Nepal
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Official name: State of Nepal (previously known as Kingdom of Nepal) |
DEMOGRAPHY
ECONOMY |
LIFE & LIBERTY |
Contents |
[edit] Geography
[edit] Location
- Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia. It is bordered by Tibet to the north and by India to the south, east and west. Though a small territory, the landscape of Nepal is unusually diverse, ranging from the humid Terai in the south to the lofty Himalayas in the north. Eight of the world’s 10 highest mountains are in Nepal, including Mount Everest.
[edit] Climate
[edit] Natural Resources
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Peoples
[edit] Provinces
- The Cities of Nepal
[edit] Life
[edit] Economy
[edit] Government
- Elections to Nepal's Constitutional Assembly took place on 10th April 2008. Thankfully, the elections passed with relative calm. Early results (17th April) show a clear lead for the Maoist party. This will mean major changes in Nepal over the coming two-year life of the elected constitutional assembly. Pray that the newly elected politicians will put the people first above personal, caste and party advantage, and that they will rule with justice and integrity.
- When King Gyanendra's direct rule ended in April 2006 the rebels entered talks on how to end the civil war. A landmark peace deal was agreed and in early 2007 the Maoists joined an interim government but later withdrew from the government, demanding abolition of the monarchy. Parliament agreed to this condition in December 2007, and the rebels rejoined the government. The monarchy was abolished in 2008. Pray for an honest, balanced, fair government that is able to seriously tackle the immense economic problems of the country. The poverty of most of the population is a fundamental issue.
[edit] Religion
- Nepal is 85 percent Hindu. Nepal’s Christian minority makes up between 1 to 2% of the population, Buddhism 16%, Islam 5%, Christianity 1.9%, Other 2.3%. Hinduism is recognized as Nepal’s official religion. Although people are free to follow any religion, it is against the law to convert to others.
[edit] Islam
[edit] Buddhism
- Nepal, although known officially as a Hindu nation, is probably more Buddhist in influence. Lumbini, in Nepal, is considered the birthplace of Buddha by some and there are many strong pilgrimage points that draw Buddhists from around the world The presence of Tibetan refugees strengthens the influence of that branch of Buddhism in this nation as well.
[edit] Christianity
- Before 1960 no Christian could even live in Nepal. Thank God that now there is more freedom of religion, but it is still difficult and dangerous to tell other people about God. In 1959, there were just 29 Christians secretly living in Nepal ― now there could be as many as half a million. Thank God for this amazing growth.
[edit] History
[edit] Churches
- Pray for long lasting peace between the different political fractions in this country, prosperity and stability, that the Nepalese Church will be a great blessing and help to their country.
[edit] Church and State Relations
[edit] Challenges for Christians:
- The lengthy civil war took a toll on churches in Nepal. A Gospel for Asia pastor in the country reported that many innocent Christian believers and church leaders were abducted and killed. Many pastors were physically assaulted or otherwise abused by both Maoists and the Nepal government’s official Army. Christians who have tried to share the Gospel with Hindus face imprisonment or even murder.
[edit] Mission
- The land gets its freedom and Global Recordings Network pushes into even more remote regions of this mountainous country, see GRN.
[edit] Broadcasting
[edit] Councils and Networks
[edit] Future Trends
[edit] For More Reading
