A - Z Challenge - N is for Nepal

This was a hard one. Have you any idea how many countries start with N? A whole world of them. I was torn, but Nepal is the first country that came to my N mind. I tossed up Nova Scotia as I find it fascinating but I didn't want Talli Roland telling me I got my facts wrong, so here I am. Many of you may have already gone trekking in Nepal, but I never passed through that rite of passage. I haven't climbed Everest either. Do shout out if you have done something off the wall like that!

Facts about Nepal

Capital: Kathmandu

Language: Nepali (official) & 20 other languages divided into numerous dialects. Derived from Sanskrit, Nepali is related to the Indian language, Hindi, and is spoken by about 90 percent of the population in either native or second language fluency. Many Nepalese in government and business also speak English.

National Calendar: The Nepali year begins in mid-April and is divided into 12 months: Baisakh, Jestha, Asadh, Shrawan, Bhadra, Aswin, Kartik, Marga, Poush, Phalgun, Chaitra. Saturday is the official weekly holiday.

Unification Day: 1768 (by Prithvi Narayan Shah - First King)

Constitution Birth: November 9, 1990

National Anthem: "May Glory Crown Our Illustrious Sovereign"

National Motto: "The Motherland Is Worth More than the Kingdom of Heaven."

National Bird: Danphe

Land:

Area Total: 140,800 km2, Area Land: 136,800 km2

Land use: arable land: 17% permanent pastures: 15%, forests and woodland: 42%.

Geography: landlocked; strategic location between India and Chinese-occupied Tibet; extremely diverse terrain ranging from fertile plains and broad valleys to containing eight of the world's ten highest peaks.

Climate: Nepal has a climate that ranges from subtropical summers with mild winters in the southern lowlands to an alpine climate with cool summers as well as severe winters in the mountains. Average annual precipitation decreases from 1,778 mm (70 inches) in the east to 899 mm (35 inches) in the west.

People:

Ethnic Groups: Among the earliest inhabitants were the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley and aboriginal Tharus in the southern Terai region. The Indo-Nepalese migrated from India and are ancestors of the Brahman and Chetri caste groups, which account for nearly 80% of the population. The Tibeto-Nepalese account for the remainder and trace their origins to central Asia and Tibet, including the Gurungs, Magars and Tamang in the west, Rais and Limbus in the east, and Sherpas and Bhotias in the north.

Religion: 90% Hindu (official state religion) 5% Buddhist, 3% Muslim, 2% Other (Christian, indigenous & animistic practices) While Nepal is the only Hindu country in the world, Hinduism has synthesized with Buddhism in Nepal. As a result, Buddhist and Hindu shrines and festivals are respected and celebrated by all.

Population: 23,200,000 (2001 census)

Distribution: 15% Urban, 85% Rural (2001 census)

Refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 100.000 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in 7 United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps.

Issues: Illegal trafficking in women is one of the biggest issues facing Nepal today. Lured by promises of employment in big Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbia and Kolkatta, large numbers of Nepali young girls are smuggled by flesh traders and forced into prostitution. The flesh trade is made simpler due to the open border ensuring free movement of people. Nepali NGOs estimate that hundreds of thousands of Nepali women, mostly teenagers are forced to work in brothels in India. The United Nations has expressed concern over the growing trafficking and urged the Nepali and Indian authorities to initiate action to curb this trade.

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with nearly half of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 80% of the population and accounting for 40% of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco and grain. Production of textiles and carpets has expanded recently and accounted for about 80% of foreign exchange earnings in the past three years. Apart from agricultural land and forests, exploitable natural resources are mica, hydropower and tourism. Agricultural production is growing by about five percent on average as compared with annual population growth of 2.5%. Since May 1991, the government has been moving forward with economic reforms particularly those that encourage trade and foreign investment.

