Topic: Photos of Nepal

Topic: Introduction
Background: During the late 18th-early 19th centuries, the principality of Gorkha united many of the other principalities and states of the sub-Himalayan region into a Nepali Kingdom. Nepal retained its independence following the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16 and the subsequent peace treaty laid the foundations for two centuries of amicable relations between Britain and Nepal. (The Brigade of Gurkhas continues to serve in the British Army to the present day.) In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system that brought political parties into the government. That arrangement lasted until 1960, when political parties were again banned, but was reinstated in 1990 with the establishment of a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. An insurgency led by Maoists broke out in 1996. During the ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces, the monarchy dissolved the cabinet and parliament and re-assumed absolute power in 2002, after the crown prince massacred the royal family in 2001. A peace accord in 2006 led to the promulgation of an interim constitution in 2007. Following a nationwide Constituent Assembly (CA) election in 2008, the newly formed CA declared Nepal a federal democratic republic, abolished the monarchy, and elected the country's first president. After the CA failed to draft a constitution by a 2012 deadline set by the Supreme Court, then-Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI dissolved the CA. Months of negotiations ensued until 2013 when the major political parties agreed to create an interim government headed by then-Chief Justice Khil Raj REGMI with a mandate to hold elections for a new CA. Elections were held in 2013, in which the Nepali Congress (NC) won the largest share of seats in the CA and in 2014 formed a coalition government with the second-place Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) with NC President Sushil KOIRALA serving as prime minister. Nepal's new constitution came into effect in 2015, at which point the CA became the Parliament. Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI served as the first post-constitution prime minister from 2015 to 2016. OLI resigned ahead of a no-confidence motion against him, and Parliament elected Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) leader Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (aka "Prachanda") prime minister. The constitution provided for a transitional period during which three sets of elections – local, provincial, and national – needed to take place. The first local elections in 20 years occurred in three phases between May and September 2017, and state and federal elections proceeded in two phases in November and December 2017. The parties headed by OLI and DAHAL ran in coalition and swept the parliamentary elections, and OLI, who led the larger of the two parties, was sworn in as prime minister in February 2018. In May 2018, OLI and DAHAL announced the merger of their parties - the UML and CPN-M - to establish the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), which headed the government for roughly two years before infighting led the party to split. OLI from late 2020 sought to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The supreme court in July 2021 declared OLI's efforts unconstitutional and called for an appointment of the opposition-supported, NC leader Sher Bahadur DEUBA as prime minister.  During the late 18th-early 19th centuries, the principality of Gorkha united many of the other principalities and states of the sub-Himalayan region into a Nepali Kingdom. Nepal retained its independence following the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16 and the subsequent peace treaty laid the foundations for two centuries of amicable relations between Britain and Nepal. (The Brigade of Gurkhas continues to serve in the British Army to the present day.) In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system that brought political parties into the government. That arrangement lasted until 1960, when political parties were again banned, but was reinstated in 1990 with the establishment of a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy.An insurgency led by Maoists broke out in 1996. During the ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces, the monarchy dissolved the cabinet and parliament and re-assumed absolute power in 2002, after the crown prince massacred the royal family in 2001. A peace accord in 2006 led to the promulgation of an interim constitution in 2007. Following a nationwide Constituent Assembly (CA) election in 2008, the newly formed CA declared Nepal a federal democratic republic, abolished the monarchy, and elected the country's first president. After the CA failed to draft a constitution by a 2012 deadline set by the Supreme Court, then-Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI dissolved the CA. Months of negotiations ensued until 2013 when the major political parties agreed to create an interim government headed by then-Chief Justice Khil Raj REGMI with a mandate to hold elections for a new CA. Elections were held in 2013, in which the Nepali Congress (NC) won the largest share of seats in the CA and in 2014 formed a coalition government with the second-place Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) with NC President Sushil KOIRALA serving as prime minister. Nepal's new constitution came into effect in 2015, at which point the CA became the Parliament. Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI served as the first post-constitution prime minister from 2015 to 2016. OLI resigned ahead of a no-confidence motion against him, and Parliament elected Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) leader Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (aka "Prachanda") prime minister. The constitution provided for a transitional period during which three sets of elections – local, provincial, and national – needed to take place. The first local elections in 20 years occurred in three phases between May and September 2017, and state and federal elections proceeded in two phases in November and December 2017. The parties headed by OLI and DAHAL ran in coalition and swept the parliamentary elections, and OLI, who led the larger of the two parties, was sworn in as prime minister in February 2018. In May 2018, OLI and DAHAL announced the merger of their parties - the UML and CPN-M - to establish the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), which headed the government for roughly two years before infighting led the party to split. OLI from late 2020 sought to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The supreme court in July 2021 declared OLI's efforts unconstitutional and called for an appointment of the opposition-supported, NC leader Sher Bahadur DEUBA as prime minister. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 147,181 sq km

land: 143,351 sq km

water: 3,830 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than New York state
Land boundaries: total: 3,159 km

border countries (2): China 1,389 km; India 1,770 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Terrain: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south; central hill region with rugged Himalayas in north
Elevation: highest point: Mount Everest (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level) 8,849 m

lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m

mean elevation: 2,565 m
Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use: agricultural land: 28.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 15.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 12.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 25.4% (2018 est.)

