?steamy

steamy發(fā)音

英：['sti:m?]　　美：[?stimi]

英：　　美：

steamy中文意思翻譯

adj.蒸汽多的, 潮濕的, **的

steamy詞形變化

副詞: steamily | 名詞: steaminess | 形容詞最高級: steamiest | 形容詞比較級: steamier |

steamy常見(jiàn)例句

1 、Others have retreated into steamy nationalist ghettos, sometimes in cahoots with the new authorities.───另外一些教會(huì )則撤入民族主義盛行的猶太區有權貴相勾結。

2 、Yuen Caie Nine days into the fairy Caie, reiki steamy heat, mild temperament, and adept at Mofabang Ribbon, gave up more of its edge.───九天彩娥化成的仙子,靈氣四溢,性情溫和,擅長(cháng)使用絲帶和魔法棒,舞動(dòng)起來(lái)更顯其身姿。

3 、A Brief Talk On Analyzing The Depth Of Thermal Insulated Layer Of Steamy Thermal Insulated Direct- Buried Pipe───淺談優(yōu)化分析蒸汽直埋管保溫層的厚度

4 、Long colourful dresses are the style embodiment of hot days and steamy nights, so save the maxi until the mercury rises.───修長(cháng)的五彩繽紛的長(cháng)裙是熱天和潮濕夜晚的風(fēng)格體現。所以，到氣溫高的天氣穿長(cháng)裙。

5 、She leaned forward, looking through the car's steamy windows at the snow outside, now falling heavily───她俯身向前，透過(guò)布滿(mǎn)水汽的車(chē)窗望著(zhù)外面已經(jīng)漫天飛舞的大雪。

6 、For decades, the steamy Pearl River Delta area of southern Guangdong Province served as a primary engine for China’s astounding economic growth.───數十年來(lái)，煙雨朦朦的的廣東南部珠三角地區一直是中國經(jīng)濟驚人增長(cháng)的第一引擎。

7 、steamy place───漏汽點(diǎn)

8 、In a steamy, dim room, workers sit idle beside their sewing machines.There has been no power for the past 2 hours, so workers must wait before they can continue filling their clients' orders.───在煙霧彌漫、微暗的房間里，工作人員坐在縫紉機旁，已經(jīng)2個(gè)小時(shí)沒(méi)有電了，所以工作人員必須等待，才能完成顧客訂單的工作。

9 、VO5 Nourishing Oasis is activated by the steamy heat of your shower with fragrances that bloom, to invigorate your senses while conditioners restore your hair with nutrients.───VO5滋養綠洲由你洗澡的熱蒸汽激活，帶來(lái)大量的香氣。在護發(fā)劑恢復你的頭發(fā)的營(yíng)養同時(shí)，增強你的感覺(jué)。

10 、However, I suggest not to try to do so. In this hot, steamy room I'm sure you will die when you reach orgasm.───但還是要建議大家別這么做，在這樣又熱又多蒸汽的房間里，要是你到了高潮，肯定會(huì )窒息而死。

11 、The acute pressure rise may also cause corneal edema, giving the cornea a steamy appearance.───眼壓急性升高也可以引起角膜水腫,使角膜呈現出篜汽樣外觀(guān)。

12 、The conditions in the scullery are hot and steamy, DiLalla said, and it gets pretty hectic during peak dining times.───洗碗間里熱氣蒸騰,帝娜娜說(shuō),并且在用餐峰頂期間,變得非常熱.

13 、Instead of "He sat in his chair",we may say, "He lounged, sprawled, coiled".Instead of "It was hot", we may say, "It was blistering, sultry, muggy, suffocating, steamy, wilting".───我們可能會(huì )說(shuō)“他懶洋洋地倚靠、伸開(kāi)四肢躺在、盤(pán)坐在椅子上”來(lái)更換“他坐在椅子上”，我們會(huì )說(shuō)“天氣炎熱、酷熱、悶熱、熱得令人窒息、燥熱、干熱”代替“天氣熱”。

14 、This paper puts forward the calculating formula of depth of steamy thermal insulated direct - buried pipe thermal insulated kyer using technology economy analysis method.───本文采用技術(shù)經(jīng)濟分析方法,提出蒸汽直埋管保溫層經(jīng)濟厚度的計算公式,將有機保溫層和無(wú)機保溫層的厚度優(yōu)化選擇。

