Nepal

= Nepal = =Climate/Weather = The climate in Nepal varies. The summers are generally warm. The winters in the areas with the lowest altitudes are pretty mild, but the higher up on the mountains, the more harsh the winter becomes. One weather condition that may turn most away from Nepal is they have a monsoon season. This takes place between June and September. A monsoon is a wind pattern that is specific to a season. In reality, monsoons shouldn't turn a traveler away from Nepal; even places like the southwestern USA. For more information:
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=Languages = The main language in Nepal is Nepali. Nepali is an Indo-Aryan language. 47.8% of Nepal speaks Nepali. According to Census 2001, some of the other languages include Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, and unspecified 2.5%. More Language Information:
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=Economy =

**Overview**: Nepal is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Almost one quarter of its population lives below the poverty line (earning less than $1.25 a day). Three quarters of the population make a livelihood through agriculture. **GDP per capital**: $ 1,200 **Unemployment**: 46% of people are unemployed in Nepal. **Agriculture- products:** pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugar cane, jute, root crops, milk, and Water Buffalo meat. **Industries:** tourism, carpets, textiles, small rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, and cement and brick production. **Exports:** clothing, pulses, carpets, textiles, juice, pashima, and jute goods **Imports**: petroleum products, machinery and equipment, gold, electrical goods, and medicine **Currency:** Nepalese rupees
 * Exchange **<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> **Rate:** 72.56 Nepalese rupees = $ 1.00

<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For more information visit: []

=<span style="color: #808080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 31px;">Transportation =

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Railways <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Highways <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Taxis <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Motorcycles <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Bikes <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Cars <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Buses <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Planes <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Helicopters <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Trains <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Trucks <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· 9 airports with paved runways <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· 36 with unpaved runways <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">So pretty much they use transportation the same as everywhere else, but walk most of the time. Not as many Nepalese people own cars, and public transportation is popular.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Nepal

=<span style="color: #eb3737; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 31px;">Government = <span style="color: #eb3737; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 31px; line-height: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">﻿ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Country Name (long):** Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Flag** <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Conventional Name (short):** Nepal <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Government type:** federal democratic republic <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Capital:** Kathmandu <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Voting:** everyone over the age of 18 is able to vote <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Law**: Laws are based upon the Hindu legal system and English common Law <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Government Divisions:** Judicial, Legislative, and Executive <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Executive:** Made up of: the President, the Prime minister, and the cabinet <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">For more information visit: [|https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.htm] [|l] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">

=<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Marriage Laws = For more : []
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Traditional marriages are usually arranged by parents, sometimes with the permission of the marriage partners.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Marriage is considered sacred, divine, and is to be endured beyond death.
 * Chastity is an important virtue a woman can bring to a marriage.
 * Weddings are usually a time of celebration and feasting.
 * They are elaborate and may last up to three days.
 * Dowries are common in marriages.

=<span style="color: #808000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 31px;">Nepal Culture in General = · <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Majority of Nepalese practice Hinduism, Buddhism is 2nd most practiced <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Nepal was a monarchy until 2008-then there was a revolution and it became a democratic republic <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Largest city is Kathmandu (it’s the capital, too) <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Typical dish is: dal-bhat-tarkari lentil soup over rice with curried veggies <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Folklore is big-traditional stories are told generation to generation <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Many Hindu and Buddhist festivals <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Food varies based on ethnicity, soil, and climate <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Life expectancy: male: 65 years, female: 67 years <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· CIA says Nepal’s risk of infectious disease is high <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Nepal is in Southern Asia, between China and India <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Slightly larger than Arkansas <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">·Mount Everest is in Nepal <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Literacy rate- t <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">otal population: 48.6%, male: 62.7%, female: 34.9% (people over age 15 that can read and write) <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· President is Ram Baran <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Nepal is among the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Almost ¼ of population living below poverty line <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Agriculture is what keeps the economy going <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Agriculture: Rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, milk, water buffalo meat <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Industries: tourism, carpets, textiles, sugar, cigarettes, bricks, cement <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Producer of cannabis, marijuana and hashish (illegal drugs) <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Nepalese people preform traditional dances <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Landlocked between China and India, it blends both cultures

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Sources: <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[]

