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People
Population: 22,094,033 (July 1996 est.) Ethnic divisions: Newars,
Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus,
Sherpas
Language
Nepali (official), 20 other languages divided into numerous dialects.
Religion
While the majority of Nepali people practice Hinduism, the official
religion, a strong shamanist element remains in the religious practices
of many Tibeto-Nepalese ethnic groups. Buddhism is also important
within the country. Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in
Lumbini, in present-day Nepal. There is also a small Muslim population
mainly located in the Tarai.
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