A little Himalayan
country on India's northern border that claims to be the world's sole Hindu
monarchy.
The fact that over 90% of Nepalese people identify as Hindu
is one justification for this assertion, as does the fact that Nepal's royal
family, the Shah dynasty, has been a Hindu monarchy since 1769.
Birendra Bir Bikram Shah (b. 1945), the current monarch, was an undisputed absolute monarch until April 1990, when public dissatisfaction sparked a campaign for the restoration of democracy in Nepal.
The king was obliged to accept democratic changes and has
ruled as a constitutional monarch since May 1991, with the Nepali Parliament
having ultimate authority.
Despite its tiny size, Nepal possesses a wide range of
topographical features.
The submontane plains, Himalayan foothills, and high
Himalayas are its three primary geographical areas.
The uneven geography of the nation further separates each of
these areas.
The country's rough environment has a significant impact on
its economy, making agriculture unviable at anything more than a subsistence
level.
It does, however, serve as a draw for tourists, which is
Nepal's primary source of foreign cash.
As a result of the tremendous geographical variety, there is
also a large deal of human diversity.
Nepalese people are a mix of ethnic groups, including those
with historical ties to India and indigenous hill tribes linked with certain
regions of the nation.
The majority of Nepalese dwell in the rich foothill valleys.
These are the most hospitable areas, since the environment
in the highlands is much too severe for permanent settlement, and the lowlands
are plagued by sickness, especially malaria.
In general, Nepali culture has many characteristics with
those of India's neighboring regions, placing it firmly inside the Indian
cultural orbit.
Nepal also has numerous notable Hindu pilgrimage sites
(tirtha), including Pashupatinath in the Kathmandu Valley and Muktinath in the
Kali Gandaki River's headwaters.
