Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census) note: only official Hindu state in the world
Languages
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census) note: many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.)
Exports
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004)
Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar - NA (2007), 72.446 (2006), 72.16 (2005), 73.674 (2004), 76.141 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.300%
1.600%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
2
0
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Southern Asia, between China and India
Area
2,381,741 km sq
147,181 km sq
Coastline
998 km
0 km
Climate
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