15 、Filming Foreign Babes in Beijing taught Rachel DeWoskin many lessons, not least the Chinese for" drop your pants" and the importance of straightening one's eyebrow hairs during steamy semi-naked shower scenes.───洋妞在北京》這部**讓雷切爾學(xué)到了許多教訓，不僅僅是中文短語(yǔ)“脫褲子”和在出演半裸淋浴這樣的場(chǎng)景時(shí)注意整理被水打亂的眉毛等這樣的細節。

16 、For decades, the steamy Pearl River Delta area of southern Guangdong Province served as a primary engine for China's astounding economic growth.───幾十年來(lái)，廣東省南部全速發(fā)展的珠江三角洲地區，是帶動(dòng)中國驚人經(jīng)濟成長(cháng)的大火車(chē)頭。

17 、The world's not as steamy and you are looking for a whale.─── 這世界靈氣不再充裕 你在尋找一個(gè)靈氣強大的人

18 、The particular teakettle shown has a melodic whistle on its spout, so it blows a harmonious steamy chord when ready to serve.───圖內茶壺的壺嘴里附有音樂(lè )汽笛，所以只要水一煮好，茶壺便會(huì )冒著(zhù)蒸汽，發(fā)出悅耳的和音。

19 、The sultry and steamy air lingered like a mangy dog running about in the room.The bulb was surely covered with roe-like beads of water.───濕濁的熱氣在屋子里像癲皮狗一樣東游西躥著(zhù)，電燈泡上果然浮著(zhù)一層魚(yú)卵般的水珠。

20 、Write "I Love You" on the steamy mirror while your beloved is in the shower.───寫(xiě)“我愛(ài)你”就蒸汽一面鏡子，當你心愛(ài)的是，在淋浴。

21 、And between various steamy, erotic musings, you begged him to leave.─── 除了種種性感的調情 你懇求他離開(kāi)

22 、My glasses have fogged up in this steamy room.───在這個(gè)滿(mǎn)是蒸汽的房間里我的眼鏡蒙上了一層霧。

23 、"What a pity," said Slote, glancing down at the steamy pungent-smelling brown mass───“真可惜，”斯魯特低頭朝那碗熱氣騰騰、辛辣刺鼻的醬色東西瞧了一眼。

24 、Nothing wicks [2] moisture away better on a steamy August day.───在潮濕的八月份，沒(méi)有什么能比棉花更能吸去潮氣的了。

25 、Whether you've got a free hour and a hot partner in crime to share it with or just a precious few moments to yourself, it's a snap to unleash your inner vixen with these steamy to-do's.───無(wú)論你有一小時(shí)多的自由時(shí)間和一個(gè)熱情的伴兒去分享，或者只是對你很珍貴的短短的一會(huì )兒，用這些有點(diǎn)情欲的小花招去放縱你的內心的瘙癢，都是一個(gè)很好的釋放。

26 、When Congress escaped Washington's steamy heat in late July for its summer recess, it left anti-indecency legislation hanging high and dry in both Houses.───當國會(huì )于7月下旬休假以避開(kāi)華盛頓蒸汽般的熱浪時(shí)，它的反猥褻立法仍然在兩議院懸而未決。

27 、A warm water current within it swirls clockwise, affecting the weather of the area, keeping it calm and steamy.───在它里面暖流漩渦成順時(shí)針旋轉，影響了該區域的天氣,使藻海平靜和水汽彌漫。

28 、He put his arms round her massive waist and kissed her wet steamy lips───他用雙手摟住她那巨大的腰，吻了吻她那潮濕的帶水汽的嘴唇。

29 、I sent her some flowers with a steamy note.─── 我已經(jīng)給她寄了花 附帶朦朧小紙條

30 、We were speeding through a powerful downpour towards the southern end of the steamy Guatemalan coast.───我們在傾盆大雨中加速前進(jìn)，朝著(zhù)空氣潮濕的危地馬拉海岸南端駛去。

31 、14. Why you should expect it through the person of a steamy, devoted, often tiresome Jewess to find this kind of thing?───你為什么希望通過(guò)一個(gè)渾身冒著(zhù)熱氣，忠心耿耿，卻常常令人討厭的猶太女人來(lái)發(fā)現這種東西？

32 、I've learned that regardnless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.───我懂得了，無(wú)論關(guān)系最初多么親密無(wú)間、如膠似漆，激情總會(huì )褪去，最好有別的東西來(lái)取而代之。

