Country report

 

 

 

 

 

Country report: NEPAL

Donald Akroman

10681094

ENGL 191

October 22, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nepal is landlocked country between India in north and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China in South, West and East. The area covered is 56,827 square miles.  With an area of 56,827 square miles i.e. slightly larger than the size of Arkansas has a population of approximately 27 million it is the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and the country's largest metropolis and has estimated of 5 million populations. The country has 14 zones and 75 districts. Nepal has a rich geography, extremely diverse terrain ranging from fertile plains and broad valleys to the mountainous north which has ten tallest mountains including Mount Everest, called Sagarmatha, the highest peak in the world.16.07% is the arable land and the main occupation of this country is agriculture. Nepal has a climate that ranges from sub-tropical summers with mild winters in the southern lowlands to an alpine climate with cool summers and severe winters in mountain. The main language is Nepali though people speak more than 100 languages. The main religion is Hindu which comprises 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3% and 2% others. The population growth rate is 1.76% and the birth rate is 21.85/1,000 population which is greater than in US. The net migration rate is 2.58 migrants/1,000 populations. 30.9% of population lies below poverty line. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita which is extremely low compared to that of US is just $1,300. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy providing 34.9 % to the GDP.

The flag of Nepal is unique because of it shape’s and symbol used. It is the only flag that is non-quadrilateral. The flag has two triangles, one stacked upon and slightly overlapping the other. The surface is dark red and the edge is blue. In the top triangle is a crescent moon; the sun is in the lower triangle. The color and symbol has its own significance. Red symbolizes closeness and blue symbolizes distance, whereas white symbolizes neutrality. Red is related to fire and blood, and blue is related to the vast sky. Red is the symbol of extreme heat whereas blue is the symbol of extreme cold. It seems quite meaningful that the sun, the moon, and the blue and red colors are used together. Red symbolizes the victory. It is even the symbol of good luck in Hinduism. Blue symbolizes knowledge, wisdom, honesty, and peace.

The highest peak in the world, Mount Everest lies in north of Nepal. It reaches 29,035 feet above sea level. The three main rivers are Kosi, Karnali and Narayani. The longest is Kosi with 453miles. Nepal is the world’s best place for pilgrimage tour and it is a tourism country. Of the many historical sites in Nepal ten are listed in the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The first is Royal National Chitwan Park which is rich in its variety of vegetation and wildlife. The park provides one of the last habitats for endangered species like the Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger. The other park is Sagarmatha National park where rare species of birds and animals are preserved. Kathamndu Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changu Narayan, Bouddha, Pashupati are the other world heritage sites. Lumbini which is located in Nepali is the birth place of Lord Buddha.

The main agricultural products are pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat. Hydropower is abundant in Nepal. It mainly exports to India. Nepal's main export items are Tibetan carpets, grain, herbal treatments and oils, pashmina and jute goods. Only 8% products are exported to US. The main imports of US are machinery and transport equipments. Others include petroleum product, medicines and electrical goods. 65.2% of import is from India.

Nepal is among the developing countries but recently the political instability has hampered its ability to implement key economic reforms. Government is cutting expenditures by reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries and laying off civil workers. Nepal has considerable scope for accelerating economic growth by exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism. Prospects for foreign trade in other sector are poor due to small size of economy, its technological backwardness, its landlocked geographic location and its vulnerability to natural disaster.  Nepal’s environmental challenges are largely a consequence of dependence on fuel derived from wood and expansion of agricultural lands includes removing trees without measures for replanting which results in deforestation and soil erosion. There is a refugee problem from Bhutan and border disputed with India are few transnational issues.