Nepal

Population About country profiles The country profiles are intended to provide some background and context for the descriptions of the churches. These profiles should be read in conjunction with those of the churches in the country. Click here for the sources of the statistical data *:	29,853,000
Surface area:	147,181 km²
Capital:	Kathmandu
GNI per capita:	290 US$
Classification:	Economy in transition
Languages:	Nepali
Religions:	Hindu: 77.00% Indigenous: 9.00% Buddhist: 8.00% Muslim: 4.00% Christian: 2.00%

Christianity:	Independent: 720,000 Protestants: 200,000 Pentecostals: 129,695 Catholics: 7,500

Nepal first united as a kingdom in the eighteenth century. In 1951 a cabinet system of government was established. Reforms in 1990 created a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. Much violence has taken place within the government since, including 2001 when the crown prince murdered the king, queen, and eight other members of the royal family before taking his own life. A new king claimed absolute power in 2002 and dismissed the prime minister and parliament. Parliament was reinstated in 2006 after a lot of uprisings and street protests. Nepal is the world's only Hindu kingdom. Christians are a tiny minority, mostly made up of Evangelical, charismatic, and Independent churches that were established after 1951. There are no WCC member churches based in this country.

(source: In God's Hands)