republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Independence date
1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)
27 October 1991 (from Soviet Union)
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
Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%
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.)
