Nepal's acronym of Never Ending Peace And Love, does well to characterise this nation of good natured and accommodating people; a land of majestic Himalayan scenery comprising eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Mt Everest: the uppermost place on earth at 29,029ft (8,848m).Situated between India and Tibet, the Kingdom of Nepal is filled with as many different ethnic groups, customs and traditions as it is diverse in geography. From the hot Indian plains and steamy southern Tarai lowlands, the terrain crosses the Kathmandu Valley and rises to the frozen heights of the Himalayan peaks towards the Tibetan plateau known as the 'roof of the world'. Spreads across these varied altitudes are communities of colorful cultures and people (many untouched by modern development), animated cities and towns, and far-flung mountain villages. Life here revolves around an intricate intermingling of ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious rituals. Numerous festivals are celebrated throughout the year coloured by a diversity of religious and tribal traditions. The capital of Kathmandu brings an assortment of these different societies together into a vibrant collection of brilliant sights and exotic smells, with modern shops co-existing with street sellers, while pyramidal Buddhist temples, holy Sadhus of the Hindu faith and medieval palace squares fill the urban landscape.
Nepal, which is officially known as the Kingdom of Nepal is situated in South Asia, surrounded by the Mighty Himalayas, where seven of the world's highest mountain peaks are found. Nepal is a landlocked country, with Tibet (China) forming it's northern frontier and India on its southern, eastern and western border. The typical landscape of Nepal spans from the highest, snow-capped mountains of the Himalaya on the North, to green hills and valleys and then to the plains (Terai) on the south. Nepal has a diverse culture - with more than a dozen ethnic groups, speaking a multitude of different languages and local dialects. It is the only country where two of the world's greatest religions: Hinduism and Buddhism mutually co-exist and overlap, without any ethnic or religious strife. 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. 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 Mahabharat, 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 most exhilarating titles with which Nepal has been admired and praised by various renowned travel writers in recognition of her cultural richness.
Glimpse
Area: - 147, 181sq.km
Population: - 22 million
Capital: - Katmandu .
Currency: - Nepalese rupees
People: - Nepal has more than 61 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages.
- 8 % of the world's population of birds (more than 848 species)
- 4 % of mammals on earth (180 species)
- 11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species)
- 30 species of large wild life.
Climate: The Nepalese 4 seasons are
- Winter: December –February
- Spring: march-may
- Summer (Monsoon): June – September
- Autumn: October-November
Features of Nepal
- Living cultural Museum
- Shangri-La
- Roof of the World
- Birth place of the Apostle of Peace
- Country of Living Goddess
- City of Golden Pagodas and Parasols
- Himalayan Pilgrimage
- Nature amphitheatre
- Melting pot of Hinduism and Buddhism
- A tiny Nation of 103 ethnic groups and 93 spoken languages
- Birth place of Sita
- Abode of Shiva
- Land of Mysticism & Exoticism
- Land of non-stop festivals is explicit and self-explanatory. They tell the world about our incomparable & prosperous cultural heritage.
occupying Space: - 0.1% of the earth - is home to
- 2% of all the flowering plants in the world
- 8% of the world's population of birds (more than 848 species)
- 4% of mammals on earth
- 11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species)
- 600 indigenous plant families
- 319 species of exotic orchids
Entry / Exit points
- International Airport, Kathmandu
- Kakarbhitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
- Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
- Kodari ( Northern Boarder, Central Nepal)
- Belhia , Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
- Jamunaha, Nepalgunj ( Banke, Mid-Western Nepal)
- Mohana, Dhandadhi ( Kailali, Far-western Nepal)
- Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far-Western Nepal)
Geographical & Physical features
Nepal is a land of scenic beauty with unrivaled attraction. The sovereign and ever independent country situated in the southern slopes of the glorious mountains having frontiers with both the the Tibet, an autonomous region of the people republic of China in the North and India in The South, East and west an area of 147,181 sq.km. The land extends up to 880 km east to west and 145 km to 241 km north to south. The country due to its geographical variation is divided into three main geographical regions.
