proper noun

• A mountainous landlocked country in southern Asia, in the Himalayas (and including Mount Everest); population 28,500,000 (estimated 2015); official language, Nepali; capital, Kathmandu.

The country was conquered by the Gurkhas in the 18th century and has maintained its independence despite border defeats by the British in the 19th century. It was for a long time an absolute monarchy, but in 1990 democratic elections were held under a new constitution. In 2001 the Crown Prince killed ten members of the royal family and took his own life. Nepal became a federal democratic republic in 2008