Nepal Nepals Geography Altitude ranges from 650 above
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 62 deaths/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 • 18 thc Prithvi Narayan Shah & Gorkha armies conquer smaller kingdoms and unify Nepal • Law code influenced by Brahmanical law • Royal family Hindu • Buddhism still practiced • 1814 -1816 Anglo. Nepali War, Nepal loses, surrenders territory, beginning of weak Shah rule • Nepalese Gorhka soldiers enlisted by British • Rana Regime 18461950 Prime Ministers powerful, kings nominal
Prithvi Narayan Shah 18 thc • Later portrait 19 thc Rana’s continue strict cast system, marry into royal family, discriminate against Buddhists, seize monasteries
20 thc 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
20 thc cont. • 2005 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 • Madhesi People’s Party: established Rights Forum business & status quo • UML-United Marxist group Lenin Party • CPN-Maoist political • 2008 elections 25 party, advocates political parties won radical social & seats in Constituent political change Assembly-responsible • RPP-Royalist, for creating new conservative advocate constitution return to monarchy
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
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