Travel Articles About Nepal
 

Introduction

Known as the Land of Everest and being "The only Hindu Kingdom of the world", the kingdom of Nepal is land of sublime scenery, one of the world's best and archeologically very important temples, and some of the best walking trails on the Earth. Although the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is very low, but it is rich in scenic splendor and cultural treasures. The Kingdom has long exerted a pull on the Western imagination and it's a difficult place to dislodge from your memory once you visit Nepal and return. This is why so many travelers are forced to visit Nepal again and again with a greater appreciation of its natural and cultural complexity, a stout pair of walking boots and a desire for improved leg-definition.

Geography

Nepal is located in South Asia  region borders by India in the South, China in the North.
Area: 140,800 sq. km.
Population: 23 million
Population Density: 122 per sq. km.
Capital: Kathmandu City
People: Hindus, Newars, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas
Religion: Hinduism and Buddism   are two major religions of Nepal. Hindus and Buddhist are tolerant to each other and the both religious group worship each other's deities and observe festivals, traditional customs and rites of both religious group in Nepal, followed by Muslims, Jains and Christians.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): US$27.4 billion
Per Capita Income (GDP per head): US$1,100
Currency: Currency of Nepal is known as Rupee  which comes in notes of 1,2,5,10,20,25,50,100,500 and 1,000. Nepali  Rupee is made up of 100 paisa. Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. 
Annual growth: 6%
Inflation: 2.1%
Major Industries: Tourism, Handicraft, Agriculture and Water Resources.
Language: Nepali, the national language is the most commn language in Nepal. However differentethnic group have their own mother languages like Tamang, Gurung, Newari, Maithili, Sherpa, Bhojpuri, Rai, Tharu, etc.

Nature

Himalayan Region - fifteen (15%) percent of the total land area of the country are covered with snow  capped mountains in the northern part and altitude range from 4,877 to 8,848 meters including 8 peaks above the 8,000 meters namely Mt.  Everest (8,848m),  Kanchanjungha (8,586m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,163m) and Annapurna (8,091m).

Hilly Region -  Sixty eight (68%) percent of the total land are of the country are covered by the hills and mountains in the central part of Nepal. Altitude varies from 610 to 4,877 meters in this region.

Terai Region or Plain Region - In the southern part, the plain area of Terai region covers the seventeen (17%) of the total land of the country. 
        
Government

Parliamentary Democracy

History

Nepal's recorded history began with the Kiratis, who arrived in the 7th or 8th century  B.C. from the east. Little is known about them, other than their deftness as sheep farmers and fondness for carrying long knives. It was during this period that Buddhism first came to the country; indeed it is claimed that Buddha and his disciple Ananda visited the Kathmandu Valley and stayed for a time in Patan. By 200 A.D., Buddhism had waned, and was replaced by Hinduism brought by the Licchavis, who invaded from Northern India and overthrew the last Kirati King. The Hindus also introduced the caste system and ushered in a classical age of Nepalese art and architecture.

By 879, the Licchavi era had petered out and was succeeded by the Thakuri Dynasty. A grim period of instability and invasion often referred to as  the 'Dark Ages'  followed, but Kathmandu Valley's strategic location ensured the kingdom;s survival and growth. Several centuries later, the Thakuri King, Arideva founded the Malla Dynasty, starting another renaissance of Nepal culture. Despite earthquakes, the odd invasion nd feuding between the independent city states of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the dynasty flourished, reaching its zenith in the 15th century underYaksha Malla.

The rulers of Ghorkha, the most earterly region, had always coveted the Mallas' wealth.Under the inspired leadership of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Gorkha launched  a  campaign to conquer the valley. In 1768 - after 27 years if fighting they triumphed and moved their capital to Kathmandu. From this new base the kingdom's power expanded, borne by a seemingly unstoppable army, until progress was halted n 1792 by a brief and chastening war with Tibet.

Further hostilities followed in 1814, this time with the British over a territorial dispute. The Nepalese were eventually put to heel and compelled to sign the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, which surrendered Sikkim and most of Terai  established present eastern and western boundaries and, worst of all, installed a British 'resident' in the country.

The Shah dynasty continued in power during the first half of the 19th century until the ghastly Kot Massacre of 1846. Taking advantage of the intrigue and assassinations that had plagued the ruling family, Jung Bahadur seized control  by butchering several hundred of the most important men while they assembled in the Kot courtyard. He took the most prestigious title Rana, proclaimed himself prime minister for life, and later made the office hereditary. For the next century, the Rana and their offspring luxuriated in huge Kathmandu palaces, while the remainder of the population eked out a living in medieval conditions.
    
