Nepal

1850s (March 20, Wednesday) – Rana Dynasty begins its rule, establishing a hereditary prime ministership

1951 (February 18, Sunday) – Rana rule ends and King Tribhuvan is restored to power with the help of India

1959 (February 15, Sunday) – First democratic elections held, leading to the formation of a parliamentary system

1960 (December 15, Thursday) – King Mahendra dissolves the first democratically elected government and establishes the Panchayat system

1990 (February 19, Monday) – People’s Movement (Jana Andolan) forces King Birendra to restore multiparty democracy

1996 (February 13, Tuesday) – Maoist Insurgency begins, leading to a decade-long civil war

2001 (June 1, Friday) – Royal Massacre: Crown Prince Dipendra kills 10 members of the royal family before succumbing to self-inflicted wounds

2004 (October 4, Monday) – Peace talks between the government and Maoists break down, and the insurgency intensifies

2005 (February 1, Tuesday) – King Gyanendra seizes direct control, suspending the constitution

2006 (April 24, Monday) – Second People’s Movement (Jana Andolan II) forces King Gyanendra to restore parliamentary democracy

2008 (May 28, Wednesday) – Nepal is declared a federal democratic republic, abolishing the monarchy

2015 (April 25, Saturday) – Gorkha Earthquake (Magnitude 7.8) devastates Nepal, killing over 9,000 people and causing widespread damage

2015 (May 12, Tuesday) – Aftershock (Magnitude 7.3) strikes Nepal, causing additional damage and fatalities

2017 (August 12, Saturday) – Severe flooding due to monsoon rains leads to widespread destruction in Terai region

2019 (February 19, Tuesday) – Cyclone Idai causes indirect impacts, including rainfall and floods in the eastern Terai region

2020 (March 24, Tuesday) – COVID-19 pandemic begins impacting Nepal, with nationwide lockdowns affecting the economy

2022 (November 8, Tuesday) – Severe flooding due to monsoon rains in the eastern and central regions of Nepal, displacing thousands

Continent: Asia
Location: South Asia, landlocked between China to the north and India to the south, east, and west
Capital: Kathmandu
Language: Nepali (official), Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, and other regional languages
Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
Population: ~31 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Nepal Time (NPT, UTC+5:45)

Borders: China (Tibet) to the north, India to the south, east, and west
Landscape: Mountainous, with the majority of the country covered by the Himalayas
Major Rivers: Koshi River, Gandaki River, Karnali River, Mahakali River
Major Mountains: Mount Everest (the highest peak in the world), Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna
Deserts: No deserts (though there are arid regions in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, such as Mustang)
Lakes: Rara Lake, Phewa Lake, Rupa Lake
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Mount Everest (8,848.86 m / 29,031.7 ft)
Lowest Point: Kanchan Kalan, in the Terai region (60 m / 197 ft)
Climate: Varied – tropical in the south, temperate in the middle, and alpine in the north
Geological Features: Himalayan mountain range, deep valleys, plateaus, and the Terai plains

Ethnic Groups: Indo-Aryan (66%), Tibeto-Burman (30%), others (4%)
Religion: Hinduism (approx. 81%), Buddhism (9%), Islam (4%), others
Urban Population: ~20% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~6% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Mount Everest, trekking, Buddhist and Hindu heritage, rich cultural traditions
Cuisine: Dal Bhat (lentil soup with rice), momo (dumplings), sel roti (sweet rice doughnut), gundruk (fermented leafy vegetable)
Arts: Traditional crafts, paubha painting, wood carving, architecture (pagodas and stupas)
Sports: Football (soccer), cricket, volleyball, and archery

Economy Type: Mixed economy with a focus on agriculture, tourism, and remittances from abroad
GDP: Approx. $35 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (rice, maize, millet), tourism, textiles, carpets, handicrafts, hydropower
Key Exports: Textiles, garments, carpets, vegetables, tea, herbs
Unemployment Rate: ~11% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Kathmandu Valley (center of commerce and tourism), Terai region (agriculture), Himalayas (tourism and hydropower)

Government Type: Federal democratic republic
Head of State: President Ram Chandra Poudel (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral Parliament (House of Representatives & National Assembly)
Constitution: In effect since 2015

Mount Everest: The highest peak in the world, popular for trekking and mountaineering
Kathmandu Valley: Historic area with ancient temples, stupas, and palaces (including UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
Lumbini: Birthplace of Lord Buddha, an important pilgrimage site
Chitwan National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its wildlife (including rhinos, tigers, and elephants)
Annapurna Circuit: A popular trekking route with stunning views of the Annapurna Range
Pokhara: A scenic city with lakes, waterfalls, and mountain views