ETHNICITY

Nepal has a very diverse network of cultures, languages and ethnicity just as its diverse geographical locations and topography. In the northern regions or in the high altitude Himalayan regions, live the Tibetan-speaking groups namely Sherpas, Dolpas, Lopas, Baragaonlis, Manangis. The Sherpas are mainly found in the east in the Solu and Khumbu  region; the Baragaonlis and Lopas live in the semi-deserted areas of Upper and Lower Mustang in the Tibetan rain-shadow area; the Managis live in Manang district area; while the Dolpos live in Dolpa district of West Nepal, one of the highest settlements on our planet at 4,000 meters.
A diverse set of ethnic groups live in the middle mountain ranges, hills and the valleys. Diverse ethnic groups living together in harmony may be noted as a great tradition of the middle hills and valleys. The following groups of people are commonly found living in the mid-hills: Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs, Brahmans and Chhetris. Brahmans and Chhetris are comparatively larger communities and their dominance in various walks of life in Nepal is noticeable. Other occupational groups of people are Damai (tailor), Sarki (cobbler), Kami (blacksmith) and Sunar (goldsmiths).
The Kathmandu Valley represents a cultural cauldron of the country, where, people from varied backgrounds live together. It is model area of cultural dilution, a melting pot of Nepal. The  natives of Kathmandu Valley are the Newars. They are generally termed as one ethnic group these days, but it is, in fact, a diluted and integrated nation of diverse ethnic groups of people who came to Kathmandu valley at different times in course of the history. Newari culture is also an integration of both Hinduism and Buddhism.
The main ethnic groups in the low-land plain areas of Nepal, popularly known as Terai, are the  Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Rajbanshi. There are many other  groups like Majhi (fishermen), Kumhal (potter) and Danuwar (cart driver), Dhimal (???)  etc.The following population breakdown shows the broad picture of major ethnic groups of Nepal.
POPULATION OF MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS                                                     

ETHNIC GROUP POPULATION
BRAHMAN                                      23,88,455
CHHETRI                                          29,68,082
CHEPANG                                            36,656
GURUNG                                            4,49,189
LIMBU 2,97,186
MUSLIM 6,53,055
MAGAR 13,39,308
NEWAR 10,41,090
RAI 5,25,551
RAUTE 2,878
SHERPA 1,10,358
THARU 11,94,224
THAKURI 2,99,473
THAKALI 13,731
TAMANG 10,18,252