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Literature Discussion - Lit-Talk.com
The Issue of Federalism in Nepal Appears More Complex than the Peace Process and Constitution Writing
By Dr. Bishnu Pathak (Nepal)
Executive Director
Peace and Conflict Studies Center (PCS Center)
P. O. Box 11374, Sukedhara
Kathmandu, Nepal
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The Issue of Federalism in Nepal Appears More Complex than the Peace Process and Constitution Writing
Bishnu Pathak, PhD
Although, this article has been written sometimes ago, it is still relevant in the case of Nepal on the course to complete peace process concluding constitution writing and Maoist Army integration into society and security forces.
Federalism in present Nepal has become a topic of great contention. Nearly 5-year later to compliance the constitutional provision and after long drawn debate, the Government with the decision of major parties have finally formed nine-member State Restructuring Commission (SRC) to recommend the Constituent Assembly a best possible model to federate Republic of Nepal. Except a few, none of the member of SRC does have expertise in this subject. It means they simple put parties stamp on the blueprint for federalism rather than focusing to the need, desire and benefit of the people and the nation at large. The SRC divides into two bickering: five-member favors 11-state modality, the Maoist proposal of socio-cultural concept whereas four commissioners advocate for six-state federal modality. The minority commissioners walked out of the review meeting of January 27, 2012 dissatisfying with the working style of the Coordinator. It is to true of that the number of federal state should be concluded on the basis of consensus rather than dividing minority and majority voting. The main opposition political parties, namely, Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) will reject the majority vote at the SRC (Republica: January 28, 2012 and Kathmandu Post: January 28, 2012). Without a decision of federal state, neither the writing of constitution nor the integration of the Maoist Army into society and security forces shall be concluded before the last Constitutional deadline of May 28, 2012. The extension of the tenure of the Constitution Assembly for the final six months is the verdict given by the full bench of the Apex Court on November 25, 2011. On December 7, 2011, the Supreme Court refused to register review the applications filed by both the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly stating "the final verdict given by the full bench cannot be reviewed". It is to be remarkable of that the Court gave a verdict respecting the voices of the people in general as most of them are against the extension of tenure of the CA repeatedly.
Nepal has been a witness of several armed and unarmed struggles conducted by the Gurung, Tamang, Lama, Dalits and so forth. They have struggled against injustice, inequality, repression, absolutism, and for their freedom and livelihood. However, such movements could not attract much of the general population due to lack of strong organization, competent leadership, enough preparation, and strategical skills. The popular movement I of 1990 made the people conscious of their rights and duties. They were also made conscious by the world’s politics. Namely, the cultural, regional, and ethnic-based dimensions that emerged in the 21st century after the US tried to impose free market and human rights policy on the communist regimes of the 20th century. The zeal of the multi-caste, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and multi-regional Nepali people was finally fueled when the Communist Party of Nepal - or CPN (Maoist) - initiated the armed conflict termed the “People’s War” on February 13, 1996. The issues of federalism, national-regional and cultural autonomy, secularism, and the right to self-determination became prominent along with the intensifying of the People’s War. Federation with autonomy has now become the prime agenda of all ethnic, regional, lingual, and cultural based groups in Nepal.
