Introduction

Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, Nepal is located between the latitude 26*22' to 30*27' North and longitude 80*4' E to 88*12' East, and elevation ranges from 90 to 8848 meters. The average length being 885 km. east to west and the average breadth is about 193 km. north to south. The country is bordering between the two most populous countries in the world, India in the East, South, and West, and China in the North. Nepal is a land locked country and home place of natural beauty with traces of artifacts. The Northern range (Himalayas) is covered with snow over the year where the highest peak of the world, the Mount Everest, stands. The middle range (Hill) is captured by gorgeous mountains, high peaks, hills, valleys and lakes. The Southern range (Terai) is the gangaitic plain of alluvial soil and consist of dense forest area, national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas. The temperature and rainfall differ from place to place. In the geographic diversity and varied climatic conditions census 2001 enumerated more than 100 caste/ethnic groups. Population projected for the year 2006 is 25.8 million. Nepal presents an example of being united in diversity over the history and has maintained its pride to be an independent and sovereign state.

Geographically, the country is divided in three regions; Mountain, Hill and Terai accommodating 7.3, 44.3 and 48.4 % of the population respectively in 2001. Based on area of districts these regions constitute 35, 42 and 23 percent respectively of the total land area of the kingdom. There are 5 development regions – Eastern Development Region, Central Development Region, Western Development Region, Mid-Western Development Region and Far-Western Development Region accommodating 23.1, 34.7, 19.7, 13.0 and 9.5 percent of population respectively in 2001. There are 75 administrative districts. Districts are further divided into smaller units, called Village Development committee (VDC) and Municipality. Currently, there are 3915 VDCs and 58 Municipalities in the country. Each VDC is composed of 9 wards, Municipality ward ranges from 9 to 35. Kathmandu is the capital city.

There are number of peaks, rivers and lakes in the country. Major peaks are - Mount Everest (8848 m), the highest peak of the world, Mt. Kanchanjanga (8586 m), the third highest peak of the world and the second highest in the country, Mt Lhotse (8516 m), Mt. Makalu (8463 m), Mt. Choyoyu (8201 m), Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Mt. Manaslu (8163 m), Mt Annapurna (8091 m), Mt. Gaurisankar (7134 m), Mt. Machhapuchhre (6996 m) and many other gracious peaks. Major rivers are - Koshi, Gandaki (Narayani), Karnali, Mechi, Mahakali, Bagmati, and Rapti. Major Lakes are - Mahendra Tal (Rara Daha), Phewa Tal, Sheyphoksundo Tal, Roopa Tal, Begnas Tal, Satyabati Tal, Khaptad Tal, and Tilicho Tal (at the highest attitude in the world). Main Glaciers are - Maha Langur, Kumbhakarna, Kanchanjangha, Khumbu, and Langtang Machhapuchhre.

Economic growth of the country has not improved substantially over time to overtake population growth. As the current population growth is 2.25 percent per annum, the gain achieved by development activities has been overshadowed by growing population. Little over half (58.2%) of the population of working age reported usually economically active in 2001. Population Census 2001 reports that 53.1 percent population of age 10 years & over are employed and 5.1 percent are unemployed. Contribution of non-agricultural activities are gradually increasing in the GDP.The preliminary estimates of per capita GDP and per capita GNP in terms of US dollar are 315 and 322 at a current price respectively for the year 2005/2006. 31 percent of the populations are below the absolute poverty line. The currency is Nepalese Rupee.