Nepal – language

Nepal is a mysterious and inaccessible part of the world, significantly different from everything we are used to in the West. A trip to this country will allow you to discover extraordinary mountain landscapes, world-famous monuments, and the rich culture of the Nepalese people.

In today’s article, we’ll cover everything you need to know before travelling to Nepal. We will discuss not only the languages spoken by its inhabitants but also the most important geographical facts, the top-rated tourist attractions, and useful tips for travellers.

Nepal – essential information

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a small country in South Asia, bordered by China to the north and India to the east, west, and south. The capital city of Nepal is Kathmandu. Its current population is estimated at 30 million people.

Administrative divisions of Nepal

The country of Nepal is changing and developing dynamically. The first level of the country subdivision are the provinces defined by the new constitution. Provinces are further divided into districts, each governed by the District Coordination Committee. 

Geography of Nepal

Due to its diverse geography, Nepal is one of the least urbanized countries in the world. As much as 80% of the country’s area is mountainous, with the Great Himalayas making up the northern part of Nepal. It contains the highest peak in the world, the famous Mount Everest, and seven other peaks measuring over 8 thousand meters above sea level. 

Parallel to the High Himalayas is the Pahad region of the Lower Himalayan Range with numerous valleys (including the largest, the Kathmandu Valley). The lowland region along the southern border is called Terai, characterized by tall grasslands, sal forest, and scrub savannah. It is part of the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion. The country has five climatic zones and experiences five seasons. The main rivers of Nepal are Karnali, Kosi, and Narayani. Nepal is a landlocked country.

History of Nepal

The earliest inhabitants of the area of present-day Nepal were Indian and Tibetan tribes. In the third century BC, they were conquered by Ashoka the Great of the Maurya Empire, a propagator of Buddhism. After the fall of the Maurya dynasty, Nepal came under the influence of Tibet. 

In the 13th century, the local Malla dynasty took over and introduced a strict caste system. The most famous ruler of this family was Jayasthiti Malla, who managed to introduce widespread socio-economic reforms. In the 15th century, Malla princes divided the country into four states: Banepa, Kathmandu, Bhadgaun, and Patan. The fierce rivalry between them led to the flourishing of art and architecture, but also to the fall and reunification of the country in the late 18th century. In 1769 Prithivi Narayan Shah managed to conquer the Kathmandu Valley and significantly expanded Nepalese control over the bordering territories. The dispute with Tibet over the mountain passes and inner valleys led to the military intervention of China.

Shortly after that, Nepal began to compete with the East India Company for border territories, which led to the outbreak of the Anglo-Nepali War in 1814. The war was won by the British, and Nepal ceded some of the conquered territories. In the mid-19th century, the king was reduced to a representative role, and the actual power in the country was held by the prime minister, whose office became hereditary. Jung Bahadur Kunwar, a popular military leader, became the prime minister and founded the Rana dynasty. Their rule was characterized by tyranny, economic exploitation, and debauchery. Rana worked closely with the British and received some of the border lands from them for providing military assistance during the Indian Rebellion.

In the late 1940s, with the support of India and the cooperation of the king, the Nepali Congress overthrew the Rana dynasty and established parliamentary democracy. A period of power struggle between the royal family and the government began, leading to the establishment of a partyless political system. The multiparty was established in 1990.

On February 13, 1996, a civil war broke out between the Maoists and the government, and the political situation was further destabilized by the massacre in 2001 when King Birendra’s son, Prince Dipendra, shot his parents and six other members of the royal family and committed suicide. The throne was inherited by King Birendra’s brother, Gyanendra. The monarchy was finally abolished in late 2007 and the first elections were held in April 2008. The new constitution of Nepal was promulgated in September 2015. The same year, an earthquake killed over seven thousand people.

Politics and government

Nepal is a parliamentary republic with a multi-party system, governed according to the Constitution. The current president (since March 13, 2023) is Ram Chandra Poudel. The Prime Minister is Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal), who took office for the third time on December 26, 2022. The Constitution does not guarantee the full independence of the judiciary.

Economy

Nepal is one of the least developed countries in the world, mainly due to natural conditions that isolate the country and are not conducive to the development of agriculture. Agricultural land covers 17% of the country’s area and is unevenly distributed, with the largest part of it located in the Terai region. The first industrial plants began to appear only in the 1930s, currently the main branches of industry are the wood, tobacco, and sugar industries. Nepal also has significant but still poorly explored mineral deposits. At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, Himalayan tourism services began to appear on a large scale, and it still generates significant revenue today.