In 2002, Nepal was a landlocked country located in South Asia with a population of approximately 24 million people. It was one of the least developed countries in the world, with an estimated per capita GDP of just over US$400. The economy was largely based on agriculture and tourism with limited industry and infrastructure. Around 80% of the population relied on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods and only around 40% had access to electricity. Education levels were also relatively low with only around 40% of the population being literate. According to computerannals, Nepal had been making progress in recent years in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction. The government had implemented several economic reform measures such as reducing trade tariffs and increasing foreign investment which had helped to boost the country’s economy. In addition, efforts were being made to improve health care services and access to education for all citizens. As a result of these initiatives, Nepal had achieved a higher standard of living than many other developing countries in the region at that time. Additionally, efforts were being made to reduce corruption and increase transparency in government operations which had helped to foster an environment conducive to foreign investment.

Yearbook 2002

Nepal. According to Countryaah website, national day of Nepal is every September 15. The war against the Maoist guerrillas continued uninterrupted throughout the year. There were regular reports of hundreds of people killed on both sides during a few days of fighting, usually in remote areas of western Nepal. A new anti-terrorist law stipulated life imprisonment for active guerrilla members. The Reporters Without Borders organization claimed that the government restricted the freedom of the press in the fight against guerrillas. Hundreds of journalists are said to have been arrested under the exception laws that have prevailed since November 2001.

In April, Parliament passed a new anti-corruption law, shortly after King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Deb appointed a commission to investigate corruption within the government and government. Under the new law, a politician convicted of corruption may not run for office for five years. Corruption is considered to be one of the factors that triggered the Maoist uprising in 1996.

On May 22, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba dissolved Parliament and announced new elections, just hours before Parliament was expected to vote down a proposal for an extended state of emergency. The decision aroused both opposition and within Deuba’s own party, the Nepalese Congress Party. It was considered unreasonable to hold elections in the midst of a fiery war. Three days later, Deuba was expelled from the Congress Party, but shortly thereafter his supporters made a declaration of no confidence in party leader Girija Prasad Koirala, excluded him and elected Deuba as party chairman. In September, Deuba formed a new party, called the Democratic Nepalese Congress Party.

The state of emergency, which was extended by three months after Parliament was dissolved, expired on August 28 to allow for an election campaign. It was announced that the election would be held for six rounds from November 13 to January 10, 2003.

However, when Prime Minister Deuba himself began to doubt that the election could be held and asked King Gyanendra to postpone it, he replied by dismissing the entire government and publicly declaring Deuba unpopular. For a week, the king himself had all the power, before appointing loyal loyalist Lokendra Bahadur Chand as new prime minister. Chand had previously been head of government for a couple of years in the 1980s, during the time of the absolute monarchy, and for half a year 1997.

Climate

The rainy season is from May to September with 90% of the rainfall. A total of about 2,000mm of precipitation falls per year, but decreases towards the west. The climatic snow line is 5,000m. The mean temperatures in Kathmandu in January are 10 ° C, those in July 24 ° C.

Nepal Country Overview

Visas
Nepalese visas are redeemed upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport. A visa costs USD 25 (maximum stay 15 days) or USD 40 (maximum stay 30 days). A visa form completed no more than 15 days before arrival will expedite border operations. A person going on a hiking trip needs two passport photos for hiking permits.

• According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, NPL stands for Nepal.

NOTE! The above prices are subject to change without notice due to local authorities.

Insurance
Everyone participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.

Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Vaccinations For
The trip, it is advisable to check that the following basic vaccinations are valid: tetanus, polio, diphtheria / pertussis. In addition, we recommend hepatitis A vaccination. For more information on vaccinations, contact your health center or the tourist clinic’s vaccination advice

Climate
Nepal has several different types of climate, from subtropical to northern European. Monsoons irrigate part of the country from mid-June to mid-September. In Kathmandu, daytime temperatures rise above 15 degrees. After the monsoon rains, from mid-September to November, it is the most popular and busiest time of the year to visit and hike in Nepal. The countryside is still lush with traces of a monsoon and several colorful flowers bloom. Snowfall will start again in October-November. In winter, Nepal has a quieter season and the higher slopes have more snow and average temperatures are at their lowest in the whole country.

India has a predominantly tropical climate, but the Himalayas have a temperate mountain climate. Due to the monsoons, most of the annual rainfall is obtained during the rainy season between June and September.

Food and drink
Nepali food culture has been influenced by neighboring countries such as India and Tibet. Lentils, rice and vegetables are the basic ingredients of Nepali food. Usually vegetables are either fried in oil or cooked over low heat. Meat is used according to its availability. In the Hindu religion, the cow is a sacred animal, so eating this meat is not acceptable. Nepali reed uses a wide variety of spice blends, including ginger as well as onions. Curry-flavored foods are especially popular, but the food is not burningly hot. The fruit is also used according to the season and availability. A popular drink is Nepali tea mixed with heated goat’s milk. Water and beverages must be industrially bottled. It is also a good idea to rinse fruits and vegetables with bottled water. Heated or tablet-purified water can be drunk. Reheated foods should be avoided.

Travel
Seasons The best time to travel to Nepal is late fall or early spring. Then the temperatures are pleasant and the rainfall low.

Time difference to Finland
+3 h 45 min

Currency
The Nepalese currency is the Nepalese Rupee (npr).1 € = about 100 NPR. Currency cannot be exchanged in Finland. Reserve cash in euros. There are ATMs in Kathmandu that accept Visa and MasterCard.

Electricity
in Nepal 220V.