Neolithic tools found in the Kathmandu Valley indicate that people have been living in the Himalayan region for at least 9,000 years. It appears that people who were probably of Kirant ethnicity lived in Nepal 2,500 years ago.^[17] An array of Neolithic artifacts, including bracelets, axe heads, chisels, and polishing tools. ... A typical Nepalese house in the valley, made from cow dung and clay The Kathmandu valley, located in the Kingdom of Nepal, lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of Asia, and has at least 130 important monuments, including several places of pilgrimage for the Hindus as well as the... Selected ethnic groups of Nepal; Bhotia, Sherpa, Thakali Gurung Kiranti, Rai, Limbu Newari Pahari Tamang Kirant refers to the Kiranti group or a Kirata confederation that includes the Limbu, Rai, Yakkha and Sunuwar ethnic groups of Nepal. ...

Ancient

Nepal is mentioned in Hindu scriptures such as the Narayana Puja^[18] and the Atharva Siras (800-600 BC).^[19]Around 1000 BC, small kingdoms and confederations of clans arose in the region. From one of these, the Shakya confederation, arose a prince named Siddharta Gautama (563–483 BC), who later renounced his royalty to lead an ascetic life and came to be known as the Buddha ("the enlightened one").7th Kirata king Jitedasti was on throne in Nepal valley at the time. By 250 BC, the region came under the influence of the Mauryan empire of northern India, and later became a vassal state under the Gupta Dynasty in the fourth century AD. From the late fifth century, rulers called the Licchavis governed the area. There is a good and quite detailed description of the kingdom of Nepal in the account of the renowned Chinese Buddhist pilgrim monk, Xuanzang, dating from c. 645 AD.^[20][21] This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... Śākya (Sanskrit) or Sakya (Pāli) is the name (derived from Sanskrit Å›akya, capable, able) of an Indo-Aryan-speaking nation or janapada of the (the so-called warrior caste). The Śākyas formed independent tribes or kingdoms near the foothills of the Himālayas. ... Standing Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, northern Pakistan, 1st century CE, Musée Guimet. ... The Mauryan empire (321 to 185 BCE), at its largest extent around 230 BCE. The Lion Capital of Asoka, erected around 250 BCE. It is the emblem of India. ... The Gupta dynasty ruled the Gupta Empire of India, from around 320 to 550. ... Licchavi (also Lichchhavi, Lichavi) was an ancient kingdom in Nepal, which existed in the Kathmandu Valley from approximately 400 to 750. ... A portrait of Xuanzang Xuanzang (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Hsüan-tsang; CantoneseIPA: jyn4tsɔŋ1; CantoneseJyutping: jyun4zong1) was a famous Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler and translator that brought up the interaction between China and India in the early Tang period. ...

The Licchavi dynasty went into decline in the late eighth century and was followed by a Newari era, from 879, although the extent of their control over the entire country is uncertain. By the late 11th century, southern Nepal came under the influence of the Chalukaya Empire of southern India. Under the Chalukayas, Nepal's religious establishment changed as the kings patronised Hinduism instead of the prevailing Buddhism. (7th century — 8th century — 9th century — other centuries) Events The Iberian peninsula is taken by Arab and Berber Muslims, thus ending the Visigothic rule, and starting almost 8 centuries of Muslim presence there. ... The Newar are the indigenous ethnolinguistic group of Nepals Kathmandu valley. ... The Chalukya dynasty (Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು) was a powerful Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th century C.E. They began to assert their independence at the decline of the Satavahana empire and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of... The geographical south of India includes all Indian territory below the 20th parallel. ...

Map of Nepal

Image File history File links Nepal_map. ... Image File history File links Nepal_map. ...

