Nepal

Nepal stretches between India and China, rising from the low-lying Terai plains to the snowcapped Himalayas. The country includes eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, and Annapurna. River valleys carved by the Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali systems supply irrigation, hydropower, and white-water rafting. Kathmandu Valley hosts the capital with medieval plazas, stupas, and the densely populated city of Kathmandu.

Nepal is a federal democratic republic. The president serves as head of state, a prime minister leads the government, and a bicameral Parliament passes laws. Seven provinces and 753 local governments manage schools, roads, water supply, and disaster response. After the 2015 earthquakes, the country improved building codes and early-warning systems.

Nepal's history includes the Licchavi, Malla, and Shah dynasties, and unification under King Prithvi Narayan Shah in the 1700s. The monarchy ended in 2008 after a decade-long civil conflict with Maoist rebels, leading to a republican constitution. Nepal now contributes troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions and cooperates with regional bodies like SAARC.

The economy relies on agriculture, remittances from migrant workers, hydropower, and tourism. Farmers grow rice, maize, millet, and tea on terraced hillsides, while community forests provide timber and fuelwood. Trekking routes such as the Everest Base Camp Trail and Annapurna Circuit attract hikers, and paragliding, mountain biking, and wildlife safaris bring visitors to Pokhara and Chitwan National Park. Hydropower plants on mountain rivers export electricity to India.

Culture reflects Hindu and Buddhist traditions alongside indigenous customs. Temples such as Pashupatinath and stupas like Boudhanath draw pilgrims, while living goddess Kumari appears during festivals. Meals include dal bhat (lentils and rice), momo dumplings, and sel roti rice doughnuts. Festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, Holi, and Losar fill villages with kites, lamps, and drums, and children learn Nepali language while also studying English and regional tongues like Maithili or Newari.