14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)
Religions
Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004)
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
Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language
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
machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel
External Debt
$96,300,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
5.690%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon
Southern Asia, between China and India
Area
20,770 km sq
147,181 km sq
Coastline
273 km
0 km
Climate
temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas
varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Rankings + Records
