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Between China and India. Slightly larger than Arkansas. Landlocked. Highest point: Mount Everest. Capital: Kathmandu.
Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.
Since 1996, "Maoist rebels" have have been warring against the government, a war that as of February 1, 2005 has left more than 10,000 people dead.
Figures unless otherwise stated are from the CIA Factbook.
factbook: "Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with almost one-third of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for about one-third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain."
Estimated per capita GDP:
2008 $1,100
2007 $1,100
2006 $ !,000
GDP annual growth rate estimated for 2007: 2.5 percent. (Ranks 178th)
Unemployment: 42 percent (2004 estimate).
Exports carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain.
Imports almost three times exports in cash value.
Deaths: 8.97. Births: 29.92, down from 31.45 in 2005.
Estimated for 2008: 29.519 million, up from 28.9 million in 2007. Growth rate estimated for 2008: 2.095 percent per year.
Infant mortality estimated for 2008: 62.0, down from 66.98 in 2005 (deaths before the age of one year, per 1,000 live births).
Average life expectancy at birth estimated for 2008: 60.94 years, up from 59.8 in 2005
Living with HIV/AIDS, ages 15 to 49: 0.5 percent. (2003)
Hinduism 86.2 percent, Buddhism 7.8 percent, Islam 3.8 percent. Hinduism is the official state religion -- the only officially Hindu state.
"More than 600 human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, students and political activists remain detained for peaceful and legitimate activities since a state of emergency was declared by King Gyanendra on 1 February. Human Rights Watch says a climate of intimidation is preventing human rights monitors from conducting investigations into alleged attacks."
SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
International Freedom of Expression eXchange
BBC News
Copyright © 2008 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.