ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in Nepal. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities, life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in Nepal. Nepalese can change their government through elections, but face restrictions on many basic rights. Elections are free though not entirely fair because of irregularities or violence in some districts. Under elected governments, Nepal's average income, literacy rate, and health indicators have shown gains. Wages, however, have remained largely stagnant in real terms, rampant corruption and smuggling have stunted economic development, and, according to local press reports, criminal gangs have penetrated politics. Nepalese groups ranging from diehard Communists to hardline monarchists frequently hold political rallies.
