|RConstitution:|N Constitutional monarchy, where the king exercises autocratic control over government.
|RNational holiday:|N Birthday of King and National Day, December 28.
|RNature and climate:|N In north the Himalaya Mountains with Mount Everest reaching 8848 m.a.s.l. as the highest point. Between the peaks are many fertile plains and valleys housing most of the population. In the south the Indian lowland, Terai, with vast forests and preserves for many animals like elephants, tigers and buffaloes.
Capital Katmandu have an average temperature of +10°C in January and 24°C in July.
Percipitation 1300 mm.
|RPeople:|N Many different tribes of which Gurkhas, a mix of Tibetanians and Indians, are the biggest.
|REconomy:|N 93% of the population is occupied in agriculture and 5% in services.
Most important crops are rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, oilseeds, jute and cannabis for the illegal international drug trade.
Stockraizing and forestry are extensive.
Nepal have quartz, lead, iron ore, copper and zinc, but only quartz is mined.
Small mills for rice, jute, sugar and oilseeds are the main industries along with factories for cigarettes and bricks.
Tourism have an increasing importance.
|RHistory:|N At about 600 BC Gautama Buddha was born in this area, that was divided in a number of petty principalities.
During the 1760:s Indian Gurkhas conquered the area and united all the principalities into one country. From then on the British influence increased and in 1846 the Kana-family became heriditary prime ministers and the influence of the kings of the Shah-family decreased.
In 1950 the Kana-family was ousted by an armed revolution and the kings power increased.
The first king tried to introduce democratic reforms, but his son and successor imposed dictatorship in 1959 and introduced a socialistic policy.
Anti-government demonstrations in 1990 forced the king to lift the 30 year ban on political parties. In 1991 free popular elections were held.
