imate:
varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical
summers and mild winters in south
Terrain:
Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region,
rugged Himalayas in north
Natural resources:
quartz, water, timber, hydroelectric potential, scenic beauty, small
deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use:
arable land:
17%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
13%
forest and woodland:
33%
other:
37%
Irrigated land:
9,430 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
the almost total dependence on wood for fuel and cutting down trees to
expand agricultural land without replanting has resulted in widespread
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution (use of contaminated
water presents human health risks)
natural hazards:
vulnerable to severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and
famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer
monsoons
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban,
Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
Note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight
of world's 10 highest peaks

@Nepal, People

Population:
21,041,527 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.44% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
37.63 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
13.28 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
83.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
52.53 years
male:
52.35 years
female:
52.73 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.24 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Nepalese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Nepalese
Ethnic divisions:
Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais,
Limbus, Sherpas
Religions:
Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981)
note:
only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp distinction
between many Hindu and Buddhist groups
Languages:
Nepali (official), 20 languages divided into numerous dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
26%
male:
38%
female:
13%
Labor force:
8.5 million (1991 est.)
by occupa