NEPAL - FACT SHEET

Location	South Asia, bordered on the north by China and on the south, west and east by India
Area / Population	App. 147, 000 Sq.Km./ 21.84 million (1997-98)
Capital / population	Kathmandu / 473,000
Population Growth Rate	2.1%
Language	Nepali (official) 50.3%, Maithali 11.8%, Bhojpuri 7.5%, Tharu 5.4%, Tamang 4.9%, Newari 3.7% and others 16.4%.
Main religions	Hinduism 86.5%, Buddhism 7.8%, Islam 3.5% and others 2.2%
Type of Government	Parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy
Main administrative divisions	5 Development Regions, 14 Zones and 75 districts, 58 municipalities
Main Geographical Division	Northern Himalayan Mountains 15%, Central Hilly region 68%, and Southern Terai region 17%.
Major Rivers	Mahakali in Far-Western, Karnali in Mid-Western, Gandaki in Western, Bagmati in Central, and Koshi and Mechi in the Eastern regions
Climate	Alpine in the North, temperate in the Mid-lands and sub-tropical in the South
Temperature	Region Maximum Minimum Mountains 16^oC-15^oC Hills28^oC0^oCa Terai40^oC7^oC
Rainfall	1500 - 2500 mm (average)
Life Expectancy at birth	56.5 years (1996) male - 57 years, female - 56 years
Literacy Rate	39.6% (1991) male - 54.5%, female - 25%
Newspapers	Daily - 148, Biweekly -6, weekly 761, bimonthly 134, monthly 489 (1997)
Gross Domestic Product	US $ 4890 million (1997/98 P)-at producer’s price US $ 4720 million(1997/98 P)-at factor cost P- projected US$ 1= NRs 60
Per Capita GNP	US $ 228 (1997/98 P) P- projected US$ 1= NRs 60
Foreign Exchange Reserve	US $ 1083 million (1997/98 P) P- projected US$ 1= NRs 60
Major imports	Petroleum products, chemicals and drugs, food and live animals, machinery & transport and equipment
Total Imports	US $ 1722 million (1997/98 P) P- projected US$ 1= NRs 60
Major exports	Woolen carpet, readymade garments, pulses, handicrafts, hides & skins, cardamom, jute
Total Exports	US $ 1184 million (1997/98 P) P- projected US$ 1= NRs 60
Major Industries	Rice and flour mills, cigarettes, sugar, cement, beverages, jute, handicrafts, carpets, readymade garments, tourism
Time	IST(Indian Standard Time) + 15 munutes