Medieval

By the early 12th century, leaders were emerging whose names ended with the Sanskrit suffix malla ("wrestler"). Initially their reign was marked by upheaval, but the kings consolidated their power and ruled over the next 200 years; by the late 14th century, much of the country began to come under a unified rule. This unity was short-lived; in 1482 the region was carved into three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhadgaon. For other uses, see Kathmandu (disambiguation). ... Patan is : a city in Nepal (Patan, Nepal) a city and district in Gujarat (Patan, Gujarat) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Bhadgaon is a place in Nepal. ...

Hindu temples in Patan, capital of one of the three medieval Newar kingdoms

After centuries of petty rivalry between the three kingdoms, in the mid-18th century Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gorkha King set out to unify the kingdoms. Seeking arms and aid from India, and buying the neutrality of bordering Indian kingdoms, he embarked on his mission in 1765. After several bloody battles and sieges, he managed to unify Kathmandu Valley three years later in 1768. However, an actual battle never took place to conquer the Kathmandu valley; it was taken over by Prithvi Narayan and his troops without any effort, during Indra Jatra, a festival of Newars, when all the valley's citizens were celebrating the festival. This event marked the birth of the modern nation of Nepal. Image File history File links Patan_temples. ... Image File history File links Patan_temples. ... The Newar or Newah are the indigenous group of Nepals Kathmandu valley. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Nepal (1723 - 1775 A.D.; Nepali: पृथ्वी नारायण शाह), with whom we move into the modern period of Nepals history, was the ninth generation descendant of Dravya Shah (1559 - 1570 A.D.) , the founder of the ruling house of Gorkha. ... Gurkha Soldiers (1896) Wives and children of Gurkha Soldiers (1896) Gurkha (or Gorkha) are a people from Nepal who take their name from the former city-state of Gorkha, which went on to found the Kingdom of Nepal later on. ... The Newar or Newah are the indigenous group of Nepals Kathmandu valley. ...

Modern

There is historical evidence that, at one time, the boundary of Greater Nepal extended from Tista River on the East to Kangara, across Sutlej River, in the west. A dispute and subsequently war with Tibet over the control of mountain passes forced the Nepalese to retreat and pay heavy reparations. Rivalry between Nepal and the British East India Company over the annexation of minor states bordering Nepal eventually led to the Anglo-Nepalese War (1815–16). The valor displayed by the Nepalese during the war astounded their enemies and earned them their image of fierce and ruthless "Gurkhas". The war ended the Treaty of Sugauli. This treaty ceded Sikkim and lands in Terai to the Company. The Sutlej is a river that flows through Northern India, with its source in Tibet. ... The British East India Company, sometimes referred to as John Company, was the first joint-stock company (the Dutch East India Company was the first to issue public stock). ... The Gurkha War (1814-1816), also known as the Anglo-Nepalese War, was fought between the British Empire and the Kingdom of Nepal. ... Gurkha, also spelled as Gorkha, are people from Nepal and parts of North India, who take their name from the eighth century Hindu warrior-saint Guru Gorakhnath. ... Areas ceded to the British by the Nepalese. ... , Sikkim (Nepali:  , also Sikhim) is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayas. ...

Factionalism inside the royal family had led to a period of instability. In 1846 a plot was discovered, revealing that the reigning queen had planned to overthrow Jung Bahadur Rana, a fast-rising military leader. This led to the Kot Massacre; armed clashes between military personnel and administrators loyal to the queen led to the execution of several hundred princes and chieftains around the country. Jung Bahadur Rana emerged victorious and founded the Rana lineage. The king was made a titular figure, and the post of Prime Minister was made powerful and hereditary. The Ranas were staunchly pro-British, and assisted them during the Indian Sepoy Rebellion in 1857 (and later in both World Wars). The decision to help British East India Company was taken by the Rana Regime, then led by Jang Bahadur Rana. Some parts of Terai Region were given back to Nepal by the British as a friendly gesture, because of her military help to sustain British control in India during the Sepoy Rebellion. In 1923, the United Kingdom and Nepal formally signed an agreement of friendship, in which Nepal's independence was recognized by the UK. Royal Standard of Nepal The king of Nepal is known as the Raja; his Queen is known as the Rani. ... The Kot Massacre was a bloodbath in in 1846 in which the royals of Nepal and the military clashed, ensuring in the death of thousands of noblemen. ... The Rana dynasty is a family who usurped control of Nepal from the mid-19th century until 1951, reducing the monarch to a figurehead and ruling through hereditary government positions. ... An engraving titled Sepoy Indian troops dividing the spoils after their mutiny against British rule gives a contemporary view of events from the British perspective. ... A world war is a war affecting the majority of the worlds major nations. ... An engraving titled Sepoy Indian troops dividing the spoils after their mutiny against British rule gives a contemporary view of events from the British perspective. ...