other: 45.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 13,320 sq km (2012)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km)
Major aquifers: Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin
Population distribution: most of the population is divided nearly equally between a concentration in the southern-most plains of the Tarai region and the central hilly region; overall density is quite low
Natural hazards: severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest mountains - on the borders with China and India respectively
Map description: Nepal map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries – China to the north, India to the south.Nepal map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries – China to the north, India to the south.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 30,666,598 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nepali (singular and plural)

adjective: Nepali
Ethnic groups: Chhettri 16.6%, Brahman-Hill 12.2%, Magar 7.1%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.8%, Newar 5%, Kami 4.8%, Muslim 4.4%, Yadav 4%, Rai 2.3%, Gurung 2%, Damai/Dholii 1.8%, Thakuri 1.6%, Limbu 1.5%, Sarki 1.4%, Teli 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.3%, Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2%, other 19% (2011 est.)

note: 125 caste/ethnic groups were reported in the 2011 national census
Languages: Nepali (official) 44.6%, Maithali 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Bajjika 3%, Magar 3%, Doteli 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, Baitadeli 1%, other 6.4%, unspecified 0.2%; note - 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2011 national census; many in government and business also speak English (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
विश्व तथ्य पुस्तक,आधारभूत जानकारीको लागि अपरिहार्य स्रोत (Nepali)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Hindu 81.3%, Buddhist 9%, Muslim 4.4%, Kirant 3.1%, Christian 1.4%, other 0.5%, unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.36% (male 4,526,786/female 4,073,642)

15-24 years: 20.93% (male 3,276,431/female 3,070,843)

25-54 years: 38.38% (male 5,251,553/female 6,387,365)

55-64 years: 6.64% (male 954,836/female 1,059,360)

65 years and over: 5.69% (2020 est.) (male 852,969/female 874,092)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53

youth dependency ratio: 44.1

elderly dependency ratio: 8.9

potential support ratio: 11.2 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 25.3 years

male: 23.9 years

female: 26.9 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.78% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 17.53 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.58 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is divided nearly equally between a concentration in the southern-most plains of the Tarai region and the central hilly region; overall density is quite low
Urbanization: urban population: 21.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.521 million KATHMANDU (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.4 years (2016 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 186 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 25.13 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.47 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 23.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.4 years

male: 71.66 years

female: 73.17 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 46.7% (2019)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 92.7% of population

rural: 94.4% of population

total: 94.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 7.3% of population

rural: 5.6% of population

total: 5.9% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.5% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.85 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 0.3 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 95.1% of population

rural: 85.7% of population

total: 87.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 4.9% of population

rural: 14.3% of population

total: 12.3% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 30,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <1000
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 4.1% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 30.4% (2020 est.)

male: 47.9% (2020 est.)

female: 12.8% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 24.4% (2019)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 7.9%

women married by age 18: 32.8%

men married by age 18: 9% (2019 est.)
Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2018)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 67.9%

male: 78.6%

female: 59.7% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years

male: 13 years

female: 13 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.4%

male: 19.7%

female: 23.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); forest degradation; soil erosion; contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); unmanaged solid-waste; wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 94.33 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 9.11 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 41.15 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Land use: agricultural land: 28.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 15.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 12.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 25.4% (2018 est.)

other: 45.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 21.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.45% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,768,977 tons (2016 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km)
Major aquifers: Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 147.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 29.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 9.32 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 210.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Nepal

local long form: none

local short form: Nepal

etymology: the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas apparently gave their name to the country; the terms "Nepal," "Newar," "Nepar," and "Newal" are phonetically different forms of the same word
Government type: federal parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Kathmandu

geographic coordinates: 27 43 N, 85 19 E

time difference: UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: name derives from the Kasthamandap temple that stood in Durbar Square; in Sanskrit, "kastha" means "wood" and "mandapa" means "pavilion"; the three-story structure was made entirely of wood, without iron nails or supports, and dated to the late 16th century; it collapsed during a 2015 earthquake
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (pradesh, singular - pradesh); Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Lumbini, Province No. One, Province No. Two, Sudurpashchim
Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 20 September (2015); note - marks the promulgation of Nepal’s constitution in 2015 and replaces the previous 28 May Republic Day as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian day fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar
Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by the Second Constituent Assembly 16 September 2015, signed by the president and effective 20 September 2015

amendments: proposed as a bill by either house of the Federal Parliament; bills affecting a state border or powers delegated to a state must be submitted to the affected state assembly; passage of such bills requires a majority vote of that state assembly membership; bills not requiring state assembly consent require at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of the Federal Parliament; parts of the constitution on the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty vested in the people cannot be amended; amended 2016, 2020
Legal system: English common law and Hindu legal concepts; note - new criminal and civil codes came into effect on 17 August 2018
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (since 29 October 2015); Vice President Nanda Bahadar PUN (since 31 October 2015)

head of government: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur DEUBA (since 13 July 2021); deputy prime ministers Ishwar POKHREL, Upendra YADAV (since 1 June 2018) (an)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; cabinet dominated by the Nepal Communist Party

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college of the Federal Parliament and of the state assemblies for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 13 March 2018 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister indirectly elected by the Federal Parliament

election results: Bidhya Devi BHANDARI reelected president; electoral vote - Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (CPN-UML) 39,275, Kumari Laxmi RAI (NC) 11,730
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of:
National Assembly (59 seats; 56 members, including at least 3 women, 1 Dalit, 1 member with disabilities, or 1 minority indirectly elected by an electoral college of state and municipal government leaders, and 3 members, including 1 woman, nominated by the president of Nepal on the recommendation of the government; members serve 6-year terms with renewal of one-third of the membership every 2 years)
House of Representatives (275 seats; 165 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a threshold of 3% overall valid vote to be allocated a seat; members serve 5-year terms); note - the House of Representatives was dissolved on 22 May 2021, but on 13 July, the Supreme Court directed its reinstatement

elections:
first election for the National Assembly held on 7 February 2018 (next to be held in 2024)
first election for House of Representatives held on 26 November and 7 December 2017 (next scheduled for 12, 19 November 2021)

election results:
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NCP 42, NC 13, FSFN 2, RJPN 2; composition - men 37, women 22, percent of women 37.3%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NCP 174, NC 63, RJPN 17, FSFN 16, other 4, independent 1; composition - men 185, women 90, percent of women 32.7%; note - total Federal Parliament percent of women 33.5%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and up to 20 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, a 5-member, high-level advisory body headed by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the Judicial Council, a 5-member advisory body headed by the chief justice; the chief justice serves a 6-year term; judges serve until age 65

subordinate courts: High Court; district courts
Political parties and leaders: the Election Commission of Nepal granted ballot access under the proportional system to 88 political parties for the November-December 2017 House of Representatives election to the Federal Parliament; of these, the following 8 parties won seats:
Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal or FSFN [Upendra YADAV]
Naya Shakti Party, Nepal [Baburam BHATTARAI]
Nepal Communist Party or NCP [Khadga Prasad OLI, Pushpa Kamal DAHAL]
Nepali Congress or NC [Sher Bahadur DEUBA]
Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE]
Rastriya Janamorcha [Chitra Bahadur K.C.]
Rastriya Janata Party or RJPN [Mahanta THAKUR]
Rastriya Prajatantra party or RPP [Kamal THAPA]the Election Commission of Nepal granted ballot access under the proportional system to 88 political parties for the November-December 2017 House of Representatives election to the Federal Parliament; of these, the following 8 parties won seats:
Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal or FSFN [Upendra YADAV]
Naya Shakti Party, Nepal [Baburam BHATTARAI]
Nepal Communist Party or NCP [Khadga Prasad OLI, Pushpa Kamal DAHAL]
Nepali Congress or NC [Sher Bahadur DEUBA]
Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE]
Rastriya Janamorcha [Chitra Bahadur K.C.]
Rastriya Janata Party or RJPN [Mahanta THAKUR]
Rastriya Prajatantra party or RPP [Kamal THAPA]
International organization participation: ADB, BIMSTEC, CD, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sridhar KHATRI (since 19 April 2022)

chancery: 2730 34th Place NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550

FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534

email address and website:
info@nepalembassyusa.org

https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/

consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Randy BERRY (since 25 October 2018)

embassy: Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

mailing address: 6190 Kathmandu Place, Washington DC  20521-6190

telephone: [977] (1) 423-4000

FAX: [977] (1) 400-7272

email address and website:
usembktm@state.gov

https://np.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: crimson red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle displays a white 12-pointed sun; the color red represents the rhododendron (Nepal's national flower) and is a sign of victory and bravery, the blue border signifies peace and harmony; the two right triangles are a combination of two single pennons (pennants) that originally symbolized the Himalaya Mountains while their charges represented the families of the king (upper) and the prime minister, but today they are understood to denote Hinduism and Buddhism, the country's two main religions; the moon represents the serenity of the Nepalese people and the shade and cool weather in the Himalayas, while the sun depicts the heat and higher temperatures of the lower parts of Nepal; the moon and the sun are also said to express the hope that the nation will endure as long as these heavenly bodies

note: Nepal is the only country in the world whose flag is not rectangular or square
National symbol(s): rhododendron blossom; national color: red
National anthem: name: "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers)