33 、Open back of the machine hood: lets steamy vapor exit through the back, not the front of the machine, for more comfort;───后敞開(kāi)式罩殼:蒸汽后溢,增強了操作的舒適感;

34 、Nancy comes from st.louis, Missouri, a hot, steamy state, while Donald is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, which enjoys a more clement climate.───南希來(lái)自密蘇里州的圣路易，那里炎熱潮濕如同蒸籠一般;而唐納德是麻省波士頓人，與圣路易相比，麻省的氣候溫和得多了。

35 、Champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries prep you for a steamy bath laced with salts, bubbles and floating candles.───為你準備好了香檳酒和蘸著(zhù)巧克力的草莓，以及配有鹽、泡沫和漂浮著(zhù)蠟燭的愛(ài)情洗浴。

36 、Nancy comes from St Louis, Missouri, a hot, steamy state, while Donald is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, which enjoys a more clement climate.───南希來(lái)自密蘇里州的圣路易，那里炎熱潮濕如同蒸籠一般；而唐納德是麻省波士頓人，與圣路易相比，麻省的氣候溫和得多了。

37 、A 20-something acquaintance recently told of her mate's terrible shock at putting a tape into the video machine and finding steamy footage of his churchgoing parents at a swingers' party.───一個(gè)20歲左右的熟人最近被告知她的丈夫在把一卷帶子放入錄像機后驚訝地發(fā)現當時(shí)新婚的父母鬧洞房時(shí)的激情場(chǎng)面。

38 、If I visit the galley, it's very hot and steamy, pans are everywhere, it is challenging in there.───假如我去廚房，那里酷熱無(wú)比，熱氣騰騰，到處是鍋盤(pán)碗杓。

39 、Design Parameters of Steamy Spray Injector Applying to Jet Grinding Mill───氣流粉碎機用蒸汽加料器設計參數研究

40 、Like nearly every afternoon in steamy Central Florida, the Magic can heat up in a hurry.───看起來(lái)在每個(gè)霧氣朦朧的福羅里達州的下午，魔術(shù)都能瞬間提升手感。

41 、Me and my clone have a steamy makeout scene, which is hot but also very progressive.─── 我和我的克隆人有一場(chǎng)*的床戲 非常性感 而且也很有新意

42 、That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.───不論起初的關(guān)系如何熱絡(luò ),熱情總會(huì )退卻,最好有其它的東西可以取代它。

43 、At any rate, Ikey toiled and snipped and basted and pressed and patched and sponged all day in the steamy fetor of a tailor-shop.───無(wú)論如何，在裁縫店水汽蒸騰的惡臭里，艾奇整天又裁又縫又熨又補再用海綿擦洗，一刻都不得閑。

44 、TVG: Did your situation ever make you laugh? You were this massively pregnant married heterosexual woman in steamy clinches with gorgeous women.───你的情況會(huì )讓你覺(jué)得好笑嗎？你著(zhù)著(zhù)實(shí)實(shí)地懷了孕，身為結了婚的異性戀女性，又跟一些美女煽情地抱在一起。

45 、Why did I wander out to Long Island on a steamy day, traveling some 14 miles from the center of the American restaurant scene to a dumpy place at the end of a New York City subway line?───我為什么要冒著(zhù)炎炎烈日，從美式餐廳云集的紐約市中心前往長(cháng)島，奔波14英里，來(lái)到地鐵線(xiàn)最末端一個(gè)不起眼的小地方？

46 、The oil industry of india has traveled a long distance from the steamy jungles of Digboi to the deep-blue waters of the Bombay High.───從DIGBOI油田潮濕的叢林到BOMBAY high油田深藍的海水，印度的石油工業(yè)已經(jīng)經(jīng)歷了一條漫長(cháng)的歷程。

47 、Similarly, in 1996 Thai architect Soontorn Boonyatikarn built a house near steamy Bangkok that required only one-seventh the air-conditioning capacity usually installed in a structure of that size;───同樣的，1996年有位泰國建筑師本亞提坎（SoontornBoonyatikarn）在濕熱的曼谷附近建造一間房屋，冷氣用量只需要同樣面積傳統房屋的1/7。

48 、Then he sat down at the table and poured himself a drink from the jug, The liquor was cold in the jug, but it come steamy into glass.───然后他在桌旁坐下,替自己倒了一杯酒,酒在壺里是涼的,可是斟入酒杯里卻冒著(zhù)熱氣。

