Nepal
 Kingdom of 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.
Map of Nepal
Population: 25,284,463 (July 2001 est.)
Capital: Kathmandu
Area: total:  total: 140,800 sq km; land: 136,800 sq km; water: 4,000 sq km (slightly larger than Arkansas)
Government: parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy; led by [head of state] King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (succeeded to the throne 4 June 2001 following the death of his nephew King DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah), and [head of government] Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 22 March 2000)
Languages: Nepali (official; spoken by 90% of the population), about a dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects; note - many in government and business also speak English (1995)
Ethnic groups: Brahman, Chetri, Newar, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tharu, and others (1995)
Religions: Hinduism 86.2%, Buddhism 7.8%, Islam 3.8%, other 2.2%
Economy: GDP - purchasing power parity US$33.7 billion (2000 est.); GDP (real growth rate) 3.7% (2000 est.); GDP per capita - purchasing power parity US$1,360 (2000 est.)
Import partners: India 31%, China/Hong Kong 16%, Singapore 14% (FY97/98)
Export partners: India 33%, US 26%, Germany 25% (FY97/98)

Source: CIA World Factbook (2001)