Log frame I: Federal States’ politics in the world
SN |
Federal State |
No. of federal divisions |
Politics |
Independence |
Remarks |
||
Government |
Parliament |
Military |
|||||
1 |
Argentina (Argentina Republic) |
23 Provinces (1 federal district) |
Federal presidential representative democratic republic (head of the state/ government) |
Bicameral - (Senate with 22 seats and Chamber of Deputies with 257 members) |
President as the Commander-In-Chief |
From Spain on May 25, 1810 |
In 2007 Christina Fernandez de Kirchner became the first elected female president. |
2 |
Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) |
6 States (1 federal district and several minor territories) |
Parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy |
Bicameral commonwealth parliament consists of Queen, Senate, and the HOR (House of Repres.) |
51,000 Australian Defense Force including navy, ground and air forces |
From UK on January 1, 1901 |
The Queen is represented by the Governor-General, who acts on the advice of his/her Ministers. The Upper House consists of 76 senators, and the Lower House (HOR) of 150 members |
3 |
Austria (Republic of Austria) |
9 States |
Federal presidential representative democratic republic. |
Bicameral - Lower Chamber (183 seats) and Upper Chamber…. |
45,000 joint forces |
From Austrian Treaty on July 27, 1955 |
It is one of six European countries that has declared permanent neutrality in its constitution. |
4 |
Belgium (Kingdom of Belgium) |
Divisions |
Parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy |
Bicameral – Senate 61 and Chamber of Representatives (150 members) |
|
From Germany in 1957 |
Senate is made up of 40 representatives directly elected and 21 appointed by the three community parliament. Monarchy does not cast votes. |
5 |
Bosnia-Herzegovina |
Administrative Divisions. It has 10 cantons which split into 74 municipalities |
Federal democratic republic |
Bicameral – House of Peoples (15 delegates; 5 each from Bosnians, Serbs and Croats and House of Representatives 42 (HOR) members |
110,000 civilians killed by the military with 1.8 million displaced |
From Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on March 1, 1992 |
In the referendum for independence from Yugoslavia in early 1992, a great majority of Bosnian Serbs boycotted. The remaining Bosnians voted for independence by 81%. Tensions escalated as Bosnia and Herze.g.ovina declared independence in April 1992. |
6 |
Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil) |
26 States (1 federal district with 5561 municipalities) |
Presidential Federal Republic. President is both head of the state and government |
Bicameral – Chamber of Deputies and Federal Senate |
190,000 ground, navy and air soldiers |
From Portugal on Sept. 7, 1822 |
It has the largest armed forces in Latin America |
7 |
Canada |
10 Provinces and 3 territories |
Parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy |
Bicameral – House of Commons and Senate |
90,000 re.g.ular and reserve forces |
From the UK on July 1, 1867 |
Canada and the US share the world's longest undefended border and comprise of each other's largest trading partners. Canada maintains an independent foreign policy – full relations with Cuba/declined to participate in the Iraq war with the US. |
8 |
Comoros |
3 Islands |
Federal and Islamic Republic. President heads the state/government |
|
500 each police and defense force |
From France on July 16, 1975 |
|
9 |
Ethiopia (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia) |
Semi -autonomous regions (2 chartered cities) |
Federal Democratic Republic |
Bicameral – The first national parliament and regional legislatures were conducted in May and June 1995. |
|
Established in 10th BC |
The 547 CA members of June 1994 adopted a New Constitution by December of that year. Ethiopia is a hybrid between semi-democracy and an authoritarian regime. It ranks 106 out of 167 countries in the democracy index, where Cambodia ranks 105 and Burundi 107. |
10 |
Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) |
16 States with 439 districts and cities. |
Federal Democratic Republic. President heads the State and Federal Chancellor to Government. |
Bicameral – Federal Diet and Federal Council |
|
From holy Roman empire in 962; federal republic May 23, 1949; and reunification October 3, 1990 |
It is the world's 3rd largest economy by GDP with the largest exporters in 2007. It allocates the 2nd biggest annual budget for development aid while its military expenditure ranks 6th in the world. |
11 |
India (Republic of India) |
28 States (7 Union Territories) |
Federal Republic Parliamentary Democracy. President heads the State and the PM the Government |
