In common usage, the name Mustang refers to the arid, Tibet-like region, known to its inhabitants as Lo, at hte northern end of the Kali Gandaki, Mustang is projbably a Nepali mispronunciation of the name of the capital of Lo, the city of Mantang. The name is pronounced 'moo-staang' and has nothing to do with either the automobil or the horse with a similar name. Officially, Mustang is the name of the distirct along the Kali Gandaki form the Tibetan border south to Ghasa. The capitl of the Mustang district is Jomsom; the restricted area of Tibetan influence is ntorh of Kagbeni, and is generally teferred to as upper Mustang.

Upper Mustang conisits of two distinct regions; The southern region, with five villages inhabited by people related to ht Managis; and the norhthrn region (the ancient kingdom of Lo), wher the language, culture and traditions are almost prurly Tibetan. The capital of lo is named Manthang, which translates form the Tibetan as ';lain of aspiration'. Many texts refer to the capital as Lo Manthagn, but this is not strictly correct. Other texts spell the name of the kingdom as Lho, but this is a translitera-also incorrect. Thus the portion of the upper Mustang district notrh of Samar is Loa and its capital is Manthang. The king of Lo is the Lo Gyelbu, though I use the Nepali term raja here. To avoid total confusion with existing maps and textx, I also refer to the capital of Lo as 'Lo Manthang'.

There are many complex issues relating to the developement of upper Mustang and dthe procedures under which trekkers are allowed to visit the area. I have ot attempted to address these in detail here. Change and developement will come to LO regardless of the degree of protectionthat is extended. Despite their isolation, the people of Lo are worldly, well travelled and resourceful. They are essentially Tibetans and are skilful tranders. travellers and merchants. One hopes that they can retain their rtaditions under an influx of tourist, but they are by no means a primitive tribe that must be proteted from outside influence. The annapurna Conservation Area Project(ACAP), the international aid organistion CARE and the American Himalayan Foundaton are involved in developement, cultural preservation and environmental activities in uppen Mustang.