The government has also been cutting expenditures by reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries and laying off civil servants. More recently, however, political instability—five different governments over the past few years—has hampered Kathmandu’s ability to forge consensus to implement key economic reforms. Nepal has considerable scope for accelerating economic growth by exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade or investment in other sectors remain poor due to the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, its landlocked geographic location, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. The international community funds more than 60% of the development budget and more than 28% of total budgetary expenditures. Remittances from Nepalese working abroad, nearly $1 billion in 1997, continue to be a significant source of foreign exchange.

Economic Performance: Nepal experienced positive upswings in most economic sectors during the past fiscal year of 1999/2000, growth of just under 11%, and projected to achieve a growth rate of six% in 2000/01. Much of this growth was spawned by the growth in the agriculture sector. Inflation declined in the first half of 1999/2000 reaching 2% in Dec 2000 as food prices stabilized.

The agriculture sector in Nepal contributes 41% of the GDP and employs an estimated 81.2% of labor. The primary food crops produced are barley, coconuts, coffee, maize, potatoes, rice, soybeans, sugar cane and wheat. The primary meat products are beef and veal, buffalo, chicken, duck, lamb and pork. The largest agricultural exports in 1998 were sugar cane, lentils, pulses, oilseed and nutmeg, mace and cardamon. Agricultural exports in 1998 was $72.2 million, while agricultural imports in 1998 was $156.5

Swift rivers flowing south through the Himalayas have massive hydroelectricity potential to service domestic needs and the growing demand from India. Hydropower exports are one of the major domestic resources which can fuel economic growth in Nepal, but development of these resources requires significant capital investment.  Hydro projects currently under construction in Nepal should nearly double the country's total generating capacity over the next two years.

Environment: Nepal's environmental challenges are largely a consequence of its dependence on fuel derived from wood, and the expansion of agricultural lands through non-sustainable development methods. This includes removing trees without measures for replanting, which results in widespread deforestation and soil erosion. Water pollution and contaminated water also presents human health risks.

Head of Government: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba

Cabinet: appointed by the king on the recommendation of the PM

Sources: CountryWatch, BBC, IMF

A - Z Challenge - M is for Morocco

This is the post where I get to say, "Take me to the casbah!" Well, I had no choice but to do Morocco, as I'm going there on my next overseas jaunt in June/July. I hit Casablanca on July 1, so look out. It's going to be awesome. First time to Africa (and it has nothing to do with Sex and the City, although that market scene set in Fez was pretty fantastic.)

So you may as well see what I've gleaned from my research. My pics will come when I return. For those interested, I'm flying to Paris, TGVing to Bordeaux, driving around the Dordogne (France) into Andorra, up to San Sebastien in Spain, then back to Bordeaus to fly to Casablanca. Return to Paris and a week walking around Paris in case I've missed something, then home again.

One of my favourite travel narratives is 'A Year in the World' by Frances Mayes of 'Under the Tuscan Sun' fame. I followed her to Tuscany, followed her through parts of France and Spain, now I'm following her to Fez. Her chapter on Inside the Color Spectrum - Fez is full of exotic descriptions, but unfortunately Ed, her husband, becomes violently ill after eating a home-cooked meal lovingly described by Mayes - "Fatima...sweltering in her heavy pink djellaba...improvises a kitchen on the roof, drawing a bucket of water...for rinsing...spreading an oilcloth for her work surface." Strangely, Mayes herself remains chipper after the meal and spends most of her visit to Morocco discovering the sites sans poor Ed.

Location:

Morocco is in Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and the Western Sahara.

Land Boundaries:
Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, and Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km.

I remember the Moroccan influences in Spanish buildings when I visited the Costa del Sol in 2004. I gazed wistfully across the Mediterranean. Couldn't quite see Africa, but it was calling me.

The Costa del Sol, Spain. Africa is just across the sea.

For centuries, Morocco has enticed travellers and I've heard it calling for some time now. To me, it means the souks and spice odours of Marrakech and Fez and the sea breezes of wonderful cities like Casablanca, Asilah, and Rabat. Both remote and familiar. From the pictures I've seen the architecture is amazing, rising from the desert. I'm expecting Morocco to be sensory overload at its most intoxicating, from the scents and sounds that permeate the medinas of Fez and Marrakesh to the astonishing sights of the landscape; the Rif and High Atlas. Can't wait to see the mystical Sahara Desert. Oh wow!

