| Nepal |
Key Information
| Area | 147,181 square kilo meters |
| Country Capital | Kathmandu |
| Population | 23 million |
| Population Growth Rate | 3 per cent |
| Birth Rate (per thousand) | 35.32 |
| Death Rate (per thousand) | 10.18 |
| Population Density (per sq km) | 146 |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 58 |
| Literacy | 27.5 per cent |
| Languages | Nepali (also called Gurkhali) |
| Ethinic Groups | Bhotiya (which include the Sherpa), Khas, Kirati, Magar, Newari, Tharu, Tamong and Tibetans |
| Religions | Hinduism : 90 per cent Buddhism : 5 per cent Islam : 3 per cent |
| Major Industries | Minerals, textiles, jute, sugarcane, tobacco and tourism |
Places of Interest
| Place | Importance |
| Kathmandu | Country capital; historical centre; carved rose-brick temples; Ratna Park; Bagmati River |
| Durbar Square | Centre of old Kathmandu; temples;
ancient shrines; Kasthamandap (the oldest building in the valley); shopping |
| Great Bell | When rung, is believed to ward off
evil spirits |
| Jaganath Temple | Erotic carvings |
| Hanuman Dhoka | Old Royal Palace (17th century); paintings; museum |
| Freak Street | A tourist spot |
| South of Thamel | Temples; lake; pottery streets |
| Patan | Temples; Architecture; metalsmiths and brassware shops; stupas; zoo; Tibetan carpets |
| Bhaktapur | Architecture (17th century); temples; statues; Potters' Square; craft museums |
| Swayambhunath | Buddhist temple (monkey temple) |
| Pashupatinath | Shiva temple |
| Bodhnath | Stupa |
| Terai | Royal Chitwan National Park; wild life; temples; Janakpur Women's Development Centre |
| Pokhara | Lake; treking; Devi Falls; caves at Mahendra Gufa or Rupa and Begnas Tals lakes; |