Nepalese royalty in the 1920s

Slavery was abolished in Nepal in 1924.^[22] Rani (Queen) of Nepal with her ladies-in-waiting, from October, 1920, National Geographic Magazine This image is in the public domain in the United States and possibly other jurisdictions. ... Rani (Queen) of Nepal with her ladies-in-waiting, from October, 1920, National Geographic Magazine This image is in the public domain in the United States and possibly other jurisdictions. ...

In the late 1940s, newly emerging pro-democracy movements and political parties in Nepal were critical of the Rana autocracy. Meanwhile, with the assertion of Chinese control in Tibet in the 1950s, India sought to counterbalance the perceived military threat from its northern neighbour by taking pre-emptive steps to assert more influence in Nepal. India sponsored both King Tribhuvan as Nepal's new ruler in 1951, and a new government, mostly comprising the Nepali Congress Party, thus terminating Rana hegemony in the kingdom. After years of power wrangling between the king and the government, the monarch scrapped the democratic experiment in 1959, and a "partyless" panchayat system was made to govern Nepal until 1989, when the "Jan Andolan" (People's Movement) forced the monarchy to accept constitutional reforms and to establish a multiparty parliament that took seat in May 1991.^[23] This article is about historical/cultural Tibet. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Nepali Congress is a Nepalese political party. ... // The Panchayat (पंचायत in Devanagiri) is an Indian political system that groups five villages in a quincunx (four peripheral villages around a central one were laid out as the 5 side of a die). ...

In 1996, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) started a bid to replace the royal parliamentary system with a people's socialist republic. This led to the long Nepal Civil War and more than 12,000 deaths. On June 1, 2001, there was a massacre in the royal palace; it left the King, the Queen and the Heir Apparent Crown Prince Dipendra among the dead. Prince Dipendra was accused of patricide and of committing suicide thereafter, alleged to be a violent response to his parents' refusal to accept his choice of wife. However, there are lots of speculations and doubts among Nepalese citizens about the person(s) responsible for the Royal Massacre. Following the carnage, the throne was inherited by King Birendra's brother Gyanendra. On February 1, 2005, Gyanendra dismissed the entire government and assumed full executive powers to quash the violent Maoist movement. In September 2005, the Maoists declared a three-month unilateral ceasefire to negotiate their demands. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... A parliamentarian is a specialist in parliamentary procedure. ... now. ... is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, King of Nepal (June 27, 1971 – June 4, 2001) was King of Nepal from June 1 to June 4, 2001. ... Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, King of Nepal (Nepali: ज्ञानेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाहदेव; Jñānendra Vīra Vikrama Śāhadeva) (born July 7, 1947) is the present King of Nepal since June 4, 2001. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In response to the 2006 democracy movement, the king agreed to relinquish the sovereign power back to the people and reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives on April 24, 2006. Using its newly acquired sovereign authority, on May 18, 2006, the newly resumed House of Representatives unanimously passed a motion to curtail the power of the king and declared Nepal a secular state, abolishing its time honoured official status as a Hindu Kingdom. On December 28, 2007, a bill was passed in parliament, to amend Article 159 of the constitution - replacing "Provisions regarding the King" by "Provisions of the Head of the State" - declaring Nepal a federal republic, and thereby abolishing the monarchy.^[24] The bill came into force on May 28, 2008 as a constituent assembly meeting in the capital, Kathmandu, overwhelmingly voted to abolish royal rule.^[25] Protestors take to the streets The 2006 democracy movement in Nepal (Nepali: Loktantra Andolan) is a name given to the ongoing political agitations against the rule of King Gyanendra of Nepal. ... is the 114th day of the year (115th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that Laïcité be merged into this article or section. ... The Federal Republic of Germany and its sixteen Bundesländer (federal states) A federal republic is a federation of states with a republican form of government. ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Kathmandu (disambiguation). ...

