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Draped
along the greatest heights of the Himalaya, the kingdom of
Nepal is a land of sublime scenery, time-worn temples, and
some of the best walking trails on earth. It's a poor country,
but it is rich in scenic splendour and cultural treasures.
The kingdom has long exerted a pull on the Western imagination
and it's a difficult place to dislodge from your memory once
you return. This is why so many travellers are drawn back
to Nepal, armed the second time round with a greater appreciation
of its natural and cultural complexity, a stout pair of walking
boots and a desire for improved leg-definition.
Full
country name: Kingdom of Nepal
Area: 140,800 sq km
Population: 24 million
Capital city: Kathmandu (pop 535,000)
People: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs,
Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas
Language: Nepali (also called Gurkhali)
Religion: 90% Hindu, 5% Buddhist, 3% Muslim, 2% other
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Prime Minister: Lokendra Bahadur Chand
King: Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev
GDP:
US$27.4 billion
GDP per head: US$1100
Annual growth: 6%
Inflation: 2.1%
Major industries: Tourism, carpet, textile, small rice, jute,
sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, cement and brick production,
rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, water buffalo
meat
Major trading partners: India, US, Germany, UK, Singapore,
Japan
Nepal
Flight from UK
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