Nepal, officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a sovereign country in South Asia. Located mainly in the Himalayas, it also extends into parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Nepal is a landlocked nation, bordered by Tibet (China) in the north and India in the south, east, and west. Although it does not directly border Bangladesh, the two countries are only 27 km apart, separated by a narrow strip of Indian territory. Similarly, Bhutan is separated from Nepal by the Indian state of Sikkim.

Nepal is the 49th most populous country in the world and ranks 93rd in terms of area. Its capital and largest city is Kathmandu.

Geography

Nepal’s geography is highly diverse, ranging from fertile plains and lush subalpine hills to some of the tallest peaks on Earth. The country is home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest (8,849 m), the highest point on Earth.

The Kathmandu Valley, at the country’s center, has historically been a hub of trade, culture, and governance, and it continues to play a vital role in Nepal’s identity.

People and Culture

Nepal is a multiethnic and multilingual nation, with Nepali as the official language. The major ethnic groups include:

• Chhetri (16.6%)

• Bahun (12.2%)

• Magar (7.1%)

• Tharu (6.6%)

• Tamang (5.8%)

• Newar (5%)

• Kami (4.8%)

• Musalman (4.4%)

• Yadav (4%)

• Rai (2.3%)

• Gurung (2%)

• Damai/Dholi (1.8%)

• Thakuri (1.6%)

• Limbu (1.5%)

• Sarki (1.4%)

• Others (22.9%)

Religions in Nepal:

• Hinduism – 81.3%

• Buddhism – 9%

• Islam – 4.4%

• Kirant – 3.1%

• Christianity – 1.4%

• Others (Prakriti, etc.) – 0.8%

Nepal has a rich cultural heritage influenced by Indo-Aryan traditions, Tibetan culture, and its own Newar civilization. The Kathmandu Valley developed unique art, architecture, and trade practices, historically playing a significant role in the Silk Road.

History

• The name “Nepal” dates back to the Vedic period, when Hinduism was first established in the Indian subcontinent.

• Around 563 BCE, Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini, Nepal.

• In 250 BCE, Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Empire visited Lumbini, leaving behind inscriptions that mark the beginning of Nepal’s recorded history.

• By the 4th century CE, much of Nepal came under the influence of the Gupta Empire.

• Despite external pressures, Nepal was never colonized, serving instead as a buffer between Imperial China and British India.

Modern Era

• 1951: Introduction of parliamentary democracy.

• 1960 & 2005: Democracy was twice suspended by monarchs.

• 1990s–2000s: The Nepalese Civil War reshaped the political landscape.

• 2008: Nepal became a secular federal republic, abolishing the world’s last Hindu monarchy.

• 2015: Adoption of the new constitution, establishing Nepal as a secular federal parliamentary republic with seven provinces.

Today, Nepal is unique as the only multi-party democratic nation ruled by a communist party.

International Relations and Military

Nepal became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and is a founding member of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), hosting its permanent secretariat in Kathmandu. It is also part of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Bay of Bengal Initiative (BIMSTEC).

The Nepalese military is the fifth largest in South Asia and is internationally renowned for its Gurkha soldiers, who served prominently in both World Wars. Nepal remains an active contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions.