Sultan, prime minister, foreign minister: Qaboos Bin Said Al Said
Population
29,890,686
3,090,150
Life Expectancy
66.510 years
74.470 years
Capital City
Kathmandu
Muscat
Largest city
Kathmandu (population: 1,442,270)
Muscat (population: 797,000)
Human Development Index
0.53
0.839
GDP per capita
$1,300 US
$26,900 US
Literacy Rate
48.6%
81.4%
Corruption Perception Index
2.7
5.5
Percentage of Women in Parliament
33.2%
9.1%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
46.000%
15.000%
Death Penalty
Abolished
Legal
Political System
federal democratic republic
monarchy
Independence date
1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
Religions
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
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu) 25%
Languages
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.)
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
