Population
Nepal has an estimated population of 29,033,414 (CIA, 2016), only a slightly smaller country when compared to Canada’s population at an estimated 35,362,905 (CIA, 2016). It is a very diverse country with 125 ethnic groups, and many local languages, although the official language is Nepali (CIA, 2016).
Land Profile
Nepal is a landlocked country located in southern Asia, between China and India, with an area of approximately 147,181 square kilometers (CIA, 2016). The country is divided into three regions, shown in figure 6. The most northern part of the country is located within the rugged Himalayan mountain range, with cool summers and severe, cold winters (CIA, 2016). The most southern part of the country consistshttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGfnTCCKHU/TWMfLF4QKAI/AAAAAAAAAFo
of flat river plains, known as the tarai, with subtropical /4QAzBGsTIwM/s1600/map_nepal_geography%255B1%255D.gif
summers and cool, mild winters (CIA, 2016). The central region is primarily hilly areas, with a climate in between the north and the south. Agriculture occupies approximately 29% of the total land area. Arable land, suitable for growing crops, occupies approximately 15% of the total land area, which equals approximately 22,200 km2 (CIA, 2016). Of the 22,200 km2, approximately 13,300 km2 is irrigated (CIA, 2016).
of flat river plains, known as the tarai, with subtropical /4QAzBGsTIwM/s1600/map_nepal_geography%255B1%255D.gif
summers and cool, mild winters (CIA, 2016). The central region is primarily hilly areas, with a climate in between the north and the south. Agriculture occupies approximately 29% of the total land area. Arable land, suitable for growing crops, occupies approximately 15% of the total land area, which equals approximately 22,200 km2 (CIA, 2016). Of the 22,200 km2, approximately 13,300 km2 is irrigated (CIA, 2016).
Economy
The economy is considered very poor and developing, with approximately one quarter of the population living below the poverty line (CIA, 2016). Nepal is largely dependant on agriculture. Agriculture provides an income for 70% of the population. Nepal had a gross domestic product (purchasing power parity) of $70.09 billion USD for 2015 (CIA, 2016), in comparison, Canada had a gross domestic product (purchasing power parity) of $1.632 trillion USD in the same year (CIA, 2016).
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