Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia with a population of over 30 million people. The capital and largest city is Kathmandu. Nepal has experienced much political upheaval in recent decades, transitioning from a monarchy to a democratic republic. The economy remains poor with many people engaged in agriculture and the country faces issues with child labor, gender violence, and access to healthcare and education in rural areas. Hinduism and Buddhism are the predominant religions in Nepal and cultural traditions include festivals like Dashain and traditional dances like Deuda Naach.

1. NEPAL
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2. COUNTRY
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3. Quick facts
● Full name: Nepal
● Population: 30,896,590
● Capital: Kathmandu
● Largest city: Kathmandu
● Area: 56,956 sq mi; 147,516 km2
● Major language: Nepali is spoken by 78% of the
population. There are 121 recognized national languages.
Maithili is the second most spoken language.
● Major religion: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Kirat, and
Christianity
● Life expectancy: 66 yrs (men), 70 yrs(women)
● Monetary unit: Nepalese Rupee

4. History
● A family called the Malla ruled from the AD 900s to the 1700s
● In 1769 the Malla were defeated by Prithvi Narayan Shah, who was
king of the nearby state of Gurkha
● In 1846 the Shah rulers lost control of the country to the Rana noble
family
● A revolution overthrew the Rana government in 1951. Power was
returned to the Shah family.
● In 1972 Birendra Shah became king.
● The king made some attempts to establish a democratic system of
government
● In 1990 there were violent strikes and protests over the king’s power.
● As a result the king appointed a government that wrote a new
constitution. The constitution allowed political parties and
established a two-house legislature

5. History cont.
● A group of rebels began fighting the government in 1996
● The rebels wanted to establish a one-party communist republic
● In 2001 King Birendra’s son shot and killed the king, other members of the
royal family, and himself
● King Birendra’s brother Gyanendra then became king
● He tried to take control of the government to stop the ongoing fighting by the
rebels.
● This led to more protests.
● In 2006 Gyanendra gave up control, and the rebels signed a peace agreement
with the government
● In 2008 the new government then voted to declare Nepal a democratic republic
● In 2017 Nepal held successful nationwide elections
● On April 25, 2015, Nepal suffered one of the most severe earthquakes in its
history

6. Goverment
● Officially the Federal Democratic Republic of
Nepal
● Government type: Federal Parliamentary
Republic
● Chief of State: President Ram Chandra
Poudel
● Head of Government: Prime Minister Pushpa
Kamal Dahal

7. Economy
● One of the poorest countries in the world
● Most people work in farming
● Rice, corn and wheat are major crops
● Also potatoes, tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton
● They raise cattle, goats, buffalo, pigs, and sheep
● Factories: Clothing, carpets, and pashmina (a
fabric of fine wool and silk).
● Tourism and information technology

8. Currency
● Nepalese Rupee
● 1 USD = 133.42 NPR

9. Key Issues
● Child labor
● Bonded labor (debt slavery)
● Corruption in politics and government
● Gender based violence
● Underage marriage
● Adequate health care and education in
rural areas

10. Religion
● The main religions followed in Nepal are Hinduism,
Buddhism, Islam, Kirat, and Christianity. As per the census
of 2011, 81.3% of the Nepalese population is Hindu, 9.0%
is Buddhist 4.4% is Muslim, 3.0% is Kirant/Yumaist, 1.4%
is Christian, and 0.9% follows other religions.

11. ● Major Hindu festival celebrated every year.
Dashara

12. FOOD

13. TRADITIONAL DANCE
● Deuda Naach