Nepal has always been an independent and sovereign country with glorious history, culture and tradition that date back to time immemorial. Before the campaign of national integration was launched by king Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Great, the Kathmandu Valley was ruled by the Malla Kings, whose contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique.

In 1768 AD, the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified Kingdom.

His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is the twelth King in the Shah dynasty.

The new Democratic Constitution of the Kingdom was promulgated on November 9, 1990.

Nepal is one of the founder members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).


People of Nepal

The population of Nepal was recorded to be about 25 million as of July 2002. Eighty-six percent of Nepalis follow Hinduism, while eight percent follow Buddhism and three percent follow Islam. The population comprises various groups of different races which are further divided into different castes.

The distinction in caste and ethnicity is understood more easily with a view of customary layout of the population. Some of the main groups are such: Gurungs and Magars who live mainly in the western region; Rais, Limbus and Sunwars who live in the eastern mid hills; Sherpas, Manangpas and Lopas who live near the mountains of Everest, Annapurna and Mustang respectively; Newars who live in and around the capital valley of Kathmandu; Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals who live in the Terai region; and Brahmins, Chhetris and Thakuris generally spread over all parts of the country.

Nepali is the official language of the state, spoken and understood by 90 percent of the population. Multiple ethnic groups speak more than a dozen other languages in about 30 different dialects. English is spoken by many in government and business offices. It is the mode of education in most private schools of Kathmandu and some other cities.

Nepal has a population of more than 22 million people made of different races and ethnic groups living in different regions, with diverse culture, languages and dialects.