Bicameral – Rajya Sabha (Council of States) 245 members and Lok Sabha (House of People) 543 members |
|
From UK on August 15, 1947, but republic declared on January 26, 1950 only. |
It has quasi-federal form of government. The 7 union territories – Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli , Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, National Capital Territory of Delhi, and Puduchery). |
12 |
Iraq (Republic of Iraq) |
18 Governorates including 1 autonomous region |
Islamic democratic federal parliamentary republic. |
|
|
From UK on October 3, 1932 |
President heads the State and the PM to Government |
13 |
Malaysia |
13 States (3 federal territories) |
Parliamentary democracy with federal constitutional monarchy |
Bicameral – House of Representative (222-member) and Senate (139- member) |
|
From UK on Aug. 31, 1957; Singapore on Sept. 16, 1963 |
In the first Millennium Malay people adopted Sanskrit. This lasted until they converted to Islam. |
14 |
Mexico (United Mexican States) |
States 31 |
Presidential federal republic. President heads the both state/government |
Senate and Chamber of Deputies |
|
From Spain on September 16, 1810 |
It is the 4th largest country in Americans, 14th largest in the world by total area, 11th most populous and the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. |
15 |
Micronesia |
States 4 |
|
|
|
From the US on Nov 3, 1986 |
|
16 |
Nepal |
14 zones |
Federal democratic republic |
Unicameral. 601 members to draft a new constitution |
94,000 Nepal Army |
Kingdom declared on De. 21, 1768 |
On December 28, 2007, the Interim Parliament passed a bill that Nepal would declare a federal republic. Nepal finally declares a republic by the CA on May 28, 2008. |
17 |
Netherlands (Kingdom of the Netherlands) |
3 Landen |
Parliamentary democracy since 1848; constitutional monarchy since 1815 |
Bicameral – Upper House with 75 members and 150 member in the Second Chamber |
70,000 including civilians and military personnel |
|
It is a founding member of the EU, NATO and OECD. It was a republic from 1581 to 1813. The Economist ranked the Netherlands as the 3rd most democratic country in the world. |
18 |
Nigeria (Federal Republic of Nigeria) |
36 States (1 territory) |
Presidential federal republic. President heads the State and the Government |
Bicameral – Upper House and Lower House |
115,000 (ground, navy and air forces) |
From the UK in 1960 |
Military coup lasted from 1966 to till the death of Sani Abbacha in 1998 |
19 |
Pakistan (Islamic Republic of Pakistan) |
4 Provinces and 4 Federal territories 4 |
Semi-presidential federal democratic republic. |
Bicameral – Senate 100 and National Assembly 342 members |
It is the 7th largest in the world in terms of soldiers |
Seceded from India in August 1947. |
President acts as the Commander-in-Chief of the army. |
20 |
Russia (Russian Federation) |
83 Subjects (47 oblasts, 21 republics, 9 krais, 4 autonomous regions and 2 federal cities) |
Semi-presidential federal democratic republic |
State Duma 450 members and Federal Council 176 members |
1.037 million (ground, navy and air forces) |
Founded in 862. |
It became independent after the Soviet Union Collapse in 1991. It is a federation within a transcontinental country. |
21 |
Saint Kitts and Nevis (Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis) |
Islands or Parishes |
Parliamentary democracy and federal constitutional monarchy |
|
|
From United Kingdom on September 19, 1983 |
Monarch – Queen Elizabeth II |
22 |
Sudan (Republic of Sudan) |
26 States |
Presidential Republic. |
After the military coup in April 1985, regional assemblies were suspended. |
|
From British Empire and Egypt on Jan. 1, 1956 |
First civil war (1955-1972) and second war (1983-2005) between north Muslim and south Christian. It is considered a failed state due to military government and Darfur war (2003 till date). More than 2 million people have been killed and 4 million displaced. |
23 |
Switzerland (Swiss Federation) |
26 Cantons (communes, cantons, and federal units) |
Federal democratic republic |
Bicameral – National Council 200 seats and State Council 46 members. |
|
August 1, 1291 (Old Swiss Confederacy through Federal Charter). |
It has a long history of neutrality that resulted high degrees of economic freedom and many immigrants. The UN, Red Cross, WTO etc. have established there. It joined the UN in 2002. |
24 |
United Arab Emirates |
7 Emirates |
|
Paramilitary and Maritime Police Unit. |
|
|
|
25 |
United States (United States of America) |
50 States (1 federal district, 1 incorporated territory, and 13 unincorporated territories) |
President heads the State and the Government. Tenure is four years with no more than two consecutive terms. |