The Rana's antiquated regime came to an end soon after World War II. In 1948, the British withdrew from India and with them went the Ranas' chief support. Around the same time, a host of insurrectional movements, bent on reshaping the country's politics emerged. Sporadic fighting onto the streets and the Ranas, at the behest of India reluctantly agreed to negotiations. King Tribhuvan was anointed ruler in 1951 and struck up a government comprised of Ranas and members of the newly formed Nepali Congress Party.
     
But the compromised was shortlived. After toying with democratic elections - and feeling none too pleased by the result King Mahendra (Tribhuvan son and successor) decided that a 'partyless' panchaayat system would be more appropriate for Nepal. The king selected the prime minister and appointed a large portion of the national assembly, which duly rubber-stamped his policies. Power remained with one party - the king's.

Croniyism, corruption and the creaming-off of lucrative foreign aid into royal coffers continued until 1989. The Nepalese fed up with years of hardship and suffering under a crippling embargo imposed by the Indians, rose up in popular protest called the Jana Andolan or 'Peoples Movement'. In the ensuing months, detention, torture and violent clashes left hundreds of people dead. It all proved too much for King Birendra, in power sine 1972. He dissolve his cabinet, legalized political parties and invited opposition to form an interim government. The panchaayat system was finally laid to rest.

The changeover to demoracy proceeded in an orderly, if leisurely, fashion, and in May 1991 the Nepali Congress Party and the Communist Party of Nepal shared most of the votes.

People

People of Nepal can be divided into two distint group, the Aryans and the Mongolians. And three are many different ethnic groups  in Nepal living in different part of the country with their own unique cultures, languages and religions. The ethnic groups of Magars, Rais,Sunuwars and Gurungs live in the eastern mountains observing their own culture and speaking their own mother languages. By tradition, most Gurkha soldiers come from these ethnic groups and are famous for the bravery in the battles. Sherpas, inhabitants of the Northern Himalayan are influenced with the Tibetan culture. The Sherpas are famous in the world for mountaineering. The Newars constitute the important ethnic group in the Kathmandu valley. The Newars are rich in culture and famous for their craftsmanship. There are many artistic pagodas, monuments and old palaces in Kathmandu valley built by the Newars. The ethnic group of Tharus, Maithili, Bhojjpuri, Danuwar, etc. live in the Terai region. The Brah man and Chhetris also play an important role in Nepalese society. There groups are originally from the West Nepal and now inhabit the most of all the parts of the country. Tamang live outside the rim of the Kathmandu valley. The Thakalis inhabitant in the northwest part, upper the Kali Gandaki Rivers. The Thakalis were considered to be expert traders in the past. Apart from the above, there are still many other ethnic group in Nepal and all of these groups are tied up together by their common ideals of peace and nationalism.

Culture

The Himalayan Kingdom has the richest and most diverse culture landscapes anywhere. Nepal is the holy land of Lord Pashupatinath  and Gautam Buddha where the Hindus and Buddhists have lived together in harmony for centuries. The temple of Pashupatinath is Nepal's most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the four mot important cities in the world for Shiva worshippers. Lord Buddha, the light of Asia, was born in Lumbini in Nepal's Southern plains, which makes Nepal a sacred pilgrimage for Buddhists as well.

The rich tapestry of the Cultural heritage of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu Valley. The three ancient cities of the Valley Patan, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur represent an epitome of harmony in urban design, elegant architecture and refined culture. These cities pack a concentration of religious monuments unequalled in the world. Don't miss the seven monument zones named as  World Heritage Sites by UNESCO all situated within the small confines of the Valley.

Adding dazzling color to Nepal's myriad attractions are the many festivals dot the calendar. Join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs. Go for village tours and visit the multi-ethnic  groups to get first hand experience of the customs and lifestyles.

As eating is a special affair in Nepal, there is food for each and every occasion and festival. Kathmandu offers an incredible selection of dining opportunities. There are many restaurants that serve only authentic Nepali food complete with ethnic ambience.

Fairs and Festivals

Nepal's festive calendar is hectic. Dasain, celebrated nationwide, is the most important of all Nepalese celebrations and features the biggest animal sacrifice of the year. Running a close second is Tihar (November), but unlike Dasain, animals are honored rather than slaughtered. Other festivals celebrated nationally include the water-tinged Holi (March) and Chaitra Daisan (April), which is yet another bad day for animals. Hindu festivals number the Haribodhini Ekadashi (November) and Maha Shivaratri (March), both celebrated in Pashupatinath. the Gai Jatra (August) in Kathmandu and the Krishna Jayanti (August/September) in Patan. Buddhist celebrations are just as thick on the ground, and include Mani Rimdu (November) in Solu Khumbu, Buddha Jayanti (May) in Kathmandu, and Losar (Tibetan New Year) (February) in Swayambhunath, Jawlakhel and highland communities.

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