lyrics/music: Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG

note: adopted 2007; after the abolition of the monarchy in 2006, a new anthem was required because of the previous anthem's praise for the king
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 4 (2 cultural, 2 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Kathmandu Valley (c); Sagarmatha National Park (n); Chitwan National Park (n); Lumbini, Buddha Birthplace (c)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Nepal is among the least developed countries in the world, with about one-quarter of its population living below the poverty line. Nepal is heavily dependent on remittances, which amount to as much as 30% of GDP. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for almost two-thirds of the population but accounting for less than a third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain.   Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower, with an estimated 42,000 MW of commercially feasible capacity. Nepal has signed trade and investment agreements with India, China, and other countries, but political uncertainty and a difficult business climate have hampered foreign investment. The United States and Nepal signed a $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in September 2017 which will expand Nepal’s electricity infrastructure and help maintain transportation infrastructure.   Massive earthquakes struck Nepal in early 2015, which damaged or destroyed infrastructure and homes and set back economic development. Although political gridlock and lack of capacity have hindered post-earthquake recovery, government-led reconstruction efforts have progressively picked up speed, although many hard hit areas still have seen little assistance. Additional challenges to Nepal's growth include its landlocked geographic location, inconsistent electricity supply, and underdeveloped transportation infrastructure.Nepal is among the least developed countries in the world, with about one-quarter of its population living below the poverty line. Nepal is heavily dependent on remittances, which amount to as much as 30% of GDP. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for almost two-thirds of the population but accounting for less than a third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower, with an estimated 42,000 MW of commercially feasible capacity. Nepal has signed trade and investment agreements with India, China, and other countries, but political uncertainty and a difficult business climate have hampered foreign investment. The United States and Nepal signed a $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in September 2017 which will expand Nepal’s electricity infrastructure and help maintain transportation infrastructure. Massive earthquakes struck Nepal in early 2015, which damaged or destroyed infrastructure and homes and set back economic development. Although political gridlock and lack of capacity have hindered post-earthquake recovery, government-led reconstruction efforts have progressively picked up speed, although many hard hit areas still have seen little assistance. Additional challenges to Nepal's growth include its landlocked geographic location, inconsistent electricity supply, and underdeveloped transportation infrastructure.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $110.72 billion (2020 est.)

$113.08 billion (2019 est.)

$106.03 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 7.9% (2017 est.)

0.6% (2016 est.)

3.3% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $3,800 (2020 est.)

$4,000 (2019 est.)

$3,800 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $24.88 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (2017 est.)

9.9% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 27% (2017 est.)

industry: 13.5% (2017 est.)

services: 59.5% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 78% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 11.7% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 33.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 8.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 9.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -42% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: rice, vegetables, sugar cane, potatoes, maize, wheat, buffalo milk, milk, fruit, mangoes/guavas
Industries: tourism, carpets, textiles; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production
Industrial production growth rate: 12.4% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 16.81 million (2017 est.)

note: severe lack of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 69%

industry: 12%

services: 19% (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3% (2017 est.)

3.2% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.4%

male: 19.7%

female: 23.9% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line: 25.2% (2011 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 32.8 (2010 est.)

47.2 (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 29.5% (2011)
Budget: revenues: 5.925 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 5.945 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 26.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

27.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 23.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July
Current account balance: -$93 million (2017 est.)

$1.339 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $1.79 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$2.73 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$2.68 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: India 68%, United States 10% (2019)
Exports - commodities: palm oil, clothing and apparel, carpets, soybean oil, flavored water (2019)
Imports: $10.68 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$13.83 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$14.65 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: India 70%, China 15% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, iron, broadcasting equipment, natural gas, rice (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $9.091 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$8.506 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $5.849 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$4.321 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar -

104 (2017 est.)

107.38 (2016 est.)

107.38 (2015 est.)

102.41 (2014 est.)

99.53 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 93% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 94% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019)
Electricity - production: 4.244 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 4.983 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 2.69 million kWh (FY 2017 est.)
Electricity - imports: 2.175 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 943,100 kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 5% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 92% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 3% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 27,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 26,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 726,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 38.213 million (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 131 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: poverty, inconsistent electricity, and mountainous topography stymie development of telecom infrastructure; mobile market is developed and has been extended to all districts covering 90% of Nepal; fixed broadband is low due to limited number of fixed-lines and preeminence of the mobile platform; increasing 3G and 4G subscribers; fiber-optic networks developing under private and public funding to meet demand for Internet; government supports digital society, whereby 90% of the population will have access to broadband and free Internet access for students; plans to launch a Nepalese satellite by 2022; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2020)

domestic: 3G coverage is available in 20 major cities (2019); disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions; fixed-line less than 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular nearly 131 per 100 persons; fair radiotelephone communication service; 20% of the market share is fixed (wired) broadband, 2% is fixed (wireless) broadband, and 78% is mobile broadband (2019)

international: country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: state operates 3 TV stations, as well as national and regional radio stations; 117 television channels are licensed, among those 71 are cable television channels, three are distributed through Direct-To-Home (DTH) system, and four are digital terrestrial; 736 FM radio stations are licensed and at least 314 of those radio stations are community radio stations (2019)
Internet country code: .np
Internet users: total: 11,071,987 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 38% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1.27 million (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 39

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,296,953 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4.66 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9N
Airports: total: 47 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 11