Bicameral congress- Senate and House of Representatives (435 members) |
2.3 million troops (1..3 million active plus reserve and national guard). |
From Kingdom of Great Britain on July 4, 1776 |
In 2006, over $528 billion was spent by the US on military expenditure which was 46% of the entire military spending in the world. This is greater than the next fourteen largest national military expenditures combined. The proposed defense budget for 2009 is $515.4 billion; a 7% increase over 2008 and a nearly 74% increase over 2001. The estimated total cost of the Iraq war till 2016 is $2.267 trillion. As of June 6, 2008, the United States had 4,092 military personnel killed during the war and 3,000 wounded. |
26 |
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) |
23 States (1 federal dependency) |
Federal Presidential Republic. |
Unicameral national assembly with 167 deputies |
100,000 including ground, air, navy and armed forces |
From Spain on July 1811 and Gran Colombia on Mar. 30,1845 |
President to be elected to single consecutive term for the six years. Three seats at the national assembly are reserved for indigenous people. |
Critical Analysis
There are several different titles for a federation of states: (i) Federal republic – Brazil, Germany, Nepal, and Nigeria; (ii) Federation – Russia, Saint Kitts, and Nevis; (iii) Republic - Argentina, Austria, India (Indian Union), Iraq, and Sudan; (iv) Confederation – Switzerland; (v) Commonwealth – Australia; (vi) Bolivarian republic – Venezuela, (vi) Federal democratic republic – Ethiopia; (viii) Federal states – Micronesia; (ix) Federative republic – Brazil, (x) Kingdom – Belgium and the Netherlands; (xi) Union – Comoros and India; and (xii) United Mexican state – Mexico. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malaysia, Canada, United Arab States, and United States of America have none.
There are several types of federation: (i) Geographically divided federation, e.g., Switzerland, Canada, Russia, etc.; (ii) Corporate federation, e.g., Nepal, Nigeria, etc.; (iii) Unequal/mixed federation, e.g., Quebec of Canada, Sikkim and Kashmir of India, Pakistan, etc.; (iv) Confluence federation, e.g., Belgium, etc.; and (v) Union federation, e.g., US, EU, etc. It would be better if Nepal could adopt mixed federation providing greater autonomy to Karnali region and other poor, marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups or communities.
Once Nepal has constitutionally formed federal government, that is not the end but the beginning. Some countries who declared republican federation with a small number of states now have 1200% more. For example, Nigeria left federal constitutional rule despite a series of people’s movements for regional autonomy and rights to secession even as a British colony in 1954. When Nigeria attained independence in 1960, its three earlier federal regions had already become autonomous, and when it declared itself a Federal Republic in 1963, its three regions had already become independent. It has now gained 36 federal states in a 5 decade period. Sudan, which had three ethno-federal states, now has divided into 26 such states in 50 years time. India which is 2nd in terms of population had not been satisfied when it declared its self a republic through a New Constitution. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee in India and the PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, were very disappointed when they were compelled to incorporate federal states into the Constitution of India. Sardar Patel, the then powerful Home Minister, played a pivotal role in that cause. Instead of a federation of states, India wisely incorporated into a Union of 7 with 29 States . India can be called a quasi-form (unitary/federal) state, as its Constitution reserves presidential power to declare national/state emergency. It first announced self governance in 1950, and now has 22 more ethno-federal, regional, and cultural groups demanding their own identity-based federal state with autonomy.
Nepal’s federalism has been a common agenda of all caste, ethnicity, region, culture, and gender based groups. The 4th amendment of the Interim Constitution of December 2007 has incorporated it and it has now become the world’s 26th nation to unequivocally declare its self a federal republic along with Brazil, Ethiopia, Germany, and Nigeria. But, history shows that Switzerland became federal seeking greater regional autonomy, the European Union for greater regional integration, and many others for independence from colonial states or to end a unitary state mechanism composing a number of self-governing states.