End of monarchy

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) won the largest number of seats in the Constituent Assembly election held on 10 April 2008, and is trying to form a coalition government with some smaller parties. The Maoists had insisted on the abolition of the monarchy and the removal of Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev as King with Nepal becoming a federal democratic state with an elected head of state. The newly-elected Assembly met in Kathmandu on May 28, 2008 and abolished the monarchy that had reigned for 240 years. There was a polling of constituent Assembly members and out of a total of 564 Assembly members, 560 voted to end Nepal's monarchical rule.^[26][27][28] The proposal declared that Nepal had become an independent, indivisible, sovereign, secular and an inclusive democratic republic.^[29] Elections for a Constituent Assembly will be held in Nepal in 2008 at an unspecified date,[1] possibly in March or April,[2] after having been postponed from the earlier dates of 20 June 2007[3] and 22 November 2007. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, King of Nepal (Nepali: ज्ञानेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाहदेव; Jñānendra Vīra Vikrama Śāhadeva) (born July 7, 1947) is the present King of Nepal since June 4, 2001. ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

Nepal's government has announced a public holiday for three days, from May 28 to May 30, to celebrate the country becoming a republic. is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Narayanhity palace removed the royal flag that was flying on its premises and replaced it with Nepal's national flag on 29 May 2008.^[30]

Geography

Cho Oyu, Nepal

Topographic map of Nepal.

Main articles: Geography of Nepal and Geology of Nepal

Geography of Nepal is uncommonly diverse. Nepal is of roughly trapezoidal shape, 800 kilometres (500 mi) long and 200 kilometres (125 mi) wide, with an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi). See List of territories by size for the comparative size of Nepal. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 1. ... Cho Oyu (or Qowowuyag; in Nepal चोयु, Tibetan in Wylie transliteration: jo bo dbu yag; Chinese: 卓奧有山, Pinyin: ZhuóàoyÇ’u Shān) is the sixth highest mountain in the world. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1400x852, 361 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1400x852, 361 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Geographic regions Sandwiched between two Asian giants--China and India--Nepal traditionally has been characterized as a yam caught between two rocks. ... Topographic map of Nepal The Himalayan arc extends about 2400 km from Nanga Parbat (8,138 m) in the west to Namche Barwa (7,756 m) in the east (Le Fort, 1996). ... “Miles” redirects here. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ...

Nepal is commonly divided into three physiographic areas: the Mountain, Hill, Siwalik region and Terai Regions. These ecological belts run east-west and are vertically intersected by Nepal's major, north to south flowing river systems. The hill region consists of mainly the land area from height 600 meters to 1,800 meters. ... The Terai, or Tarai (i. ...

The southern lowland Plains bordering India are part of the northern rim of the Indo-Gangetic plains. They were formed and are fed by three major rivers: the Kosi, the Narayani (India's Gandak River), and the Karnali. This region has a hot, humid climate. The Indo-Gangetic Plain is a rich, fertile and ancient land encompassing most of northern and eastern India, the most populous parts of Pakistan, and virtually all of Bangladesh. ... Dudh Kosi (Milk River) is a river in eastern Nepal. ... Kali Gandaki River, Nepal The Gandaki River, also known as the Kali Gandaki and the Gandak, is a tributary of the Ganges River. ... The Karnali River is the longest river in Nepal. ...

