Changes

|chancellor =

|chancellor =

|chancellor-raw =

|chancellor-raw =

|pm         =Sushil Koirala

|pm         =Baburam Bhattarai

|pm-raw         =

|pm-raw         =

|area         =56,136 sq. miles

|area         =56,136 sq. miles

|pop         =26,532,332 est.

|pop         =29,519,114 est.

|pop-basis =2011

|pop-basis =2008

|gdp         =$65 billion

|gdp         =$7.7 billion

|gdp-year =2011

|gdp-year =2007

|gdp-pc         =$2300

|gdp-pc         =$322

|currency =Nepalese rupee   

|currency =Nepalese rupee   

|idd =

|idd =

|tld            =

|tld            =

}}

}}

'''Nepal''' is a landlocked Himalayan country in South [[Asia]].  It is bordered by [[Tibet]] and [[China]] to the north and by [[India]] to the south, east and west. Nepal is home to eight of the world's top ten highest mountains, including [[Mount Everest]]. Kathmandu is the capital and largest city.

'''Nepal''' is a landlocked Himalayan country in South [[Asia]].  It is bordered by [[Tibet]] and [[China]] to the north and by [[India]] to the south, east and west. Nepal lays claim to eight of the world's top ten highest mountains, including [[Mount Everest]]. Kathmandu is the capital and largest city.

==Geography==

==Geography==

==Economy==

==Economy==

Nepal ranks among the world's poorest countries, with a per capita income of around $2300. Based on national calorie/GNP criteria, an estimated 31% of the population is below the poverty line. An isolated, agrarian society until the mid-20th century, Nepal entered the modern era in 1951 without schools, hospitals, roads, telecommunications, electric power, industry, or a civil service. The country has, however, made progress toward sustainable economic growth since the 1950s and is committed to a program of economic liberalization.  

Nepal ranks among the world's poorest countries, with a per capita income of around $322. Based on national calorie/GNP criteria, an estimated 31% of the population is below the poverty line. An isolated, agrarian society until the mid-20th century, Nepal entered the modern era in 1951 without schools, hospitals, roads, telecommunications, electric power, industry, or a civil service. The country has, however, made progress toward sustainable economic growth since the 1950s and is committed to a program of economic liberalization.  

[[File:Nepal cow.jpg|right]]

[[File:Nepal cow.jpg|right]]

Nepal launched its tenth five-year economic development plan in 2002; its currency has been made convertible; and fourteen state enterprises have been privatized, seven liquidated and two dissolved. Foreign aid accounts for more than half the development budget. The Government of Nepal has shown an increasing commitment to fiscal transparency, good governance, and accountability. Also in 2002, the government began to prioritize development projects and eliminate wasteful spending. In consultation with civil society and donors, the government cut 160 development projects that were driven by political patronage.  

Nepal launched its tenth five-year economic development plan in 2002; its currency has been made convertible; and fourteen state enterprises have been privatized, seven liquidated and two dissolved. Foreign aid accounts for more than half the development budget. The Government of Nepal has shown an increasing commitment to fiscal transparency, good governance, and accountability. Also in 2002, the government began to prioritize development projects and eliminate wasteful spending. In consultation with civil society and donors, the government cut 160 development projects that were driven by political patronage.