In the case of Nepal, there is no clear-cut model of a federation of states from the mainstream parliamentary forces except the CPN (Maoist) along with donor driven intellectuals. It had put forward a federation of nine autonomous states during the course of the People’s War (February 13, 1996 to April 25, 2006). This has been restructured into 11 federal states and 3 federal sub-states from the earlier 9-autonomous states after the Peace Accord. They are:
- Limbuwan State Committee: Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Terhathum, and Dhankuta districts.
- Kochila State Committee: Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari districts.
- Newa State Committee: Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts.
- Tamang-Saling State Committee: Chitwan, Makawanpur, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts.
- Tamuwan State Committee: Parbat and all districts of Gandaki zone – Gorkha, Lamjung, Tanahu, Syanjya, Kaski and Manang.
- Magarat State Committee: Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Pyuthan, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Palpa, Baglung, Myagdi and Mustang districts.
- Kirant State Committee: Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, Udayapur, Khotang, Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha districts.
- Bheri-Karnali State Committee: Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Kalikot, Dolpa, Jajarkot, Dailekh and Surkhet districts.
- Tharuwan State Committee: Dang, Banke, Bardia, Kailali and Kandhanpur districts.
- Seti-Mahakali State Committee: Darchula, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Bajhang, Bajura, Achham and Doti districts.
- Madhes State Committee: Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari and Sarlahi districts as Mithila sub-state committee; Rautahat, Bara and Parsa districts as Bhojpura sub-state committee; and Nawalparasi, Rupandehi and Kapilbastu districts as Awadh sub-state committee.
Nepal is a landlocked, mountainous, multi-ethnic, and multi-lingual country similar to Switzerland. Thus the Maoists are considering the Swiss model of federation in Nepal as well. However, the Swiss incorporated 160 years ago ending the civil war between Catholic versus Liberal cantons. Nepal has different geopolitical structures, socio-cultural patters, and economic disparities.
The Swiss federation is comprised of three-fifths (64%) German-speaking, one-fifth (20%) French-speaking and 6% Italian-speaking people whereas in Nepal almost half (48%) of the population speak Nepali, 12% Maithili, 8% Bhojpuri , 6% Tharu, and 3% Awadi and so forth. Moreover, the German speaking population is predominant in 17 cantons, French in 4, and Italian in one out of 26 in Switzerland. The 2001 census of Nepal states that 113 different caste/ethnic groups exist in Nepal who speak at least 92 different dialects. That is eighteen times less than India’s 1,652 dialects. If half the population of Nepali speakers do not find a linguistic federal state in Nepal, but only those speaking Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Awadh do, could this positive discrimination not raise conflicts in the future?
The Maoists proposal is centered on ethnic, linguistic, and regional federal autonomy. The Maoist proposed Limbuwan State comprises 27% Limbu with 1.6% national population, whereas there is an equal number of Bahun and Chhetri in the same state. Of course Bahun and Chhetri are the largest population (29%) in Nepal. Kochila State is again a proposed minority state encompassing a population of 24% Rajbanshi, Satar, Harijan, Dusadh, Dhimal, Tharu, Teli, Kurmi, dhanuk, etc.
