Nepal
Nepal’s Geography Altitude ranges from 650’ above sea level to >28,000 ft Located on same latitude as Fla. but holds 8 of world’s 10 highest mountains Bordered to the north by Tibetan Autonomous Region (China) Bordered on South by India Great climate extremes from humid tropical jungle to arctic desert Monsoon season hits east Nepal & drops more rain than in west Nepal
Topographical Map
Terrace Farming Nepal
Geographical Challenges 16% arable land Earthquakes, landslides due to mountainous terrain Monsoons =unequal distribution of water, severe thunderstorms, flooding, drought famine depending on nature of monsoon season Impact of climate change
Nepal’s ethnic groups 31 different culture groups & 52 languages
Demographics Pop=29 million (2008 est) Infant Mortality 62deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy: males 61 yrs Female 60 yrs Literacy ( 15 yrs + who can read & write) Male 63%, female 35% Religions: Hindu 81% Buddhist 11%, Muslim 4% Other… Languages: Nepali 48%, Mathali 12%, Bhojpuri 7%, Newar 3 % Others…
Health of Children
Hindu Temple Pohkara
Hindu Pilgrims Nepal
Buddhist Temple Kathmandu
Modern History 18thc Prithvi Narayan Shah & Gorkha armies conquer smaller kingdoms and unify Nepal Law code influenced by Brahmanical law Royal family Hindu Buddhism still practiced Anglo- Nepali War, Nepal loses, surrenders territory, beginning of weak Shah rule Nepalese Gorhka soldiers enlisted by British Rana Regime Prime Ministers powerful, kings nominal
Prithvi Narayan Shah 18thc Later portrait 19thc Rana’s continue strict cast system, marry into royal family, discriminate against Buddhists, seize monasteries
20thc Nepal 1951 Nepalese kings reestablish power End reign of Rana Prime Ministers Shahs open up Nepal to outside world Limited reforms 1990 Multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy 1996 Maoist insurgency gains influence 2001 crown prince kills king & other family members Uncle takes control
20thc cont King (uncle) dissolves gov’t & declares state of emergency Protests ensue, Nov 2006 accords w/ Maoist insurgency who are allowed to enter Parliament Agreement to hold election in April 2008 to vote on memebers for a Constituent Assembly who will draft a new Constitution for Nepal Maoist won largest number of seats
Red is Maoist /green NC/
Political Parties in Nepal Nepali Congress Party: established business & status quo group CPN-Maoist political party, advocates radical social & political change RPP-Royalist, conservative advocate return to monarchy Madhesi People’s Rights Forum UML-United Marxist Lenin Party 2008 elections 25 political parties won seats in Constituent Assembly-responsible for creating new constitution
Challenges for 21 st C Nepal Unemployment rate 42% Pop. Below poverty line 31% Per capita income $311 Labor force by occupation 76% agriculture 6% industry No oil or natural gas reserves 11,530 bbl/day oil imports Largest trading partner – India Deforestation, dessication National Parks & tourism vs local control
TRANSPORTATION Landlocked nation 10 paved airports & 37 unpaved 59 km Railroads 9800 km paved roads 7400 unpaved Nepal slightly larger in size than Arkansas 1/3 pop. Has no road access
School & classroom in Nepal
A national park in Nepal
Nepal