ABSTRACT
Population: 19.4 million; Land area: 141 000 square kilometres; Ecological zones: landlocked country with high fertile valleys, glaciated peaks of the Himalayas; Climate: varies from subtropical lowland to alpine; Annual rainfall: 890–1778 mm; Forest area: 21 000 square kilometres; GNP per capita: US$ 180; Main industry: agriculture, coal, hydro-electric power, tourism; ODA received per capita: US$ 23.4; Population growth rate: 2.5 per cent; Life expectancy: 53 years; Adult illiteracy: 74 per cent; Access to safe water: 37 per cent; Access to sanitation: 6 per cent
