The People of Nepal

The first modern census of Nepal, completed in 1958 by the Government with the help of United Nations technical assistance experts, revealed that the country had a population of 8,473,478 people. The 500-mile-long, 100-mile-wide country is inhabited by eleven major tribes--the Kumaonis, Chetris, Tharus, Sunwars, Rais, Sherpas, Newars, Magars, Gurungs, Limbus and Murmis--who are mostly farmers.

A large portion of the population is Buddhist. Children are taught in Buddhist schools like the Mahendra Bouddha Vidyalaya School in Katmandu. Here, children receive instructions outdoors, when the weather permits, because classes are overcrowded. The school is built around the large Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath.

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