49 、Come talk to me. It looks a little steamy in here.─── 這車(chē)廂里有點(diǎn)太*四射了

50 、The bathroom gets steamy.───浴室里蒸汽蒙蒙。

51 、Zhu noded to mother.Then,he unclosed a little of the blue cloth on the bamboo basket and saw five white steamy momos with some golden sweet osmanthus on it.───小柱點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭，他掀開(kāi)一點(diǎn)罩在竹籃子上的藍花布，只見(jiàn)在那剛出籠的白饃饃上，還撒著(zhù)一片黃澄澄的桂花糖呢。

52 、the steamy heat of Tokyo───東京的潮濕悶熱

53 、Instead they may have been the forebears of heat-loving bacteria that color the steamy geyser pools in Yellowstone National Park and populate submarine volcanoes.───他也勉強承認，那聲名遠播的化石可能不是行光合作用的生物，而是嗜熱細菌的前身；這些細菌使得黃石國家公園熱氣蒸騰的間歇泉水池及海底火山顯得色彩繽紛。

54 、the steamy vapours of a Turkish bath───土耳其浴的水蒸氣.

55 、a steamy bathroom───水汽彌漫的浴室

56 、Then he sat down at the table and poured himself a drink from the jug, The liquor was cold in the jug , but it come steamy into glass.───然后他在桌旁坐下，替自己倒了一杯酒，酒在壺里是涼的，可是斟入酒杯里卻冒著(zhù)熱氣。

57 、In industry some amelioration of the atmosphere in the steamy, gas-lighted workrooms was forced on mill owners to offset an increasing sickness rate.───在工業(yè)上，潮濕的以天然氣來(lái)照明的車(chē)間的環(huán)境有一些改進(jìn)，但對于磨房主要彌補的逐漸升高的疾病率來(lái)說(shuō)很牽強。

58 、Why you should expect it through the person of a steamy, devoted, often tiresome Jewess to find this kind of thing?───你為什么希望通過(guò)一個(gè)渾身冒著(zhù)熱氣,忠心耿耿,卻常常令人討厭的猶太女人來(lái)發(fā)現這種東西?

59 、The diverse Eastern Cape landscape ranges from the dry, deceptively desolate Great Karoo to the steamy forests of the Wild Coast and the Keiskamma Valley.───東開(kāi)普省風(fēng)景多樣，有干旱且貌似荒涼的大卡魯高原，也有狂野海岸那潮濕悶熱的森林和凱斯卡瑪谷。

60 、Flying lemurs jumped between trees as big as giant sequoias, and steamy swamps hosted alligators and giant tortoises.───狐猴在像紅杉一樣高聳的叢林中穿梭，短吻鱷和巨型烏龜棲息在霧氣繚繞的沼澤地中。

61 、I've learned - that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.───不論起初的關(guān)系如何熱烈,熱情總會(huì )退卻,最好有其他的東西可以取代它。

62 、Lisa: I feel all steamy and tingly.───麗薩：我感到很沖動(dòng)，很激動(dòng)。

63 、They are waiting for their lunch in some steamy haus───他們在一間潮濕悶熱的房間里等著(zhù)吃午飯。

64 、The room is crafted from the finest materials from around the world and decked out with every imaginable luxury, from video on demand to a steamy Roman spa.───套房選用的是全球一流的材質(zhì)，同時(shí)從應用盡有的視頻點(diǎn)播，到熱氣騰騰的羅馬水療浴池，豪華設施一應俱全。

65 、As I left the steamy capital by plane for the south, the verdant West African rainforest below gradually gave way to a drier landscape.What South Africans call The Veldt was taking over.───當我離開(kāi)煙霧繚繞的首都，坐飛機前往南部時(shí)，飛機下方翠綠的西非雨林漸而變成干旱的景象，這就是南美人所稱(chēng)的草原。

66 、Oleg and I can't have sex for two more weeks and it's just getting too steamy up there.─── 我跟奧列格還得再等兩周才能* 樓上干柴烈火一點(diǎn)就要著(zhù)了

67 、STUDY ON OVERCOMING VIBRATION OF COOLING PIPE FROM SHOCK OF STEAMY FLOW IN CONDENSER───凝汽器冷卻管克服汽流沖擊振動(dòng)的研究

68 、Now, normally, when you're in a sauna, it's very steamy.─── 一般來(lái)說(shuō) 桑拿房里充滿(mǎn)了水蒸氣

