Draped along the greatest heights of the Himalaya, Nepal is a land of sublime scenery, time-worn temples, and some of the best walking trails on earth. It's a poor country, but it is rich in scenic splendour and cultural treasures. The kingdom has long exerted a pull on the Western imagination.

It's the kind of country that lingers in your dreams long after you leave it. This is why so many travellers are drawn back to Nepal, armed the second time round with a greater appreciation of its natural and cultural complexity, a stout pair of walking boots and a desire for sculpted calf muscles.

Warning
The unstable political situation poses a potential threat to travellers, particularly trekkers venturing into the remote regions of Nepal. Maoist rebels are waging a long-term campaign against the Nepalese monarchy that intensified following the breakdown of a ceasefire lasting most of 2003.

A Maoist 'people's war' was declared in 1996 in response to government corruption. A ceasefire temporarily halted hostilities, but negotiations faltered and on August 27, 2003, the ceasefire was called off. Bombings, including several on the same day, have hit Kathmandu and the surrounding valley.

There's an unofficial curfew in Kathmandu, including Thamel, and an increasing amount of official curfews, often declared at short notice, in towns throughout the Kathmandu valley. Army and police checkpoints can slow travel, and there are reports that rebels threatening violence - and bandits posing as rebels using actual violence - are sporadically targeting travellers for revenue-raising purposes. The districts of Banke, Dang, Syangja, Surkhet, Rukum, Kalikot, Jajarkot, Rolpa, Salyan and Gorkha are considered especially dangerous.

Full country name: Kingdom of Nepal
Area: 140,800 sq km
Population: 26.46 million
People: Newars, Thakalis, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas, Bahuns, Chhetris, Tharus.
Languge: Nepali, English
Religion: 90% Hindu, 5% Buddhist, 3% Muslim, 2% other
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Head of State: King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Deva
Head of Government: Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa

GDP: US$27.4 billion
GDP per capita: US$1,100
Annual Growth: 6%
Inflation: 2.1%
Major Industries: Tourism, carpet, textile, small rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, cement and brick production, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, water buffalo meat
Major Trading Partners: India, US, Germany, UK, Singapore, Japan