=<span style="color: #800000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 31px;">Family Culture =

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· PDA is offensive <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· For Yes : shake your head from side to side, and for NO: nod your head up and down <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Superstition is a very big part of family life; there are Nepalese superstitions for everything. Ex. If you are in someone’s home and after you leave the baby gets sick it was probably because of your bad vibe <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Calling someone fat in Nepal is a compliment, because it shows you can afford food <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Marriage is a deal between the parents <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Don’t expect punctuality, being late is normal and acceptable to Nepalese people <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Arranged marriages are the norm <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Fathers are legally obligated to leave equal portions of land to each son <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">· Daughters do not inherit property unless they remain unmarried past age thirty-five <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Sources: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[]

=<span style="color: #a9652d; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 31px;">Clothing = <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">For more information: [] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Different clothing reflects different cultures
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Clothing differs according to people's geographical setting and/or weather conditions
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Daura-Suruwal, also known as "Labeda-Suruwal", is the conventional clothing in Nepal
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Clothing can be attached to religious beliefs
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Duara has eight strings that are used to tie itself up the body
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Eight is considered a lucky number in Nepal myths.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Traditional Duara has five pleats (Kallis) that signify the Pancha Buddha or Pancha Ratna
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The closed neck of the Duara-Suruwal signifies the snake around Lord Siva's neck
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">A common article of clothing for women is the cotton sari (Guniu) which is gaining recognition is fashion now.

=<span style="color: #008080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 31px;">Men's Role in Society =

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Only men can plow. They perform heavier farm work. They often have jobs in trade, as porters, and outside the village. In cities are more likely to work outside the home. Men tend to live longer than women. They're often viewed as the higher caste. When a man and a woman are married, the man receives <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> a substantial dowry from the bride's family. The groom's family gives much smaller gifts of <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> jewelry, clothing, and personal items to the bride. By law, the man must award each son equal shares of his land. I deally, sons will work the father's land as one group. However, a family's land is often divided, shrinking with every generation. A man permanently belongs to the kin group of his father.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">For more information visit: [|http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-N]

=<span style="color: #ec3cc6; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 31px;">Women's Role in Society = <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">﻿Women in Nepal are below men in all parts of society. Pehari and Newari women have it harder than Tibeto-Nepalese communities. Women in all of these regions of Nepal preform tasks lik e fetching <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">water, animal fodder, and household chores. Women work more than men in Nepal society. However, the small percent of rich families in Nepal are the opposite. Women in these families have virtually no responsibilities <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">because maids do housework for them. Poverty affects women more than men because a son is given more food than a daughter. The rate of educated women is higher in richer classes than of those below it. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">For more information visit: []



=<span style="color: #10da8f; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 31px;">Education = <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All of the above reflect advances made in Nepal educational systems. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">For more information visit: [] =<span style="color: #808080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> City vs. Country = <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> In most Nepal cities, people sustain jobs that involve trading. Merchants trade goods like handicrafts and in some cases other people. Nepal is considered one of the world's richest countries in the hydro power industry. A good commonly produced is carpet. However, 60% of Nepal is based off of agricultural work. These crops include <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">For more information see:
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Education only recently started developing
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">There are ongoing improvements
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">International organizations are involved in helping Nepal with its educational system
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Education is present in rural areas
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Education has seen an improvement since the cut in poverty rates and promotion of community development
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The government is currently working on undoing previous damage in the educational system inflicted by previous government regime
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">For many years, during the rule of the Rana family, education was suppressed and looked down upon
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The Rana family feared an educated public
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Before WWII, many middle and high schools were established in several villages
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Over time, education became very important to local people
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Regardless of the establishment of an educational system, many poor families couldn't afford to send their children to school because they needed their help on the farm
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">As of 1975, the government offered primary school for free
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Caste separation has denied some access to an education
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">There are only facilities in urban areas. This imposes a conflict on most villagers because it is expensive to send a child to live in the city.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Illiteracy sits at 58% of the population. 72% of which are women.
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Olivia Mann- Climate/Weather; Women's Roles; Language; Country vs. City Helen Boisaubin- Men's Roles; Economy; Government Maram Abdeen- Culture; Family Culture; Transportation Rachael Barnes- Marriage Laws; Clothing; Education