The Hill Region (Pahad) abuts the mountains and varies from 1,000 to 4,000 metres (3,300–13,125 ft) in altitude. Two low mountain ranges, the Mahabharat Lekh and Shiwalik Range (also called the Churia Range) dominate the region. The hilly belt includes the Kathmandu Valley, the country's most fertile and urbanised area. Unlike the valleys called Inner Tarai (Bhitri Tarai Uptyaka), elevations above 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) are sparsely populated. The Mahabharat Lekh is a hill range in Nepal it runs parallel to the Himalayan range. ... The Siwalik Hills (also spelled Shiwalik, Shivalik, or Sivalik) are the southernmost and geologically youngest foothills running parallel to the main Himalayas. ...

The Mountain Region, situated in the Great Himalayan Range, makes the northern part of Nepal. It contains the regions of highest altitude in the world; the world's highest mountain, 8,850 metres (29,035 ft) height Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali) is located here on the border with Tibet. Seven other of the world's ten highest mountains are located in Nepal: Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. Altitude is the elevation of an object from a known level or datum. ... Everest redirects here. ... This article is about historical/cultural Tibet. ... Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu and Mount Everest as seen from the International Space Station. ... Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain on Earth and is connected to Mount Everest via the South Col. ... Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world and is located 22 km (14 mi) east of Mount Everest. ... Cho Oyu (or Qowowuyag; in Nepal चोयु, Tibetan in Wylie transliteration: jo bo dbu yag; Chinese: 卓奧有山, Pinyin: ZhuóàoyÇ’u Shān) is the sixth highest mountain in the world. ... Kanchenjunga (a number of alternative spellings are used Kangchenjunga which is the correct spelling, Kangchen Dzö-nga, Khangchendzonga, Kanchenjanga, Kachendzonga, or Kangchanfanga) is the third highest mountain in the world and the second highest in Nepal and the highest in India, located in the Taplejung district of Sikkim, straddling the... Dhaulagiri (धौलागिरी) is the seventh highest mountain in the world. ... Annapurna (Sanskrit, Nepali, Nepal Bhasa: अन्नपूर्ण) is a series of peaks in the Himalaya, a 55-km-long massif whose highest point, Annapurna I, stands at 8,091 m (26,538 ft), making it the 10th-highest summit in the world and one of the 14 eight-thousanders. It is located... Manaslu (also known as Kutang) is the eighth highest mountain in the world, located in the Nepalese Himalayas. ...

The arid and barren Himalayan landscape.

Nepal has five climatic zones, broadly corresponding to the altitudes. The tropical and subtropical zones lie below 1,200 metres (3,940 ft), the temperate zone 1,200 to 2,400 metres (3,900–7,875 ft), the cold zone 2,400 to 3,600 metres (7,875–11,800 ft), the subarctic zone 3,600 to 4,400 metres (11,800–14,400 ft), and the Arctic zone above 4,400 metres (14,400 ft). ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1185x768, 331 KB) Description: Kali Gandaki valley (Nepal) Source: photo taken by Kogo Date: April 2001 Author: Kogo Permission: Kogo put it under the GFDL Other versions of this file: - File links The following pages link to this file: Nepal ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1185x768, 331 KB) Description: Kali Gandaki valley (Nepal) Source: photo taken by Kogo Date: April 2001 Author: Kogo Permission: Kogo put it under the GFDL Other versions of this file: - File links The following pages link to this file: Nepal ... The tropics are the geographic region of the Earth centered on the equator and limited in latitude by the two tropics: the Tropic of Cancer in the north and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere. ... For the usage in virology, see temperate (virology). ...

Nepal experiences five seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. The Himalaya blocks cold winds from Central Asia in winter, and forms the northern limit of the monsoon wind patterns. Once thickly forested, deforestation is a major problem in all regions, with resulting erosion and degradation of ecosystems. For other uses, see Monsoon (disambiguation). ... Map of Central Asia showing three sets of possible boundaries for the region Central Asia located as a region of the world Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east, and from southern Russia in the north to...