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 29 (2021)
Railways: total: 59 km (2018)

narrow gauge: 59 km (2018) 0.762-m gauge
Roadways: total: 27,990 km (2016)

paved: 11,890 km (2016)

unpaved: 16,100 km (2016)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Nepal Army (includes Air Wing); Nepal Armed Police Force (paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for border and internal security, including counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, and assisting the Army in the event of an external invasion) (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

2.1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $1.1 billion)

2.3% of GDP (2018) (approximately $1.11 billion)

2.6% of GDP (2017) (approximately $1.12 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 95,000 active troops (including a small air wing of about 500 personnel) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Army's inventory includes a mix of older equipment largely of British, Chinese, Indian, Russian, and South African origin; since 2010, Nepal has received limited amounts of newer hardware from several countries, including China, Italy, and Russia (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (including women); no conscription (2022)

note - as of 2020, women comprised about 5% of the active duty military
Military deployments: 750 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,140 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 400 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 230 Liberia (UNSMIL); 175 Mali (MINUSMA); 1,625 South Sudan (UNMISS) (Feb 2022)
Military - note: Nepal became a member of the UN in 1955 and has been an active participant in UN peacekeeping operations since, sending its first military observers to a UN peacekeeping mission in 1958 and its first peacekeeping military contingent to Egypt in 1974 the British began to recruit Nepalese citizens (Gurkhas) into the East India Company Army during the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816); the Gurkhas subsequently were brought into the British Indian Army and by 1914, there were 10 Gurkha regiments, collectively known as the Gurkha Brigade; following the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India, and Great Britain allowed for the transfer of the 10 regiments from the British Indian Army to the separate British and Indian armies; four regiments were transferred to the British Army, where they have since served continuously as the Brigade of Gurkhas until merged to form the Royal Gurkha Rifles in 1994; six Gurkha (aka Gorkha in India) regiments went to the new Indian Army; a seventh regiment was later added; Gurkhas are also recruited into the Singaporean Police and a special guard in the Sultanate of Brunei known as the Gurkha Reserve Unit (2022)Nepal became a member of the UN in 1955 and has been an active participant in UN peacekeeping operations since, sending its first military observers to a UN peacekeeping mission in 1958 and its first peacekeeping military contingent to Egypt in 1974

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Indian Mujahedeen (2019)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Nepal-China: China may have constructed 11 buildings in Nepal’s Humla region in 2021 Nepal-India: joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of boundary with India, including the 400 sq km dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; the Kalapani issue resurfaced in November 2019 when India issued a new map showing the contested area within India’s borders and then built a new road in the region through Lipulekh pass, an area controlled by India but claimed by Nepal; Nepal countered by amending its constitution and issuing its own map showing the disputed area within its borders; the countries prime ministers briefly discussed the border dispute in April 2022; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of illegal cross-border activitiesNepal-China: China may have constructed 11 buildings in Nepal’s Humla region in 2021Nepal-India: joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of boundary with India, including the 400 sq km dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; the Kalapani issue resurfaced in November 2019 when India issued a new map showing the contested area within India’s borders and then built a new road in the region through Lipulekh pass, an area controlled by India but claimed by Nepal; Nepal countered by amending its constitution and issuing its own map showing the disputed area within its borders; the countries prime ministers briefly discussed the border dispute in April 2022; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of illegal cross-border activities
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 12,540 (Tibet/China), 6,365 (Bhutan) (mid-year 2021)

stateless persons: undetermined (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the Westillicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West


This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type of aircraft capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft.

Topic: Afghanistantotal: 17

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Algeriatotal: 82

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 16

914 to 1,523 m: 36

under 914 m: 28 (2021)

Topic: Angolatotal: 70

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 27

under 914 m: 22 (2021)

Topic: Antarcticatotal: 17

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 4 (2021)

Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Argentinatotal: 977

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 43

914 to 1,523 m: 484

under 914 m: 448 (2021)

Topic: Armeniatotal: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Australiatotal: 131

1,524 to 2,437 m: 16

914 to 1,523 m: 101

under 914 m: 14 (2021)

Topic: Austriatotal: 28

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 24 (2021)

Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 7

under 914 m: 7 (2021)

Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal: 37

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 16

under 914 m: 17 (2021)

Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Belarustotal: 32

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 28 (2021)

Topic: Belgiumtotal: 15

under 914 m: 15 (2021)

Topic: Belizetotal: 41

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 29 (2021)

Topic: Benintotal: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Bhutantotal: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Topic: Boliviatotal: 834

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 47

914 to 1,523 m: 151

under 914 m: 631 (2021)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 17

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 11 (2021)

Topic: Botswanatotal: 64

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 46

under 914 m: 13 (2021)

Topic: Braziltotal: 3,395

1,524 to 2,437 m: 92

914 to 1,523 m: 1,619

under 914 m: 1,684 (2021)

Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Bulgariatotal: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 9 (2021)

Topic: Burkina Fasototal: 21

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 13

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Burmatotal: 28

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 13 (2021)

Topic: Burunditotal: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Cambodiatotal: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Cameroontotal: 22

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 8 (2021)

Topic: Canadatotal: 944

1,524 to 2,437 m: 75

914 to 1,523 m: 385

under 914 m: 484 (2021)

