HISTORY AND CURRENT EVENTS

  

• 1768 principalities unite to form the Kingdom of Nepal  
  Feudal system prevails

• Closed country until 1950s 
  People protest for democracy

• 1990 constitution

• 1996 Maoist insurgency begins

• 2001 Royal family massacre (10 family members die)

• 2002 Parliament dissolved 

• February 2005 King’s coup with King assuming absolute power  
  Civil liberties withheld 

• April 2006 People's Movement for democracy  
  King removed from power
  Last elected Parliament restored
  Peace fragile with the final outcome still undetermined

• Currently Nepal is ravaged by drought and floods
  Drought: 10% arable land barren
  Food shortage estimated at 350,000 tons