ABOUT NEPAL
With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, landlocked Nepal was closed to the outside world until the 1950s. Since then the country has seen the creation of a multi-party parliamentary system, a decade-long Maoist insurgency, and the abolition of its monarchy.Flanked by China and India, it is home to eight of the world's highest mountains including Mount Everest, known locally as Sagarmatha.As one of the world's poorer countries, Nepal's economy relies heavily on aid and tourism. A devastating earthquake in April 2015 killed thousands of people, flattened villages and reduced numerous heritage sites to ruin.
PEOPLE
& CULTURE
Most people practice
Hinduism, but some people practice both Hinduism and Buddhism. The caste system
has been outlawed by the government but it still makes up the social structure
of everyday lives.Nepalese
are from four main groups: the Hindu caste, the Bhotes, the hill tribes, and
the Newar. The Hindus originally came from India and continue to follow the
caste system. Hill people include the Sherpas and other tribes.Sherpas are born way up in the
mountains at elevations above 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) and are known for
their ability to guide tourists in high altitude climbs. They teach visitors
about Sherpa culture and Buddhism's love of the land.The Bhotes live in mountains in the north
and are originally from Tibet. The Newar are the original native people of the
Kathmandu Valley.Most
Nepalese live in the central, hilly region, which embraces the Kathmandu
Valley, and in the southern plain known as the Terai. The Ganges River floods
this area and makes the land very fertile for growing crops. About 10 percent
live in the mountains over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) and are traders, farmers,
and herders.
