Nepal was embroiled in a civil war from 1996-2006, with the Maoist rebels fighting for control of the country against a long-standing monarchy. In April of 2006 the King was overthrown following several weeks of violent protests, and the Maoists entered the government as a recognized political party. During the war, over 12,000 people were killed and between 100-150,000 were internally displaced.

The country is among the poorest and least developed in the world, both economically and in terms of infrastructure, ranking near the bottom in almost every major category. Half the country lives below the poverty line, earning less than $1.25 per day, and unemployment rates hover around fifty percent.

Source:  CIA World Factbook