Topic: Cayman Islandstotal: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Topic: Central African Republictotal: 37

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 19

under 914 m: 6 (2021)

Topic: Chadtotal: 50

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 22

under 914 m: 11 (2021)

Topic: Chiletotal: 391

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 56

under 914 m: 319 (2021)

Topic: Chinatotal: 23

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 0

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 13 (2021)

Topic: Colombiatotal: 715

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 25

914 to 1,523 m: 201

under 914 m: 488 (2021)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 172

1,524 to 2,437 m: 20

914 to 1,523 m: 87

under 914 m: 65 (2021)

Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal: 19

1,524 to 2,437 m: 8

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Cook Islandstotal: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 114

914 to 1,523 m: 18

under 914 m: 96 (2021)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 20

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: Croatiatotal: 45

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 38 (2021)

Topic: Cubatotal: 69

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 58 (2021)

Topic: Cyprustotal: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Czechiatotal: 87

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 25

under 914 m: 61 (2021)

Topic: Denmarktotal: 52

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 47 (2021)

Topic: Djiboutitotal: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 20

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 18 (2021)

Topic: Ecuadortotal: 328

914 to 1,523 m: 37

under 914 m: 291 (2021)

Topic: Egypttotal: 11

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: El Salvadortotal: 63

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 51 (2021)

Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Eritreatotal: 9

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Estoniatotal: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: Eswatinitotal: 12

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 7 (2021)

Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 40

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 20

under 914 m: 8 (2021)

Topic: European Uniontotal: 1,244

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 15

914 to 1,523 m: 245

under 914 m: 982 (2013)

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total: 5

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Fijitotal: 24

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 19 (2021)

Topic: Finlandtotal: 74

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 71 (2021)

Topic: Francetotal: 170

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 64

under 914 m: 105 (2021)

Topic: French Polynesiatotal: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Gabontotal: 30

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)

under 914 m: 14 (2021)

Topic: Georgiatotal: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Germanytotal: 221

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 35

under 914 m: 185 (2021)

Topic: Ghanatotal: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: Greecetotal: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 7 (2021)

Topic: Greenlandtotal: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Guamtotal: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Guatemalatotal: 275

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 77

under 914 m: 195 (2021)

Topic: Guineatotal: 12

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: Guyanatotal: 106

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 16

under 914 m: 89 (2021)

Topic: Haititotal: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 8 (2021)

Topic: Hondurastotal: 90

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 16

under 914 m: 73 (2021)

Topic: Hungarytotal: 21

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 11 (2021)

Topic: Icelandtotal: 89

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 26

under 914 m: 60 (2021)

Topic: Indiatotal: 93

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 38

under 914 m: 45 (2021)

Topic: Indonesiatotal: 487

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m: 460 (2021)

Topic: Irantotal: 179

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 135

under 914 m: 32 (2021)

Topic: Iraqtotal: 30

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 13

under 914 m: 6 (2021)

Topic: Irelandtotal: 24

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 21 (2021)

Topic: Israeltotal: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 6 (2021)

Topic: Italytotal: 31

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 20 (2021)

Topic: Jamaicatotal: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 16 (2021)

Topic: Jan Mayentotal: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Japantotal: 33

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 28 (2021)

Topic: Jordantotal: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 33

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 13 (2021)

Topic: Kenyatotal: 181

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 107

under 914 m: 60 (2021)

Topic: Kiribatitotal: 15

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Korea, Northtotal: 43

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 8 (2021)

Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 40

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 38 (2021)

Topic: Kosovototal: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: Kuwaittotal: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 8 (2021)

Topic: Laostotal: 33

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 22 (2021)

Topic: Latviatotal: 24

under 914 m: 24 (2021)

Topic: Lebanontotal: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Lesothototal: 21

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 16 (2021)

Topic: Liberiatotal: 27

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 14 (2021)

Topic: Libyatotal: 78

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 37

under 914 m: 20 (2021)

Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 39

over 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 36 (2021)

Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Madagascartotal: 57

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 38

under 914 m: 18 (2021)

Topic: Malawitotal: 25 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 13 (2021)

Topic: Malaysiatotal: 75

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 69 (2021)

Topic: Maldivestotal: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Malitotal: 17

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Marshall Islandstotal: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 21

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Mauritiustotal: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Mexicototal: 1,471

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 42

914 to 1,523 m: 281

under 914 m: 1,146 (2021)

Topic: Moldovatotal: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Mongoliatotal: 29

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 24

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Moroccototal: 26

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 6 (2021)

Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 77

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 29

under 914 m: 38 (2021)

Topic: Namibiatotal: 93

1,524 to 2,437 m: 25

914 to 1,523 m: 52

under 914 m: 16 (2021)

Topic: Nepaltotal: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 29 (2021)

Topic: Netherlandstotal: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: New Caledoniatotal: 13

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 8 (2021)

Topic: New Zealandtotal: 84

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 33

under 914 m: 48 (2021)

Topic: Nicaraguatotal: 135

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 119 (2021)

