Located between China and India, Nepal stretches along the entire length of the Himalayan mountain range. Its high mountains offer magnificent landscapes, featuring 8 of the world's highest peaks. Nepal benefits significantly from mountain tourism, which accounts for approximately 10% of its GDP. While this sector is fully exploited, the surrounding environment also presents challenges to development due to its rugged topography and unique climate. The seasons dictate the rhythm of the country's activity, with dry winters and summers marked by heavy monsoons.
The diversity of its ethnic groups, castes, and languages makes Nepal a country with a rich and complex culture. Religion plays an important role in the daily lives of the Nepalese; Hinduism, practiced by the majority of the population, has coexisted with Buddhism for several centuries. Architecture, sculpture, and religion are closely linked to Nepalese culture, and it is in the temples that one can find the most beautiful wood and stone carvings. To this day, some villages and cities still come alive with their religious festivities.
With more than 29 million inhabitants, over 85% of the population lives in rural areas. Nepal is divided into 75 districts and VDCs (Village Development Committees), which are equivalent to municipalities. Their structures vary greatly: some consist of closely clustered houses with high density, while others are more irregular, with houses separated from one another. Consequently, the perception of time and distance can vary significantly, and it is common to have to walk several kilometers to travel from one part of a VDC to another. These villages are not well connected, even to major cities, which makes completing compulsory education difficult. However, a clear improvement can be seen today, with a youth literacy rate of 84%.
