Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the world, for example, can match its tremendous diversity
in terrain, climate, people, and cultureﾭparticularly within a
comparable area. Whereas its land features include the world's
highest mountain peaks, terrain also plunges to an elevation
of less than 200 feet (60 meters) in the far southeast. Because
of location and differences in elevation, climatic conditions
range from subtropical in the south to polar ice cap atop high
mountain peaks. South Asia's famous monsoons bring sumﾭ
mer rains that account for about 90 percent of the country's
annual precipitation.
Despite its relatively small size and rugged terrain, Nepal
is home to nearly 29 million people. This gives the country a
whopping population density of about 510 people per square
mile (about 200 per square kilometer). With so much of the
country unsettled because of terrain, the density is several
times higher in those areas where people actually live. Nepal
faces a number of challenges as it tries to meet the needs of
its booming population. The country's economy is among the
poorest in the world. There is little industry, and most people
continue to practice subsistence agriculture in an economy
that depends heavily upon barter. Nepal's landlocked condition
and rugged terrain combine to make transportation linkages
inadequate and costly to build. A history of political instabilﾭ
ity and rampant corruption also are major constraints against
development. Consequently, many of the country's potential
resourcesﾭincluding abundant water and scenery that could
attract touristsﾭremain relatively undeveloped.
Recently, Nepal experienced extreme political turmoil,
including an attempted takeover by Maoists (Communists).
Rapid population growth, a stagnant economy, and mounting
frustrations combine to make Nepal a very difficult country
to govern successfully. Currently, the country is undergoing a
governmental transition. Regardless of the outcome, those in
power will face many challenges. They must somehow meet
the rising expectations of an increasingly impatient population.