Nepal is a hotspot of mountaineering, containing some of the highest and most challenging mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. Technically, the south-east ridge on the Nepali side of the mountain is easier to climb; so, most climbers prefer to trek to Everest through Nepal.

Until the Sugauli Sandhi (treaty) was signed, the territory of Nepal also included Darjeeling, and Tista to the east, Nainital to the south-west and Kalapani, Susta, Garhwal to the west. However, today these areas are a part of India. As a result, Nepal shares no boundary with Bangladesh now and the two countries are separated by a narrow strip of land about 21 kilometre (13 mi) wide, called the Siliguri Corridor‎ or Chicken's Neck. Efforts are underway to make this area a free-trade zone.^[31]The border dispute between India and Nepal has often been a cause of tension between the two countries. For other uses, see Darjeeling (disambiguation). ... , Nainital is a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital district in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. ... The Kalapani River runs through northern India and western Nepal and includes a disputed area of about 400 km² [1] around the source of the river although the exact size of the disputed area varies from source to source. ... Garhwal, or Gurwal, is a region and administrative division of Uttaranchal state, India, lying in the Himalayas. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Subdivisions

Subdivisions of Nepal

Nepalese woman

Main articles: Zones of Nepal, Districts of Nepal, and Regions of Nepal

Nepal is divided into 14 zones and 75 districts, grouped into 5 development regions. Each district is headed by a permanent chief district officer responsible for maintaining law and order and coordinating the work of field agencies of the various government ministries. The 14 zones are: Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1600x1067, 111 KB) Map of the zones of Nepal. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1600x1067, 111 KB) Map of the zones of Nepal. ... There are 14 zones in Nepal. ... Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia is divided into 14 administrative zones, comprised currently (2005) of 75 districts as mentioned below: Achham district - Arghakhanchi district - Baglung district Baitadi district - Bajhang district - Bajura district Banke district - Bara district - Bardiya district Bhaktapur district - Bhojpur district - Chitwan district Dadeldhura district - Dailekh district... Nepal is divided into 14 administrative zones (अञ्चल), which are divided into 75 districts (जिल्ला). The 14 administrative zones are grouped into five development regions (विकास क्षेत्र). Each district is headed by a chief district officer (or CDO) responsible for maintaining law and order and coordinating the work of field agencies of the various... There are 14 zones in Nepal. ... Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia is divided into 14 administrative zones, comprised currently (2005) of 75 districts as mentioned below: Achham district - Arghakhanchi district - Baglung district Baitadi district - Bajhang district - Bajura district Banke district - Bara district - Bardiya district Bhaktapur district - Bhojpur district - Chitwan district Dadeldhura district - Dailekh district... Nepal is divided into 14 administrative zones (अञ्चल), which are divided into 75 districts (जिल्ला). The 14 administrative zones are grouped into five development regions (विकास क्षेत्र). Each district is headed by a chief district officer (or CDO) responsible for maintaining law and order and coordinating the work of field agencies of the various...

The zone in Nepal which contains the Kathmandu valley is named after this river. ... Bheri zone (भेरी अञ्चल) is one of the fourteen zones of Nepal. ... Dhawalagiri(Dhaulagiri) is one of the fourteen zones of Nepal. ... The Gandaki zone lies in the western administrative region of Nepal. ... Janakpur is one of the 14 zones of Nepal. ... Karnali is one of the zones of Nepal. ... Kosi Zone is one of the fourteen Zones of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. ... Lumbini Zone is one of the 14 zones of Nepal and is home to Lumbini site, the birth place of Gautama Buddha. ... Mahakali is one of the fourteen zones of Nepal. ... Mechi is one of the fourteen zones of Nepal. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Rapti is a mid-western region of Nepal. ... Sagarmatha is a zone in the east of Nepal. ... Seti Zone is one of the fourteen Zones of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. ...

Neotectonics of Nepal

The collision between the Indian subcontinent and the Eurasian continent, which started in