Log frame II: Federal States’ demographics in the world
SN |
Federal State |
Area in km2 |
Population |
GDP |
Ethnic group |
Mother tongue/official language |
Religions |
Literacy rate |
Remarks |
1 |
Argentina (1853) |
36,260,130 |
13,307 (23th) |
Spanish, Italian, German, Jewish, Arabs, Armenian, Irish, British, French, etc. |
Spanish |
Roman Catholic 93% |
97% |
It is second in size in South American continent after Brazil and 8th in the world. |
|
2 |
Australia (1901) |
7,741,220 (6th) |
19,855,288 |
34,359 (14th) |
British or Irish origin 90% |
English |
Secular state |
99% |
Christian 64%, No religion 19% which includes humanism, atheism, agnosticism and rationalism, non-Christian5%, and others. |
3 |
Austria (1920) |
8,032,926 |
36,000 |
German, Slovenes, Croats and Hungarians. |
German 89% locally 2% each to Hungarian, Slovenian and Croatian |
Christian 79%, no religion 12%, Muslims 4%, etc. |
99% |
9% immigrants are presently living. It’s education ranks 18th best in the world. |
|
4 |
Belgium (1990) |
30,528 (139th) |
10,296,350 (76th) |
31,400 (13th) |
Dutch, French and German |
Dutch 58%, French 32% and German |
Secular Catholic, Islam, |
98% |
There is god 43%, some sort of spirit 29%, and not believe on god 27%. |
5 |
Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992) |
51,197 |
4,377,053 |
10,714 (87th) |
Bosnian 48%, Serbs 37%, and Croats 14% |
Orthodox Muslims 40% , Orthodox Christians 31%, Roman Catholics 15%, and others. |
|
There is a strong correlation between ethnic identities. 95% Bosnians are Muslims, 95% Croats Catholics, and 95% Orthodox Christians. Tensions between the three peoples remain high due to religious differences. |
|
6 |
Brazil (1891) |
8,514,877 (5th). |
183,987,291 (5th) |
11,873 (65th) |
Multiracial and ethnic groups – White 50%, Pardo (mixed) 43%, Black 7% including 60 ethnic sub-div. |
Portuguese |
Catholic 74%, Protestant 15% and others |
88% |
Brazil possesses the largest (25 million) population of Italian origin, the largest Japanese (1.6 million) population outside of Japan, and the second largest German with 12 million. |
7 |
Canada (1867) |
9,984,670 (2nd) |
31,612,897 |
38,200 |
43 ethnic origins, every 1 in 5 are foreign born where 60% immigrants hail from Asia. |
Bilingualism - English and French although English pop. comprises 68% against 22% French |
Christians 77%, no religion 17%, others including Islam and Judaism 2%. |
99% |
It is a multi-ethnic where the largest ethnic group comprises English 21%, French 16%, Scottish 15%, Irish 14%, German 10%, Italian 5%, non-aboriginal 16%, etc. |
8 |
Comoros |
2,235 |
798,000 |
1,660 |
African-Arab origins including Malagasy, Chinese, and Indian minorities |
Trilingual – Comorian, Arabic, and French |
Sunni Islam, but Arab culture is established |
60% |
It is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean. It has an Islamic law inherited by French Napoleon le.g.al code. |
9 |
Ethiopia |
1,104,300 (27th) |
75,067,000 (16th) |
823 (175th) |
Oromo 32%, Amhara 30%, and 6% each to Tigray and Somali |
Amharic |
Christian 62%, Muslims 33% etc. |
82% |
It is one of the oldest landlocked countries in the world and 2nd most populous in Africa. 80 different ethnic groups and some of these are as few as 10,000 people. |
10 |
Germany (1919) |
357,021 (63rd) |
82,210,000 (14th) |
34,181 (23rd) |
Germans -Americans the largest ethnic group |
German It is one of the 23 official languages in EU. |
Christianity 64%, no religion 30%, Islam 4% etc. |
|
With 82 million inhabitants it comprises the largest population among the EU member states. It is home to the third highest no. of international migrants worldwide. |
11 |
India (1950) |
3,287,590 (7th) |
1,132,446,000 (2nd) 8% constitutes tribal population |
2700 (165th) |
Indo-Aryan (74%) and Dravidian (24%) population in linguistic families. |
Hindi/English. Constitution recognizes 21 local languages with 1,652 dialects |