Nepal is divided into three physical regions. They are Himalayan, Hilly and terai regions. A brief data of them is as follows.
| Region |
Area |
Population |
Altitude |
Climate |
| Himalaya |
15 % |
7.3% |
4877-8848 m |
Cold & Dry |
| Hilly |
68 % |
46 % |
610-4877 m |
Mild |
| Terai |
17 % |
46.7 % |
60-610 m |
Hot & Humid |
Himalayan Region
This region comprises about 15 % of the total land area.The altitude of this region is above 5,000 m. The region encompasses eight of the 14 highest summits of the world crossing over an altitude of 8,000 m. including Everest, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri and so on.
The altitude of this region ranges between 4877 meters and 8848 meters with the snow line running around 8848 meters. It includes 8 of the existing 14 summits in the world which exceed an altitude of 8000 meters. They represent. (1) Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) 8848 m, (2) Kanchanjanga - 8586 m, (3) Lhotse - 8516m, Makalu - 8463m, (5) Cho Oyo- 8201 m, (6) Dhaulagiri - 8167m, (7) Manaslu - 8163m, and Annapurna- 8091 m.
Mountain & Hilly Region:
This region accounts for about 68 % of the total land area. The region lies between the Himalayan and Terai regions soaring up to 4,877 m. This region accounts for about 64 percent to total land area. The Mahabharat range that rises to 4877 meters forms the region. To its south lies the lower Churia range whose altitude varies from 610 meters to 1524 meters.
Terai Region:
The low-land that occupies about 17 % of the total land area of the country. Its elevation ranges from 70 to 200 m with sub tropical climate. It extends from the Nepal India border in the south of the base of Siwalik Hills ( churia) in the North.
The low-land Terai region which has a width of about 26 to 32 kilometers and a maximum altitude of 305 meters, which occupies about 17% of total land area of the nation. Kechanakawal the lowest point of the country with an altitude of 70 meters lies in Jhapa District of the eastern Terai
Climate & Weather
Nepals climate is influenced by maritime and continental factors, and has four distinct seasons. Spring lasts from March to May, and is warm with rain showers and temperatures around 22°C. Summer, from June to August, is the monsoon season when the hills turn lush and green. Temperatures can get quite warm, up to 30°C and more during heat waves. During this season, trekking in most of Nepal is difficult and uncomfortable, the trails being very muddy. Autumn, from September to November, is cool with clear skies and is the most popular season for trekking. Temperatures are not too warm, with daily maxima about 25°C and cool nights with minima of 10°C, it usually does not rain for more that one or two days during the entire autumn and the winter season. In winter, from December to February, it is cold at night with temperatures sometimes below zero. However, the maximum temperatures can still reach up to 20°C. Then the mountains are covered with snow including some high hills.
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.Nepal has two seasons - the dry season from October to May and the rainy, monsoon season from June to September. Early spring (March to April) and late autumn (October and November) are the best times to visit, and also offer the clearest mountain views and good weather for trekking. From December to February there is snow on the mountains with freezing temperatures at high altitudes, while the summer months of June to August can be very hot for general travel.
Approx weather list of kathmandu
| Kathmandu |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Rainfall (mm) |
25 |
25 |
75 |
50 |
100 |
225 |
375 |
360 |
175 |
50 |
10 |
10 |
| Rainfall (inches) |
0.9 |
0.9 |
2.9 |
1.9 |
3.9 |
8.8 |
14.7 |
14.1 |
6.8 |
1.9 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
| Avg Temp (°C) |
8 |
11 |
16 |
20 |
22 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
18 |
14 |
10 |
| Avg Temp (°F) |
48 |
53 |
61 |
68 |
73 |
74 |
74 |
74 |
72 |
66 |
58 |
51 |
The climate of Nepal varies from warm summers with mild winters in the low-lying southern region, to alpine conditions with very severe winters in the mountains. Between December and February temperatures drop well below freezing in the mountains. The best time to travel to Nepal for trekking is in early spring or late autumn, when the weather is dry and temperatures mild. The monsoon season on the coast occurs between June and September.
History & 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. |
