Surprising and intriguing facts about Nepal.

To begin, let's discuss the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. According to Nepalese mythology, Kathmandu used to be a lake. The myth states that Manjushri, a revered deity, flew to Kathmandu and, upon witnessing the vast lake, decided to slice the Cho bama's crest in half with his sword. This action caused the water to drain, allowing civilisation to flourish in the fertile valley. Although this is a myth, there is scientific evidence that supports it. Geologists believe that the Kathmandu Valley was indeed once a lake, backed by ample geological evidence. However, in contrast to the myth, scientists suggest that the lake gradually drained over a period of 15,000 years, rather than all at once.

Nepal is a unique country with a flag that stands out from the rest. Unlike other flags, Nepal's flag is not a rectangle or square. It is composed of two triangles. Additionally, Nepal holds the distinction of being the oldest country in South Asia, having been established in 1768. Interestingly, Nepal does not have an Independence Day because it has never been conquered. The original founding date of Nepal is September 25th, 1768. However, in 1923, Britain declared Nepal's independence. This was due to the country being ruled by the Iran family, which had ties to the British prime minister. This historical connection between Britain and Nepal is quite fascinating. Turning our attention to religion, Hinduism is the predominant faith in Nepal. Although the Nepali village of Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, Hindu beliefs and practices have had a significant influence on Nepali society. This influence continued until the year 2006.

Nepal, as per the World Factbook survey conducted in 2011, stood out as the only state globally to have Hinduism as its official religion. The survey revealed that 81.3% of the Nepalese population identified themselves as Hindus, while 9% followed Buddhism, 4.4% practiced Islam, 3% were involved in traditional arts, 1.4% identified as Christians, and 0.1% each were Sikhs and Jains. Additionally, 0.7% of the population followed other religions or held no religious affiliation. Another noteworthy fact is that Nepal has a population exceeding 28.8 million, accounting for approximately 0.37% of the world's total population. In terms of population ranking, Nepal holds the 49th position among all countries. The country spans a land area of 143,350 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 55,348 square miles. Notably, Nepal exhibits a population density of 200 individuals per square kilometer or 517 individuals per square mile.

The Nepalese Armed Forces hold the 120th position globally. It comprises the Nepalese Army, the Nepalese Air Force, and the Nepalese Armed Police Force. Unlike other countries, Nepal doesn't have distinct divisions for the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Instead, their land service army forms the majority of their military, with the smaller Army Air Services providing support to the land forces. This unique structure characterizes Nepal's military system. An interesting fact about Nepal is that its cinema industry is relatively new. The first Nepalese movie was released in 1964. The films are primarily in Nepali, although other languages, such as McFeely and Budge Poori, are also used. The terms "Nellie wood" and "Kollywood" are sometimes used to refer to the Nepalese film industry. "Nellie wood" is a blend of Nepal and Hollywood, highlighting the influence of Hollywood in Nepali cinema. Additionally, since Kathmandu is the centre of the Nepali film industry, the "K" in "Kollywood" represents Kathmandu, combined with Hollywood. Regarding Nepal's national debt, it currently amounts to $5.8 billion, based on the latest figures. This translates to a debt of $199 per citizen.

Nepal is among the select nations worldwide with sufficient capacity to acquire additional funds for financing development projects and achieving higher economic growth rates. However, the country currently grapples with challenges beyond financial resources. I will delve into these issues in a future episode. Moving on, let's discuss two more interesting facts. Mount Everest, the tallest peak on Earth above sea level, is situated in the Himalayas and spans both Nepal and China. With an impressive elevation of 8,848 meters or 29,029 feet, this colossal mountain is prone to natural disasters, making it one of the most treacherous to ascend. In April 2014, an avalanche occurred, prematurely ending the climbing season. A year later, another earthquake triggered a massive avalanche at the base camp. These incidents raised concerns about discouraging climbers and tourists. To reassure visitors and encourage climbing, the government waived climbing fees and announced improved climbing management. Nevertheless, the risks associated with Mount Everest serve as one of the reasons why I have not yet visited this remarkable site.

The Gurkhas are soldiers who have distinguished themselves as fierce fighters and have served in special units of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom and India. Originating from Nepal, the Gurkhas came into the spotlight after two encounters with the British East India Company. First, there was the Anglo Gurkha war from 1814 to 1816, followed by the Gurkha rebellion and the defeat of Mach 1 in 1816. The British were highly impressed with their skills and recruited them with the Prime Minister's permission. The Gurkhas then served as mercenaries organized in regiments within the army of the British East India Company. One notable aspect of the Gurkhas is their use of a unique-looking short sword called the kukri. This weapon was utilized in the Anglo Nepalese War, as well as the first and second World Wars. The Gurkhas are renowned for their formidable expertise in warfare, making it unwise to underestimate them. This brief overview provides a glimpse into the fascinating country of Nepal.