Nepals

Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia bordered by India to the south, east, and west, and by China to the north. Its capital and largest city is Kathmandu. The country covers a wide range of elevations, from the fertile Terai plains in the south to the high peaks of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, the world’s highest point. The terrain creates diverse climates and a variety of ecological zones.

Historically, Nepal consisted of numerous small principalities. It was unified in the late 18th century under Prithvi Narayan Shah and became a monarchy that persisted into the 20th century. A movement toward multiparty democracy culminated in the 1990 constitution, and the country transitioned from a constitutional monarchy to a federal democratic republic in 2008. A new constitution adopted in 2015 created seven provinces and established a federal parliamentary system.

Nepal’s political system is a federal parliamentary republic. The president serves as head of state with largely ceremonial duties, while the prime minister leads the government. The legislature is bicameral, comprising the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. Local governance is organized at the provincial and municipal levels.

The economy is mixed, with a large agricultural sector alongside substantial contributions from tourism, remittances, and services. Tourism relies heavily on trekking and mountaineering in the Himalayas, as well as cultural heritage sites such as Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Nepal is ethnically and linguistically diverse, with Nepali as the official language and Hinduism and Buddhism as major religions. The country faces development challenges including infrastructure, energy, and disaster risk management.