69 、Take a trip to the steamy side of suburbia as the acclaimed hit Desperate Housewives is hotter,hipper and even more exciting in its sizzling fourth season.───愛(ài)情風(fēng)味餐(全) 帥哥米田敦，為了當上廚師，每天都很努力。而為了心愛(ài)的她，他更是努力的每天做便當。

70 、Helen is a former fashion model having a steamy affair with David, brother of her weaithy husband Ben.───海倫曾是著(zhù)名的模特兒，她與丈夫寶尼的弟弟大衛有染。

71 、These steamy bed scenes on prime time TV have angered many parents; as a result, the TV station is flooded with protest calls.───電視在黃金時(shí)段播放咸濕場(chǎng)面惱怒了不少父母親；結果是電視臺涌入了大量的抗議**。

72 、All steamy smoke choked off the flames───一股潮濕的煙熄滅了火苗。

73 、From misty highlands to steamy coast, Kenyans voted on Monday in a referendum on a new constitution that has stirred tribal divisions and shaped into a dress rehearsal for a 2007 election.───從霧茫高地到悶熱海岸的肯亞人，都在周一參予這場(chǎng)改變部落界線(xiàn)，同時(shí)也是2007大選前哨戰的新憲法公投。

74 、"Churchgoers in Sunday finery sweat out a sermon with the help of handheld fans in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia's steamy capital.───“在濕熱的法屬波利尼西亞塔希提首府帕皮提，身著(zhù)禮拜天華服的禮拜者們在手搖扇慰藉下熱汗淋淋地聽(tīng)著(zhù)布道。

75 、He may be short and peculiar, but to me he's as steamy as his press.─── 他也許矮了點(diǎn) 還有點(diǎn)古怪 但在我眼里 他就像他的熨燙機一樣火熱

76 、I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first,the passion fades and there had better be sonething else to take its place.───我懂得了，無(wú)論關(guān)系最初多么親密無(wú)間、如膠似漆，激情總會(huì )退去，最好有別的東西來(lái)取而代之。

77 、My glasses have fogged up in this steamy room───我的眼鏡因在這間充滿(mǎn)蒸氣的房間里蒙上水氣而模糊不清。

78 、When it storms outside, it's time for steamy hot chocolate or even a soothing toddy.───當外面刮起暴風(fēng)雨，就該是喝熱氣騰騰的巧克力或沁人心脾的棕櫚酒的時(shí)候了。

79 、Atlanta's weather is mild for much of the year, though July and August tend to be steamy and hot and the area does get snow in December and January.───亞特蘭大的天氣在一年中的大部分時(shí)間都是溫和的，雖然在7月和8月城市彌漫著(zhù)水蒸汽，天氣較熱，在12月和1月也會(huì )下雪。

80 、The bathroom get steamy.───浴室里蒸氣蒙蒙。

81 、Inside the peeler machine, a tiny knife slits each casing along the tie. Then, steamy air blows the casings right off the dogs.───削皮機里面的小刀沿著(zhù)黑條劃開(kāi)套管，然后蒸汽把套管吹離熱狗。

82 、There was no way that we could sleep in the hot, steamy humidity of the jungle early afternoon, especially with visions of family back home assaulting our minds.───我們怎么也無(wú)法入睡，剛到下午的時(shí)候，叢林里又熱又潮濕，特別是我們腦海里總是浮現家里面的景象。

83 、My glasses fogged up in this steamy room.───在這間熱氣騰騰的房間里，我的眼鏡蒙上了一層霧。

84 、Even my tastebuds prefer the rain.When it storms outside, it's time for steamy hot chocolate or even a soothing toddy.───甚至我的味蕾也喜歡雨天，外面狂風(fēng)暴雨時(shí)，正是吃熱巧克力或者喝輕柔的棕櫚汁的好時(shí)機。

85 、So did I, for a moment, as we hurtled downhill in the buggy through acres of good waterside planting, steamy irises and overhanging types of oriental tree.───有那么一會(huì )我也想到了，當時(shí)，我們乘坐著(zhù)小汽車(chē)疾馳下山，穿過(guò)幾英畝優(yōu)良的水邊植被、水氣蒙蒙的鳶尾和枝繁葉茂的東方樹(shù)木。

86 、South of these mountains lies the Duars Plain, controlling access to the strategic mountain passes;much of it is hot and steamy and covered with dense forest.───山脈以南是杜阿爾斯平原，控制了山脈入口要道，戰略地位重要，但氣候大多十分炎熱，終日煙霧蒸騰，森林密布。

