National Anthem
Nations online project. (Cartographer). (nd). Administrative map of Nepal. [Administrative map]. Retrieved from http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/nepal-administrative-map.htm
UNICEF (Producer). (2010). Progress on the Millennium Development Goals, with equity, in Nepal. [Video]. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zcqRrotJJM
Vocal National Anthem (Producer). (2010). Nepal National anthem Nepali & English lyrics [Video]. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7ZvETrH-I4&feature=youtu.be
Nepal is a country that is land locked and located between China and India. The capital is Kathmandu and you may remembered Bob Seger's song "Katmandu". Most of the hiking and climbing community know Nepal because of Mount Everest. Out of the worlds 10 highest peaks, 8 of them are in Nepal (Central intelligence agency-Geography, 2013-2014). This country is rich with political history, resources, human population and climate fluctuations.
This country has a substantial political history. From threats of boarder control with India and China to an ever changing political description, Nepal has a fluid government control. What started as a King’s monarchy rule, has changed to a Federal Democratic Republic. The instability of a changing government kept this country in a state of poverty and economic disruption. The king’s power was diminished in 1991 when the first democratic elections were held and in 2001, there was a royal family massacre. The king’s brother, Gyanendra was crowned but that title remained for cultural purposes only. In 2005, King Gyanendra declared absolute power and dismissed the government. A group called "The Maoist" opposed this rule and started a decade long revolt. This group moved in and out of the government but eventually got what they wanted. In 2008 Parliament abolished the monarchy, Nepal became a Federal Democratic Republic and Ram Baran Yadau was the first elected president. Maoist leader, Pughpakamal Dahal became Prime Minister but his resign was over within one year because of disagreements with President Yadau. Dahal wanted to integrate formal rebel fighters into the government army. Since then, India and Nepal signed a $1 billion deal to built a hydro-plant and 2 major earthquakes killed thousands of people in 2015. Also within that year, protests ensued during November elections, the Parliament declared Nepal a secular state and the first women president was elected. Again, Maoist leader Dahal became Prime Minister. (BBC, 2016).
Health
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A research article published in 2011 used information obtained from Nepal Demographic Health Survey to conclude poor infants have a higher risk for mortality and are prone to disease due to malnourishment and a lack of access to preventative or curative interventions.
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Hazards contributing to mortality were 87% tobacco use, 64.1% home deliveries and 65.7% non-professional delivery help (Khadka et. al., 2011).
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The World Bank show Life Expectancy at Birth in South Asia at 67 years of age compared to High income countries, like the United States, at 79 years of age (Figure 2-2).
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Infant Mortality Rates for South Asia are 45 deaths per 1,000 live births in comparison to High income countries with 5 deaths per 1,000 live births (Skolnik, pp 22-36, 2016).
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The percentage ratio of deaths from communicable diseases in Low-to-Mid income countries and High income countries is 31:7. The percent of Disability adjusted life expectancy (DALY) for the same groups have a ratio of 40:5. (Skolnik, pp28-29, 2016).
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The top three causes of DALY in South Asia include lower respiratory infection, preterm birth complications and diarrheal diseases. The top three in high income countries include Ischemic Heart Disease, low back pain, and Stroke.
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There are two conditions that correlate in the statistics for leading causes of death for children under 5 years of age and children ages 5 – 14 years of age, those are Malaria and Diarrheal disease. In comparison to High income countries, whose top four causes of death in the same age groups have one similar condition between the statistics, Congenital anomalies. (Skolnik, pp 35, 2016).
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See Citations references
National Statistics
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Predominant mountainous terrain and land boundaries the size of Arkansas, 147,181 sq. km, living areas are limited (Central intelligence agency-Geography, 2013-2014)
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Population of 31,551,305 and many concerns surrounding Nepal’s poverty
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The average life expectancy at birth is 67.52 years and a maternal mortality rate of 258 deaths/100,000 live births
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Only 5.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent on health care and major infectious diseases include bacterial diarrhea, Hepatitis A and E and Typhoid fever
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30.1% of the children less than 5 years old are underweight and there are 2,467,549 children ages 5-14 years old working. Most children leave formal education by 12 years old and are predominately female (Central intelligence agency-People, 2013-2014). Approximately two-thirds of the population are illiterate and the largest group live in the rural mountains and Midwestern districts (Encyclopedia, 2006)
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Due to a long tradition of observing the caste system and gender inequality, women’s opportunity for health care, education, equal pay and social status has remained impoverished.
Economy
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Nepal’s main economic income is from agriculture however new agreements with India for hydropower may bring a new income source. Agriculture makes up 69% of the labor force however the landscape causes major problems. (Central intelligence agency-Economy, 2013-2014)
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The unemployment rate is 46% and 25.2% of the population live below the poverty line.
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Natural resources include water, hydropower, quartz and timber. Though there is a lot of water however fresh drinking water is contaminated by human waste, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents and can not be relied upon (Odekon, 2006).
Climate
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Climate has a large impact on the growing season and inhabitants. Nepal’s border shape is long across, short on the sides and have a huge climate variation. It ranges from subtropical at 3,937 ft. to artic at 14,436 ft.
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There is a monsoon season that's typically seen from June to September and gives increase to the larger rainfall totals. In eastern Nepal there is approximately 8 feet of rain yearly and diminished totals of 3 feet are recorded in western borders. (Robinson, 1991)