About Nepal

Nepal:  A Land of Mountains, Culture, and History

Nepal, formally called the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked nation located in the heart of South Asia. While it is famously home to the towering Himalayas, including eight of the world’s ten highest peaks like Mount Everest, its geography also stretches down to the lush Indo-Gangetic plains. To the north, it borders China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, and to the south, east, and west, it shares boundaries with India. Nepal lies close to both Bangladesh and Bhutan, separated only by narrow corridors of Indian territory.

Nepal is a vibrant and diverse country where a wide range of ethnic groups, languages, cultures, and religions come together to form a unique national identity. Nepali is the official language, and Kathmandu, a city steeped in history and tradition, serves as both the capital and the largest urban center.

Nepal’s name appears in ancient Vedic texts, linking it deeply with the roots of Hinduism—the dominant faith in the country. Around the 6th century BC, Lumbini in southern Nepal became the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha—establishing Nepal as a foundational land in the origins of Buddhism. Over time, the northern highlands absorbed rich elements of Tibetan heritage, while the Kathmandu Valley flourished as a cultural and political center of Indo-Aryan civilization. It was once the center of the Newar confederation known as Nepal Mandala, a prosperous and culturally rich trading region along the Himalayan Silk Road.

In the 18th century, the Gorkha Kingdom unified the various small states into what is now Nepal, establishing the Shah monarchy. Although never colonized, Nepal maintained close ties with the British Empire through the Rana ruling dynasty, serving as a buffer state between British India and Imperial China. Democratic governance was first introduced in 1951, but it faced interruptions by the monarchy in 1960 and 2005.

Following a decade of internal armed struggle, Nepal brought an end to centuries of monarchy in 2008, paving the way for a new era as a secular federal republic built on democratic principles and inclusive governance. The nation’s transformation was solidified with the adoption of a new constitution in 2015, which introduced a parliamentary system and restructured the country into seven distinct provinces.

In 1955, Nepal joined the United Nations, marking its entry into global diplomacy. Later, it emerged as one of the driving forces behind the formation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), reflecting its commitment to fostering regional unity and collaboration. Today, it proudly hosts SAARC’s permanent secretariat, highlighting its active engagement in regional diplomacy and cooperation. It has also signed important treaties with neighboring giants—India in 1950 and China in 1960. Nepal remains actively involved in global affairs as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Bay of Bengal Initiative (BIMSTEC).

Ranked as the fifth-largest military force in South Asia, Nepal’s armed forces are renowned worldwide for their fearless Gurkha soldiers. With a long-standing legacy of bravery and discipline, they continue to play a vital role in global peace efforts through their strong presence in United Nations peacekeeping missions.