Secular state (Hinduism 81%, Muslim 13%, Christian 2%, Buddhist 1%, etc. |
65% |
It is the most populous liberal democracy in the world. It is 12th largest economy and 2nd fastest growing large economy too. |
12 |
Iraq |
438,317 (58th) |
29,267,000 (39th) |
2,900 (61st) |
Arabs, Shia, Kurdish, and Sunnis |
Arabic, Kurdish |
Muslims 97% and others |
|
Arabs 75-80 %, Kurds 15-20%, Assyrians, Iraq, Turkmen others (5%). |
13 |
Malaysia |
329,84 |
24,821,286 |
14,400 (57th) |
62% Malays, 24% Chinese, 8% Indians and others |
Malay (Telugu, Malayalam, Chinese and Hindi) |
Secular nation, but Islam is the official religion |
|
Islam comprises 60%, Buddhism 19%, Christianity 9%, Hinduism 6%, and traditional Chinese 2.6%. |
14 |
Mexico (1917) |
1,972,550 |
103,263,388 |
12,775 (55th) |
Spanish with 62 indigenous |
Spanish 97% |
Christian 95% |
91% |
62 Indigenous Amerindian languages, but English is used for business. |
15 |
Micronesia |
702 |
107,000 |
2,000 |
Chuukese 49%, Pohnpeian 24%, Kosraean 6%, Yapese 5%, Yap 5%, Asian 2%, Polynesian 2%, others |
English |
|
|
Languages such as Ulithian, Woleaian, Yapese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean and Chuukese in the state and municipal levels). |
16 |
Nepal |
147181 |
25,000,000 |
|
Chhetri |
Nepali |
Secular |
64% |
The CA election successfully held on April 10, 2008 where the former insurgent Maoists became the largest party with 229 members (38%) out of 601. |
17 |
Netherlands |
16,408,557 |
35,078 (10th) |
Multi-ethnic groups |
Dutch 81% (English, German, and French) |
Catholic and Judaism |
100% |
It includes 81% Dutch, 2.4% Indonesian, and Germany each, etc. |
|
18 |
Nigeria (1963) |
923,768 |
148,000,000 |
1,500 |
More than 250 ethnic groups (Fulani/Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo account for 68%) |
English, but locally 521 languages with ethnic diversities |
Secular state (Islam, Christianity, Orisha and Animism) |
68% |
Four types such as English, common, customary and sharia laws are practicing. |
19 |
Pakistan |
803,940 |
132,352,279 (6th) |
3,320 |
Punjabi 45%, Pashtuns 15%, Sindhis 14%, Seraikis 8%, etc. |
English/Urdu with 7 regional languages |
Islamic republic |
86% |
It is the 6th most populous country and has the 2nd largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia. |
20 |
Russia |
145,166,731 (9th) |
14,692(54th) |
Multi-ethnic/cultural state (160 ethnic groups - Russian 80, Tatars 4, etc. |
Russian (100 native languages) |
Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism |
99.4% |
Constitution guarantees the right to make their native language co-official next to Russian. |
|
21 |
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
261 |
42,696 |
14,649 |
|
English |
|
|
It is the smallest country in the Americas – by area and population. |
22 |
Sudan |
2,505,813 (10th) |
24,940,683 |
2,522 (134th) |
597 tribes speak 400 dialects. |
Arabic and English |
Islamic republic |
|
It is the largest country in Africa and 10th largest country in the world by area. It has two distinct cultures – Arab and non Arab. |
23 |
Switzerland (1848) |
41,285 |
7,288,010 |
38,706 |
Multi-ethnic/cultural nation |
Multilingual - German, French, Italy and Romansh |
Secular state, but Christianity/Protestant dominant |
|
|
24 |
UAE |
4,588,697 |
55,200 |
Sunni and Shia |
Arabic |
|
|
5th positions in the CIA in GDP. |
|
25 |
United States (1787) |
281,421,906 |
43,444 |
World’s most diverse multi-ethnic/cultural nation |
English (82% |
76.5% Christian |
99% |
3rd or 4th world’s largest country by area. It does not have formal diplomatic relations with Cuba, Iran, N Korea, Bhutan, Taiwan, and Sudan. |
|
26 |
Venezuela |
916,445 |
23,054,210 |
12,800 |
70% Mestizo (mixed races); 20% (unmixed Caucasians); and others |
Spanish (31 indigenous languages spoken) |
Indigenous, Spanish and African, |
|
A colony of Spain from 1522-1821, it is considered as the world’s 17th most diverse culture. |
