Nepal in Brief
Nepal-a
country of amazing extremes, is the home of the world's highest mountains,
historic cities and the forested plains where the lordly tigers and the
great one-horned rhinoceros trundle at ease. In fact enchantment is everywhere-for
anyone in search of Shangrila !
History
Nepal- a country with a long historical tradition is an amalgamation of a number of medieval principalities. Before the campaign of national integration launched by King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the Kathmandu Valley was ruled by the Malla Kings, whose contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique.
In
1768 AD the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified kingdom. His
Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikrarn Shah Dev, is tenth King in the Shah
dynasty. The new democratic constitution of the kingdom was promulgated
on November 9, 1990. Nepal is one of the founder members of South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC of which the third summit was
held in Kathmandu in Nov. 1987.
People
Nepal has a population of more than 18 million people made of different
races living in different regions, with diverse culture, languages and
dialects. 
The
Gurungs and Magars live mainly in the west. The Rais, Limbus and Sunuwars
inhabit the slopes and valleys of the Eastern mid hills. The Sherpas live
in the Himalayan region. The Newars constitute an important ethnic group
of the capital valley Kathmandu. There are Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis
and Dhimals in the Terai region. The Brahmans, Chhetris and Thakuris are
spread generally over all parts of the kingdom.
Religion & Culture
Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two major religions of Nepal. 
A
remarkable feature of Nepal is the religious homogeneity what exists,
particularly between the Hindu and Buddhist Communities. Apart from the
Hindus and Buddhists, Muslim from the third largest religious group. The
exquisite medieval Art & Architecture of the Kathmandu Valley vividly
reflect the artistic ingenuity and the religious tradition of the people.
Language
Nepali, serves the purpose of the kingdom's lingua franca in Nepal. The educated people speak and understand English as well.
Climate
Nepal has four climatic seasons (a) Spring : March-May (b) Summer : June -August (c) Autumn : September-November and (d) Winter : December-February. The average temperature and rainfall records in Kathmandu are presented here under.