87 、During his visit he met a sexy table dancer called Elli, they had a brief but hot steamy affair.───另邊廂，樂(lè )民兒子離奇死亡，死因怪異，妻子更嚇至魂飛魄散。

88 、Well, it better be, 'cause she's not all that steamy.─── 最好真的有意思 她的靈氣可不算多強

89 、If not, we're in for a really weird, steamy few years.─── 如果不是 我們就要度過(guò)古怪 充滿(mǎn)蒸汽的幾年了

90 、The spring of Beijing is so short that people have to start to wear short-sleeved clothes at the beginning of seeing green sprouts and to reluctantly face the long steamy summer.───北京的春天太短，才脫去冬衣，就要穿起短袖，才見(jiàn)青青草長(cháng)，便接踵而來(lái)燥熱難當漫長(cháng)氤氳的夏季。

我想要關(guān)于尼泊爾的英文介紹，誰(shuí)能幫我

http://www.nepal.com/

如果你英語(yǔ)好可以去上面找資料

我想要關(guān)于尼泊爾的英文介紹，誰(shuí)能幫我

Location, Geography, & Climate

Nepal, home to Mount Everest, is dominated by the world's most imposing mountains. Although the country is relatively small (147,181 square kilometers), 80 percent of its territory is occupied by the dramatic peaks of the Himalayas. Nepal was closed to foreign visitors until1951, a situation which contributed greatly to its mystique in the west. This small, hospitable country has since become an exceptionally popular destination for travelers, whether they are in search of climbing challenges or spiritual enlightenment.

Nepal can be divided into three geographical regions, each stretching from east to west across the country. The southernmost strip of land, the Terai, is bordered to the north by Himalayan foothills and to the south by the Ganges River. The area was originally covered with tropical vegetation, but has been almost completely converted to agricultural production. The Terai is now the breadbasket of Nepal and is covered with farms.

The central section of Nepal is formed by the Mahabharat Chain, a range of mountains that reach modest altitudes of 2,000-3,000 meters. Farming has become an important activity in the area; terraced farms produce rice, corn and wheat. The Kathmandu Valley, a stretch of green in the middle of the Mahabbarat, is home to Nepal's capital and other historic cities.

The Himalayas stretch across the northern section of Nepal. Eight of the ten highest peaks in the world are located here, and most are covered with permanent snowfields. The area is sparsely populated, with little vegetation above the tree-line (4,200 meters).

The climate varies considerably with elevation. May to October is monsoon season, when rain soaks the Terai and snow falls on the Himalayan peaks. Mid-October to mid-December is prime mountaineering weather: the skies are clear and sunny, temperatures range from warm in the lowlands to crisp in the mountains. March and April are also good months for mountain treks, although temperatures in Kathmandu and the Terai tend to be steamy.

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History and People

While there is evidence that Nepal was inhabited in prehistoric times, there has been little archeological research on early indigenous peoples. In the 8th century BC, migrants from India settled in the region of Kathmandu. Indian influence in the region was further consolidated by the Licchavi Dynasty (300-900 AM), who introduced Hindu traditions and culture (including the caste system). By the 13th century, three kingdoms, all under the control of the Malla Dynasty, dominated the Kathmandu Valley. Over the next five hundred years, the Malla rulers proved to be important patrons of the arts, building elaborately-decorated temples and palaces that survive to this day. Throughout the centuries, Nepal's topography protected the country from outside invaders. The Himalayas provided an impenetrable boundary to the north, while endemic malaria in the Terai kept out attacks from the south.

Nepal's kingdoms were unified in 1769 by Prithvi Narayan Shah, an ancestor of Nepal's present-day king. Inspired by India's independence, a nationalist movement grew in Nepal in the 1940's, but the king remained in control of the country. It was not until 1991 that a new constitution was introduced and multiparty elections were held for the first time.

Nepal's 18 million inhabitants belong to dozens of different ethnic groups. They can be divided roughly into Hindu peoples (who live mainly in the lowlands) and Buddhists, who live in mountain villages close to Tibet. Hindus, who make up 90 percent of the population, dominate political and religious life. But Buddhism has a special connection to Nepal: Siddhartha Gautama, who was later revered as the Buddha, was born in the Terai in 543 BC. Perhaps the most well-known Buddhist ethnic group are the Sherpa, who have long been associated with Himalayan mountaineering expeditions. The vast majority of Nepal's population makes a living from subsistence agriculture.