Overview
According to WHO-statistics Nepal is among the least developed countries in the world. For centuries this small country has been a buffer zone between the 'superpowers' India and China.
Map of Nepal
Life in Nepal is dominated in many regards by its location in the Himalaya, the highest mountains in the world.

According to UN estimates approximately about 23 million Nepalese live on 145,000 square kilometres of land which means about 155 inhabitants per square kilometre. But because a large part of the country is not habitable, the population is concentrated in few areas that naturally become very dense. Examples are the Kathmandu Valley and the Tarai, plains along the Indian border.
 
fields in the mountains street scene in Kathmandu
In April 1990, the only Hindu kingdom in the world became a constitutional monarchy. The partyless Panchayat system, of governance by council, was replaced by a multi-party system. Despite this transition Nepalese still have to learn and practice real democratic culture and values not only politically but also socially.

Development is snail paced because of the topography and geographical situation of the country. Developing modern system of transport is difficult in this mountainous country. Most regions are accessible only on foot making schools and health facilities available to people in few towns only.  
 
fields in the mountains street scene in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital city, has outgrown its existing basic infrastructure, a Third World phenomena. Today approximately 3 million people live in the Kathmandu Valley and the number is rising daily because much of the nation's economic activities takes place in this region. Human settlement in Kathmandu is unplanned and totally out of control. Essential infrastructure such as sewage system, water supply, schools, hospitals is available in few scattered places only. Increased vehicular traffic, smoking industries and polluted rivers and a very poor water supply system have made Kathmandu Valley a health hazard. Kathmandu is a city planner's nightmare.  
You can find more information on economic, social and historical aspects of this country on the web, e.g. the Report to the United Nations 1991, the country overview of the Library of Congress and the reports of the World Bank (mostly in English).
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Last update: May 2000 / Edited by Sabine Hug TransiT