Isn't this the shot of Morocco we feel encapsulates this country?

A good mix of medieval and modern society.

A quick snapshot of some facts and figures:

Geography:

Size 446,550 sq km, slightly larger than California, US. Morocco enjoys a Mediterranean climate, becoming more extreme in the interior. The northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus. The rest of the country consists of inter-montane valleys, and rich coastal plains. Its lowest point is at Sebkha Tah -55 m; its highest point is Jbel Toubkal 4,165 m in the High Atlas mountains.

Population:

Just over 32 million people live in Morocco. Life expectancy is around 70 years. Birth rate is on average 2.8 per woman. Literacy rate is 64% for males and 39% for females. A way to go here.

Languages:

Arabic (official), Berber dialects, and French which is often the language of business, government, and diplomacy. If I get lost I should be able to talk my way home.

Ethnic Groups:

Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%.

Religion:

Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%.

Brief Political History:

Morocco's long struggle for independence from France ended in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier (I'm not going there) was turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Oh, please, no reforms while I'm over there! Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997. Parliamentary elections were held for the second time in September 2002 and municipal elections were held in September 2003. So it's still pretty new.

Economic Overview:

Morocco faces the problems typical of developing countries - restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and achieving sustainable economic growth. Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible for current account transactions. Reforms of the financial sector are being contemplated. Droughts depressed activity in the key agricultural sector and contributed to a stagnant economy in 2002. Morocco reported large foreign exchange inflows from the sale of a mobile telephone license, and partial privatization of the state-owned telecommunications company and the state tobacco company. Favorable rainfall in 2003 led to a growth of 6%. Formidable long-term challenges include: preparing the economy for freer trade with the EU and US, improving education, and attracting foreign investment to boost living standards and job prospects for Morocco's youth.

Source: CIA World Factbook

This post is longer than most have been. You can see I've been doing my homework.

A - Z Challenge - L is for Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne (Luzerne)

I visited this glorious city in 2008. I'll never forget its beauty and grandeur. It is the geographical heart of Switzerland, more poetically described by Alexandre Dumas as "a pearl in the world's most beautiful oyster." Lucerne is an undeniably magical city. A medieval but still modern town nestled in a uniquely beautiful landscape - that is Lucerne, the city of lights. It's striking profile faces the world-famous Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) surrounded by the impressive panorama of the Alps.

Lucerne was a fishing village in the Middle Ages but the modest settlement soon became an important trading center after the St. Gotthard pass was opened and goods were transferred from ship to land transportation. The city was founded in 1178. Driving through the Gotthard Pass was to me a huge thrill. I so admire how these tunnels are bored through the mountains so we can zip through in any weather. So thoughtful.

Dotted throughout with many Renaissance and Baroque fountains, colorful paintings on the gables and commanded by the two exquisite wooden bridges, the Mill Bridge (Spreuerbrücke) and the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) with the 13th century octagonal Water Tower (Wasserturm), Lucerne's character is pure charm. This is not just tourist-speak. It is magical.

The heritage of this historic locale and of Switzerland itself is palpable in every landmark. The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) is a fine example of a Renaissance building whilst the City Wall (Museggmauer), built between 1350 and 1408 stands proud above the city.

A stroll along the quay takes the visitor past the modern Culture and Convention Center, the KKL and onto the largest and most important Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus) in Europe, including a filmtheatre and the only Planetarium in Switzerland.

The famous Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal) bears witness to the old tradition in Lucerne of mercenary soldiers. The nearby Glacier Garden, a geological phenomenon left over from the Ice Age with giant glacial potholes is a proof that Lucerne was once covered by glaciers.

This is the hotel where the sunbakers were out in their hundreds. I climbed to the highest point then rang my children from on top of the world (or it felt like it.)

Spectacular views and sights abound from almost every vantage point in and around Lucerne. Mt. Pilatus has the world's steepest cogwheel railway which wasn't running when I visited in winter. I took the chairlift. It was magical leaving frozen Lucerne with the smell of roasting chesnuts, to climb above the fog through the forest, then to arrive at the top of the mountain to find hot sun and people sunbathing. For just a moment I could forget the snow an imagine I was on a beach in Australia - just kidding! Wow! It was magical meandering through the tunnels they've bored through the peak which gave views over Lake Lucerne and beyond.

There's also Mt. Rigi, the Queen of the mountains, with Europe's oldest cogwheel railway, Mt. Titlis, the highest peak of Central Switzerland, covered with eternal ice and snow all year round and Mt. Stanserhorn with its revolving restaurant offer spectacular views over one of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth.

A paddle steamer ride around Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) takes in the majesty and scenery of this beautiful area. A short drive will take you to the nearby winter resorts and many more lakes. This is the alpine range in central Switzerland where you will find glaciers, lush forests, verdant valleys and so much more. What a gorgeous destination. Even though it was so freezing during my stay I'm glad I saw it in its pristine sparkling white coat.

This is the Hotel Guetsch where I stayed. (Just kidding, but my digs weren't half bad.)

I hope you enjoyed my tour around Lucerne. A lovely place to visit. I hope to go again. Crunch! Crunch! Oh those chesnuts!

A - Z Challenge - K is for Kangaroo Island

It's time I took you back to Australia. Let's take a trip to Kangaroo Island, off Adelaide in South Australia. Every season it changes. What season would you like to visit?

While some things never change - friendly people, cool breezes, uncrowded beaches and geological wonders - each season brings new life and spectacular changes in landscape colours of Kangaroo Island.

No matter what season you visit, you'll see kangaroos

Summer: December - February

As the summer approaches, wildlife retreat to bushland habitat to shelter during the heat of the day. The land is a contrast of golden pastures against summer wild flowers and the new growth of native trees.

•Kangaroos and Tammar wallabies are seen predominantly at dawn and dusk.

•Little penguins moult all their feathers at the end of the breeding season and can lose up to half their body weight.

•New Zealand Fur seals give birth to chocolate-brown pups.

•The Australian Sea-lion breeding season begins with pups born from January to June 2006.

•Heath goannas lay 10-17 eggs in the warm, stable, humid atmosphere of termite mounds, the perfect incubator.

•Koalas, wallabies and kangaroos give birth to tiny young, which are naked and blind.

Autumn: March - May

Pastures begin to green and waterways and catchments begin to flow. Autumn is a time of transition, with some rainfall gradually providing the wildlife with fresh growth to feed on.

•Glossy Black cockatoos and Little Penguins begin nesting.

•Black swans begin their courtship behaviour of wing-raising, neck-stretching and loud trumpeting.

•Fungi start to appear on damp ground and rotting wood.

Winter: June - August

Winter is spectacular with lush green countryside, flowing rivers and abundant wildlife: it's Kangaroo Island at its most appealing. Land mammals, predominantly night, dawn and dusk feeders for most of the year, frequently come out by day.

•Koalas emerge from the mother's pouch and begin to ride on her back.

•Kangaroo and wallaby joeys start to emerge from the mother's pouch and feed by her side.

•Echidnas form 'mating trains' where up to eight males will follow a female for around four weeks.

•Waders, on their migration from Siberia, begin to arrive.

•Ospreys show off to their mates in spectacular courtship fights.

•Southern right whales pass the shores on their migration from Antarctic waters to the Great Australian Bight to calve.

Spring: September - November

Spring is the season of rebirth. It is a wonderful time to see the spectacular array of wild flowers, birds and mammals.

•Wildflowers are in abundance. There are approximately 40 endemic floral species found on Kangaroo Island.

•Eucalyptus oil is in peak production. One tonne of leaf can produce up to 30 litres of oil.

•Cape Barren geese nest on top of the native iris grasses to incubate their eggs.

•Platypuses lay two eggs in a burrow up to 20 metres long.

Isn't this a beautiful place! The government has just stopped commercial fishing on the island in their effort to keep it pristine. I'm not sure if that's fair to the fishermen as they have been very careful of the environment.