Topic: Nigertotal: 20

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Nigeriatotal: 14

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: North Macedoniatotal: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Norwaytotal: 28

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 22 (2021)

Topic: Omantotal: 119

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 51

914 to 1,523 m: 33

under 914 m: 26 (2021)

Topic: Pakistantotal: 43

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 24 (2021)

Topic: Palautotal: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Panamatotal: 60

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 51 (2021)

Topic: Papua New Guineatotal: 540

1,524 to 2,437 m: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 53

under 914 m: 476 (2021)

Topic: Paraguaytotal: 784

1,524 to 2,437 m: 23

914 to 1,523 m: 290

under 914 m: 471 (2021)

Topic: Perutotal: 132

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 19

914 to 1,523 m: 30

under 914 m: 82 (2021)

Topic: Philippinestotal: 158

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 56

under 914 m: 99 (2021)

Topic: Polandtotal: 39

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 17

under 914 m: 21 (2021)

Topic: Portugaltotal: 21

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 20 (2021)

Topic: Puerto Ricototal: 12

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 10 (2021)

Topic: Qatartotal: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Romaniatotal: 19

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 14 (2021)

Topic: Russiatotal: 624

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 13

1,524 to 2,437 m: 69

914 to 1,523 m: 81

under 914 m: 457 (2021)

Topic: Rwandatotal: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Samoatotal: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 132

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 72

914 to 1,523 m: 37

under 914 m: 16 (2021)

Topic: Senegaltotal: 11

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Serbiatotal: 16

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Seychellestotal: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Sierra Leonetotal: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2021)

Topic: Slovakiatotal: 15

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Sloveniatotal: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: Solomon Islandstotal: 35

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 24 (2021)

Topic: Somaliatotal: 44

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 16

914 to 1,523 m: 22

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: South Africatotal: 277

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 19

914 to 1,523 m: 178

under 914 m: 79 (2021)

Topic: South Sudantotal: 84

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 12

914 to 1,523 m: 38

under 914 m: 33 (2021)

Topic: Spaintotal: 33

914 to 1,523 m: 14

under 914 m: 19 (2021)

Topic: Spratly Islandstotal: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Sudantotal: 50

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 24

under 914 m: 9 (2021)

Topic: Surinametotal: 49

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 45 (2021)

Topic: Svalbardtotal: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: Swedentotal: 82

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 77 (2021)

Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 23

under 914 m: 23 (2021)

Topic: Syriatotal: 61

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 48 (2021)

Topic: Taiwantotal: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Tajikistantotal: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 5 (2021)

Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 156

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 24

914 to 1,523 m: 98

under 914 m: 33 (2021)

Topic: Thailandtotal: 38

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 26 (2021)

Topic: Timor-Lestetotal: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Togototal: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Tongatotal: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Tunisiatotal: 14

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 8 (2021)

Topic: Turkeytotal: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Turkmenistantotal: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 4 (2021)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2021)

Topic: Tuvalutotal: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)

Topic: Ugandatotal: 42

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 8

914 to 1,523 m: 26

under 914 m: 7 (2021)

Topic: Ukrainetotal: 79

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 69 (2021)

Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal: 18

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 6 (2021)

Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 189

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 26

under 914 m: 160 (2021)

Topic: United Statestotal: 8,459

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 140

914 to 1,523 m: 1,552

under 914 m: 6,760 (2021)

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2016) - Palmyra Atoll

Topic: Uruguaytotal: 122

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 40

under 914 m: 79 (2021)

Topic: Uzbekistantotal: 20

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

under 914 m: 18 (2021)

Topic: Vanuatutotal: 28

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 21 (2021)

Topic: Venezuelatotal: 317

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 57

914 to 1,523 m: 127

under 914 m: 130 (2021)

Topic: Vietnamtotal: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2021)

Topic: Yementotal: 40

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 16

under 914 m: 9 (2021)

Topic: Zambiatotal: 80

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 53

under 914 m: 21 (2021)

Topic: Zimbabwetotal: 179

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 104

under 914 m: 72 (2021)


Topic: Photos of Indian Ocean

Topic: Introduction
Background: The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important access waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb (Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia).The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Indian Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 80 00 E
Map references: Political Map of the World
Area: total: 70.56 million sq km

note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative: almost 7 times the size of the US
Coastline: 66,526 km
Climate: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean
Terrain: surface dominated by a major gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean and a unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge major surface currents: the counterclockwise Indian Ocean Gyre comprised of the southward flowing warm Agulhas and East Madagascar Currents in the west, the eastward flowing South Indian Current in the south, the northward flowing cold West Australian Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the north; a distinctive annual reversal of surface currents occurs in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and clockwise currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and counterclockwise currentssurface dominated by a major gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean and a unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridgemajor surface currents: the counterclockwise Indian Ocean Gyre comprised of the southward flowing warm Agulhas and East Madagascar Currents in the west, the eastward flowing South Indian Current in the south, the northward flowing cold West Australian Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the north; a distinctive annual reversal of surface currents occurs in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and clockwise currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and counterclockwise currents
Volume: ocean volume: 264 million cu km

percent of World Ocean total volume: 19.8%
Elevation: highest point: sea level

lowest point: Java Trench -7,192 m unnamed deep

mean depth: -3,741 m

ocean zones: Composed of water and in a fluid state, the oceans are delimited differently than the solid continents. Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Although some sea creatures depend on light to live, others can do without it. Sunlight entering the water may travel about 1,000 m into the oceans under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light beyond 200 m.

