Nepal Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

South Asia.

Language

The official language is Nepali (spoken by 49%). There are many other languages, including Maithili and Bhojpuri. English is spoken in business circles and by people involved in the travel trade.

Area

147,181 sq km (56,827 sq miles).

Time Zone

GMT + 5.45.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. There are frequent power cuts.

Population

29.3 million (2009).

Population Density

199 per sq km.

Capital City

Kathmandu. Population: 949,486 (2009).

Government

Democratic Republic.

Head of Government

Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned from the post of Prime Minister in June 2010. He is yet to be replaced.

Head of State

President Ram Baran Yadav since 2008.

Religion

Mainly Hindu (85%) and Buddhist (8%), with a small Muslim minority (4%).

Recent History

Nepal was created from an amalgam of principalities in 1768, under King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Under the control of a hereditary king, it became a ‘buffer state' between the British Empire and territories to the north. The country became independent in 1923, but it was not until 1947 (the year of Indian independence), and total withdrawal of the British, before Nepal achieved complete autonomy.

King Gyanendra ascended the throne in June 2001, after Crown Prince Dipendra gunned down his parents and seven royals before killing himself. On 1 February 2005, the king dismissed the prime minister and his government for failing its mandate to hold elections and restore peace. He took power and a state of emergency followed, with press censorship and suspension of fundamental rights. He appointed a pro-monarchist cabinet and, in spring 2006, the escalating crisis between the king, political parties and Maoist insurgents culminated in strikes and demonstrations.

The king recalled parliament in April 2006, and appointed Girija Prasad Koirala, leader of the largest political party Nepali Congress, as prime minister. A landmark peace deal was agreed in November 2006, and, in early 2007, Maoists joined an interim government.

Elections in April 2008 resulted in a victory for the Maoists, following a 10-year insurgency. Their leader, Prachanda, became the senior political leader of Nepal. A planned abolition of the monarchy took place in May 2008, and the nation was declared a republic.

In May 2009, this government was brought down, and a coalition government made from all the other major political parties assumed power. Madhav Kumar Nepal of the Communist Party of Nepal became prime minister.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +977.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is sporadic and variable.

Internet

There are Internet cafes in Kathmandu, Patan and Pokhara - many with high-speed broadband links. Internet services are also provided by hotels.

Media

English-language newspapers available in Nepal are The Himalayan Times, The Kathmandu Post, Rising Nepal and The Nepali Times. Other dailies include Kantipur and Annapurna Post. The International Herald Tribune, Newsweek and Time can all be found in Kathmandu.

Post

Postal services are available in most centers. Make sure letters are hand-cancelled at the post office (post boxes should not be used for important communications).The general post office in Kathmandu (near the Dharahara Tower) is open Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Main hotels will also handle post.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
30 Jan Martyrs’ Day
8 Feb Vasant Panchami
18 Feb Rashtriya Prajatantra Divas (National Democracy Day)
3 Mar Shivaratri (in honor of Lord Shiva)
8 Mar Nepalese Women’s Day
19 Mar Holi
3 Apr Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses)
10 Apr Chaite Dashain
11 Apr Rama Nawami (Birthday of Lord Rama)
14 Apr Navabarsha (New Year’s Day)
9 May Buddha Jayanti (Birthday of Lord Buddha)
22 Aug Krishna Janmashtami
28 Sep Ghatasthapana
3 Oct Fulpati Saptami
4 Oct Maha Ashtami
5 Oct Maha Navami
6 Oct Vijaya Dashami
26 Oct Lakshmi Puja
27 Oct Govardhan Puja
9 Nov Constitution Day

2012
28 Jan Vasant Panchami
30 Jan Martyrs’ Day
18 Feb Rashtriya Prajatantra Divas (National Democracy Day)
20 Feb Shivaratri (in honor of Lord Shiva)
8 Mar Holi
8 Mar Nepalese Women’s Day
31 Mar Chaite Dashain *
31 Mar Rama Nawami (Birthday of Lord Rama)
1 Apr Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses) *
14 Apr Navabarsha (New Year’s Day)
28 Apr Buddha Jayanti (Birthday of Lord Buddha)
10 Aug Krishna Janmashtami
1 Oct Fulpati Saptami *
1 Oct Maha Ashtami *
15 Oct Ghatasthapana
23 Oct Maha Navami
24 Oct Vijaya Dashami
9 Nov Constitution Day
13 Nov Lakshmi Puja
14 Nov Govardhan Puja
* Date to be confirmed Some of the public holidays listed here are Hindu festivals, which are declared according to local astronomical observations. It is not possible to predict the exact dates of festivals occuring and the dates published are approximations. Travelers should check locally nearer the time for precise dates.

Contact Information

The British Embassy in Nepal

British Embassy, PO Box 106, Lainchaur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: (1) 4410583 or 4414588.
Website: www.ukinnepal.fco.gov.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0815-1230, 1330-1700; Fri 0815-1315.

Nepal Tourism Board

Bhrikuti Mandap, PO Box 11018, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: (1) 425 6909 or 6229.
Website: www.welcomenepal.com

Embassy of Nepal in the UK

12A Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QU, UK
Tel: (020) 7229 1594.
Website: www.nepembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 1000-1200 (consular section).

Embassy of Nepal in the USA

2131 Leroy Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 667 4550.
Website: www.nepalembassyusa.org