Nepal at a Glance
Nepal is a combination of ancient history, vibrant cultures and scenic splendor. Located between China and India, Nepal's main geographical features include snow-capped peaks, lower mountains, hills and lush Terai plains of tropical jungles.
Nearly one- third of the total length of the Himalayas and 8 of the world's 14 highest peaks are in Nepal. The landlocked country covers an area 147,516 sq. kilometers (new map) ranging from 70 meter to the highest point at 8848 meters above sea level. Nepal's popularity as a tourist destination has increased greatly over the years. ]
While trekking and mountaineering have long been popular, an entire range of other activities are carried out. With the variety of adventure options, the country is a favorite among adventure lovers.
| CONTINENT: | ASIA |
| LOCATION: | SITUATED BETWEEN INDIA AND TIBET, and CHINA. 1. LATITUDE: 26* 22' AND 30* 27' NORTH 2. LONGITUDE: 80* 4' AND 88* 12' EAST |
| AREA: | 147,516 SQ.KMS |
| CAPITAL: | KATHMANDU |
| TIME ZONE: | 5 HOURS 45MINUTES AHEAD OF GMT. |
| PEOPLE: | NEPAL HAS MORE THAN 100 ETHNIC GROUPS AND OVER 125 SPOKEN LANGUAGES |
| POPULATION: | ABOUT 28.5 MILLION |
| POPULATION GROWTH RATE: | 2.25 PER ANNUM |
| CURRENCY: | NEPALI RUPEES (APPROXIMATELY US$ 1 EQUAL TO 100) |
| LANGUAGE: | NEPALI IS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE HOWEVER TRAVELS TRADE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND SPEAK ENGLISH AS WELL. |
| POLITICAL SYSTEM: | FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF NEPAL |
| TOPOGRAPHY: | FROM THE WORLD'S DEEPEST GORGE “KALI- GANDAKI TO THE HIGHEST POINT ON EARTH” THE EVEREST. |
| VEGETATION: | NEPAL POSSESSES WIDE RANGE OF VEGETATION DUE TO ITS UNIQUE TOPOGRAPHICAL VARIATION. |
| WEATHER: | THE CLIMATE RANGES FROM TROPICAL IN THE LOW LANDS TO ARCTIC IN HIGHER ALTITUDES. |
| SEASON: | NEPAL HAS FOUR MAJOR SEASONS:- 1) WINTER (DECEMBER – FEBRUARY) 2)SPRING (MARCH-MAY) 3)SUMMER (JUNE – AUGUST) 4)AUTUMN ( SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER) NEPAL CAN BE VISITED THE WHOLE YEAR-ROUND. |
| WHAT TO WEAR: | THE LIGHTWEIGHT CLOTH IS RECOMMENDED FOR MAY THROUGH OCTOBER, THE WARM GARMENT IS REQUIRED IN OCTOBER – MARCH, AN UMBRELLA OR RAINCOAT IS MUST FOR THE RAINY SEASON. |
| MONSOON: | MOSTLY RAINS DAY AND NIGHT, MAKING FOLLOWING DAYS CRISPY CLEAN AND FRESH. MOST OF THE NORTHERN BELT OF THE TRANS- HIMALAYAN ZONE IS RAIN SHADOWED AND IDEAL FOR TREKKING ESPECIALLY SUCH AS UPPER MUSTANG, DOLPO, MANASLU, AROUND ANNAPURNA ETC. |
| POLITICAL SYSTEM: | NEPAL HAS BEEN DECLARED A FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC STATE ON MAY 28, 2008, DURING THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY A MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY SINCE 1990 |
| NATIONAL FLOWER: | RED RHODODENDRON (LALIGURASH) |
| NATIONAL ANIMAL: | COW |
| NATIONAL BIRD: | DAFE (IMPEYAN PHEASANT) / LOPHOPHORUS |
| WORLD HERITAGE SITE (CULTURAL): | 1, KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE 2, PASHUPATINATH 3, BOUDHANATH 4, SWAYAMBHUNATH (MONKEY TEMPLE) 5, CHAGUNARAYAN 6, PATAN DURBAR SQUARE 7, BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE 8, LUMBINI |
| WORLD HERITAGE SITE (NATURAL): | 1. SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK (EVEREST REGION) 2. ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK |