Nepal

In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist insurgency, launched in 1996, gained traction and threatened to bring down the regime, especially after a negotiated cease-fire between the Maoists and government forces broke down in August 2003. In 2001, the crown prince massacred ten members of the royal family, including the king and queen, and then took his own life. In October 2002, the new king dismissed the prime minister and his cabinet for "incompetence" after they dissolved the parliament and were subsequently unable to hold elections because of the ongoing insurgency. While stopping short of reestablishing parliament, the king in June 2004 reinstated the most recently elected prime minister who formed a four-party coalition government. Citing dissatisfaction with the government's lack of progress in addressing the Maoist insurgency and corruption, the king in February 2005 dissolved the government, declared a state of emergency, imprisoned party leaders, and assumed power. The king's government subsequently released party leaders and officially ended the state of emergency in May 2005, but the monarch retained absolute power until April 2006. After nearly three weeks of mass protests organized by the seven-party opposition and the Maoists, the king allowed parliament to reconvene on 28 April 2006. Following the November 2006 peace accord between the government and the Maoists, an interim constitution was promulgated and the Maoists were allowed to enter parliament in mid-January 2007. Constituent elections are planned for June 2007.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 28,901,790 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Nepalese (singular and plural)

Nationality (Adjective): Nepalese

Official Language(s): Nepali

Major Languages Spoken: English, Nepali

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): Nepal

Country Name (short form): Nepal

Country Name (local long form): Nepal

Country Name (local short form): Nepal

Name of Capital: Kathmandu

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Nepal: China, India

Land Area: 143181 sq km

Water Area: 4000 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly larger than Arkansas

Total Land Boundry: 2,926 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

National Holiday: in 2006, Parliament abolished the birthday of King GYANENDRA (7 July) and Constitution Day (9 November) as national holidays

International Phone Code: 977

Currency Code: Nepalese rupee (NPR)

Internet Country Code: .np

US Embassy Location: Panipokhari, Kathmandu

US Embassy Mailing Address: use embassy street address

Services In, and Related to Nepal

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