The upper 200 m (656 ft) of oceans is called the euphotic, or "sunlight," zone. This zone contains the vast majority of commercial fisheries and is home to many protected marine mammals and sea turtles. Only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth.

The zone between 200 m (656 ft) and 1,000 m (3,280 ft) is usually referred to as the "twilight" zone, but is officially the dysphotic zone. In this zone, the intensity of light rapidly dissipates as depth increases. Such a minuscule amount of light penetrates beyond a depth of 200 m that photosynthesis is no longer possible.

The aphotic, or "midnight," zone exists in depths below 1,000 m (3,280 ft). Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths and the zone is bathed in darkness.
Natural resources: oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules
Natural hazards: occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches
Geography - note: major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait
Map description: Indian Ocean map highlights the Ocean in relation to surrounding continents and shows the major chokepoints.Indian Ocean map highlights the Ocean in relation to surrounding continents and shows the major chokepoints.

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: marine pollution caused by ocean dumping, waste disposal, and oil spills; deep sea mining; oil pollution in Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea; coral reefs threatened due climate change, direct human pressures, and inadequate governance, awareness, and political will; loss of biodiversity; endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales
Marine fisheries: the Indian Ocean fisheries are the third most important in the world accounting for 15.3%, or 12,248,064 mt of the global catch in 2019; tuna, small pelagic fish, and shrimp are important species in these regions; the Food and Agriculture Organization delineated two fishing regions in the Indian Ocean: Eastern Indian Ocean region (Region 57) is the most important region and the fifth largest producing region in the world with 8.5%, or 6,784,778 mt, of the global catch in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 55º South latitude and east of 80º East longitude including the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea with the major producers including India (2,362,481 mt), Indonesia (1,940,558 mt), Burma (1,114,777 mt), Bangladesh (877,837 mt), and Sri Lanka (373,369 mt); the principal catches include shad, Skipjack tuna, mackerel, shrimp, and sardinellas Western Indian Ocean region (Region 51) is the world’s sixth largest producing region with more than 6.8% or 5,463,286 mt of the global catch in 2019; this region encompasses the waters north of 40º South latitude and west of 80º East longitude including the western Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea as well as the waters along the east coast of Africa and Madagascar, the south coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and the west coast of India with major producers including India (2,207,125 mt), Oman (580,048 mt), Pakistan (341,730 mt), and Mozambique (274,791 mt); the principal catches include Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, mackerel, sardines, shrimp, and cephalopods

Regional fisheries bodies: Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Regional Commission for Fisheries (Persian Gulf/Gulf of Oman), Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center, Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission, South Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreementthe Indian Ocean fisheries are the third most important in the world accounting for 15.3%, or 12,248,064 mt of the global catch in 2019; tuna, small pelagic fish, and shrimp are important species in these regions; the Food and Agriculture Organization delineated two fishing regions in the Indian Ocean:Eastern Indian Ocean region (Region 57) is the most important region and the fifth largest producing region in the world with 8.5%, or 6,784,778 mt, of the global catch in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 55º South latitude and east of 80º East longitude including the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea with the major producers including India (2,362,481 mt), Indonesia (1,940,558 mt), Burma (1,114,777 mt), Bangladesh (877,837 mt), and Sri Lanka (373,369 mt); the principal catches include shad, Skipjack tuna, mackerel, shrimp, and sardinellas
Climate: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean

Topic: Government
Country name: etymology: named for the country of India, which makes up much of its northern border

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Topic: Transportation
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Chennai (Madras, India); Colombo (Sri Lanka); Durban (South Africa); Jakarta (Indonesia); Kolkata (Calcutta, India); Melbourne (Australia); Mumbai (Bombay, India); Richards Bay (South Africa)

Topic: Military and Security
Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau continues to report the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore waters as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Aden, along the east coast of Africa, the Bay of Bengal, and the Strait of Malacca; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators, including the use of on-board armed security teams, have reduced incidents of piracy; 2021 saw one incident in the region of the Horn of Africa; the EU naval mission, Operation ATALANTA, continues its operations in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean through 2022; naval units from Japan, India, and China also operate in conjunction with EU forces; China has established a logistical base in Djibouti to support its deployed naval units in the Horn of Africa

the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-003 Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to US and International Shipping from Iran) effective 28 February 2022, which states in part that "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in this region continue to present risk to commercial shipping...there is a continued possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take actions against US and partner interests in the region;" Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel has been established to provide escorts for commercial shipping transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)some maritime disputes (see littoral states)


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Topic: Citation ModelThe World Factbook 2021. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2021.

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
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