The Kingdom of Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia, bordering the People's Republic of China to the north and India to the south, east and west. Nepal has the distinction of being the world's only Hindu state, with over eighty percent of the people following this faith. For a relatively small country, the Nepali landscape is uncommonly diverse, ranging from the humid Terai in the south to the lofty Himalayas in the north. Nepal boasts eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest on the border with China. Kathmandu is the capital and largest city. The exact origin of the name Nepal is uncertain, but the most popular understanding is that it is derived from Ne (holy) and pal (cave).
After a long and rich history, during which the region has splintered and coalesced under a variety of absolute rulers, Nepal became a constitutional monarchy in 1990. This arrangement has been marked by increasing instability, both in the parliament and, since 1996, throughout large swathes of the country that have been fought over by Maoist insurgents . The Maoists have sought to overthrow the monarchy and establish their own form of republic; this has led to a civil war in which more than 12,000 people have died (see Nepalese civil war). On the pretext of quashing the insurgents, who now control about seventy percent of the country, the king unilaterally declared a "state of emergency" early in 2005, closing down the parliament and assuming all executive powers.
Nepal is of roughly rectangular shape, 850 km wide and 200 km broad, with an area of 147,181 kmē. Although Nepal shares no boundary with Bangladesh, the two countries are separated by a narrow strip of land about 24 km wide, known as the Chicken's Neck. Efforts are underway to try and make this area a free-trade zone. Nepal is commonly divided into three physiographic areas—the Mountain, Hill, and Terai Regions. These ecological belts run east–west and are bisected by Nepal's major river systems.
The culture of Nepal, the rich cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Nepal, has evolved over centuries. This multidimensional cultural heritage encompasses within itself cultural diversities of various ethnic, tribal, and social groups, located at different altitudes, and is also manifested in various other forms, including music and dance; art and craft; folklores and folktales; languages and literature; philosophy and religion; festivals and celebrations; and foods and drinks.
Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia situated in the Himalayas, and the world’s only Hindu kingdom, shares its borders with the People's Republic of China, (Tibet Autonomous Region) and India, and the population of Nepal mainly consist of Tibeto-Burmans, or Mongoloids from the north, and Indo-Aryans from the south. This ethnic diversity, and proximity to neighbouring giant cultures have also influenced the culture of Nepal, and Nepal has inheritated several customs and cultural practices from the north (China and Tibet) as well as from the south (India), and over a period of time attuned the same to its own indegeneous requirements based on its topography, available resources and climate.
Things you should know when travelling to Nepal
Canadians travelling on business should evaluate carefully the implications for their security and safety before deciding to travel to Nepal. Canadians in Nepal should regularly review their personal circumstances to determine if their continued presence is warranted. If Canadians feel their personal safety is threatened, they should consider departing from Nepal.
The Maoist insurgency, which began in 1996, has intensified significantly once again since August 2003, causing instability, violence, and widespread disruption across the country, including armed robberies, ransacking and destruction of premises, and threats. Army patrols and other government targets have come under attack, as has infrastructure, including telecommunications facilities in several areas frequented by tourists. Roads and bridges have been bombed. Some remote airports and power and water supplies have been targeted. Attacks are not directed at tourists or foreigners, but there have been sporadic armed robberies of climbing expeditions, trekking groups, and tourist hotels. Some field offices of international non-governmental organisations have been targeted and burned. Several bomb attacks have occurred in Kathmandu. Official and unofficial curfews are in effect in many parts of the country including, at times, unofficial curfews in Kathmandu, where bars and restaurants are encouraged to close early. Curfew regulations should be strictly followed. Security forces have been authorized to shoot on sight any person defying the curfew. Army and police checkpoints are frequently encountered, especially at night.
Petty theft is common, especially near tourist sites, on buses, and in hotel rooms. Do not leave personal belongings unattended. Travellers should exercise extreme caution in and around Kathmandu and other cities. Canadians should take particular care when walking around Thamel, a popular tourist spot in Kathmandu, where pickpocketing is common. Do not travel after dark. Women are vulnerable to harassment and verbal abuse. Conservative dress is recommended, particularly in remote areas.
Demonstrations and general strikes (bandhs) are popular forms of political expression and occur on short notice. Many businesses close and transportation services are disrupted. Travellers should avoid road travel outside the Kathmandu Valley and urban centres on public buses during or immediately preceding bandhs. Tourists have been injured. Those planning air travel to or from Nepal during scheduled bandhs should be aware that transportation to and from airports throughout Nepal could be affected. Bandhs are usually peaceful but can erupt into riots and violence.
Many trekking routes are seriously affected by the Maoist insurgency. Some are no longer safe for travel due to escalating problems with the Maoists. There have been incidents where trekkers and climbers have been stopped by Maoists and asked for money, threatened or injured before being allowed to continue on their journey. Canadians should exercise caution and remain calm if they are asked for "donations." Canadians are requested to report any incidents to the Canadian Cooperation Office in Kathmandu. Trekkers should be aware that emergency services such as evacuations and rescues from remote areas have been compromised by Maoist attacks on helicopters and airfields and the destruction of regular phone service in most trekking areas. Travellers should check with their trekking agency as to the security situation in the area.
Mountain trekkers should not travel alone but with recognized groups and organisations. Several Canadians have had fatal accidents while trekking. Many popular trekking trails exceed 5,500 metres (18,000 feet). Trekkers may experience acute mountain sickness at high altitudes and should be well informed on possible hazards in the high mountains. Whitewater rafting excursions should be organized through reputable agencies only.
