the almost total dependence on wood for fuel and
cutting down trees to expand agricultural land without replanting
has resulted in widespread deforestation; soil erosion; water
pollution (use of contaminated water presents human health risks)
natural hazards: severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides,
drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration
of the summer monsoons
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation

Geographic note: landlocked; strategic location between China and
India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks

People
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Population: 22,094,033 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 4,776,245; female 4,563,000)
15-64 years: 55% (male 6,172,821; female 5,945,626)
65 years and over: 3% (male 320,350; female 315,991) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.45% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 12.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.04 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 79 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.63 years
male: 53.35 years
female: 53.93 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Nepalese (singular and plural)
adjective: Nepalese

Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars,
Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas

Religions: Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981)
note: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp
distinction between many Hindu and Buddhist groups

Languages: Nepali (official), 20 other languages divided into
numerous dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 27.5%
male: 40.9%
female: 14%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Nepal
conventional short form: Nepal

Data code: NP

Type of government: par