Nepal General Information
Nepal has been a tourist's paradise for many years. A country of amazing
attractions, both natural and man-made, it offers a memorable experience
for every visitor. Besides sharing its geographical borders with India
and China, Nepal also shares history with its two giant neighbors. It
was influenced to a large extent by the same incidents that proved to
be turning points in the history of India and China.
Nepal is situated in the central region of the Greater Himalaya.It has
a rich geography. The mountainous north has eight of the world's ten tallest
mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest, called
Sagarmatha in Nepali. It contains more than 240 peaks over 20,000 ft (6,096
m) above sea level.[7] The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized.and
it contains more of the world’s highest mountains than any other country.
It is rich in scenic splendor and cultural treasures with a b historic
tradition having population of more than 25 million people of different
religion and Culture.
Enchantment is everywhere, be it on the shoulders of high mountains, or
terraced farmlands meticulously carved like stairways on the hill sides,
or cascading mountain rivulets and rushing rivers, or in forests full
of wildlife, flowers and bird song. In Nepal, something for everybody:
tourist, trekker, river rafter, wildlife enthusiast, poet, artist, writer,
and scholar. The kingdom has long exerted a pull on the Western imagination
and it's a place difficult to dislodge from your memory once you return.
This is why so many travelers are drawn back to Nepal every year.
Click Here For Nepal Map
| Official Name: | Nepal Government |
| Area: | 147,181 sq km |
| Population: | 27 million |
| Capital city: | Kathmandu (pop. 1,096,865 ) |
| People: | Bramhans, Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas etc. |
| Language: | Nepali (also called Gurkhali) |
| Religion: | 90% Hindu, 5% Buddhist, 3% Muslim, 2% other |
| GDP: | US$26.2 billion |
| GDP per head: | US$1100 |
| Annual growth: | 4.9% |
| Inflation: | 7.8% |
| Major industries: | Tourism, pasmina, carpet, textile, small rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, cement and brick production, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, water, buffalo meat |
| Unit of Currency: | Rupee(Rs.) |
| Highest Elevation: | Mt. Everest 8,848m (29,028 ft) |
| Lowest: | 70m. (near Janakpur) |
| Average temperature in Kathmandu: | January: Minimum 2.2 C (36F); Maximum 17.8 C (64F); June: Minimum 26.7 C (80F); Maximum 32.2 C (90 F); |
| Rainfall: | 1,520 mm. |
| Topography: | The world’s deepest gorge kali Gandaki to highest point the Everest 8848mt. |
| Longitude: | 80° 4' and 88° 12' East |
| Latitude: | 26° 12' and 30° 27' North |
| Power: | 220 volt, AC, in large lowland town |
| Time: | GMT+5 and three quarter hr. |
Flora and Fauna:
Nepal’s flora and fauna can be divided into four major region they are:
1. Tropical Deciduous Monsoon Forest:
2. Subtropical Mixed Evergreen Forest
3. Temperate Evergreen Forest
4. Sub alpine and Alpine Zone
Ranging from the subtropical forest of the terai to the great peak of
the Himalayas in the north, Nepal abounds with some of the most spectacular
sceneries in the whole of Asia, with a verity of fauna and flora also
unparalleled elsewhere in the region. Between Nepal geographical extremes,
one may fine every vegetation type, from the treeless steppes of the trans-Himalayan
region in the extreme north and the birch, silver fir, larch and hemlock
of the higher valleys to the oak, pine and rhododendron of the intermediate
altitudes and the great sal and sissau forests of the south.
1. Tropical Deciduous Monsoon forest:
This includes the terai plains and broad falt valleys or duns found between
successive hill ranges. The dominant tree species of this area are sal
(Shorea Robusta), sometimes associated with semal (Bombax malabricum),
Asna (Terminalia termentosa), Dalbergia spp and other species, and pinus
rosburghi occurring on the higher ridges an altitude of 1800m. Tall coarse
two-meter high elephant grass originally covered much of the Dun valleys
but has now been largely replaced by agricultural settlements. This tropical
zone is Nepal richest area for wildlife with gaurs, buffaloes, four species
found in the forest area rhinoceros, swamp deer and hot deer found in
the valley grassland and two species of crocodile and the Gangetic dolphin
inhabiting the rivers.
2. Subtropical Mixed Evergreen Forest:
This includes the Mahabharat Lekh, which rises to a highest of about 2400m
and comprises the outer wall of the Himalayan range. Great rivers such
as the Karnali, Narayani, and Sapta koshi flow through this area into
the broad plains of the terai. This zone also includes the so-called o
middle hills which extend northwards in a somewhat confused maze of ridges
and valley to the foot of the great Himalayas. This zone is generally
poor in wildlife. The only mammals, which are at all widely distributed,
are wild boar, barking deer, serow, ghoral and bears. Different varieties
of birds are also found in this zone.
3. Temperate Evergreen Forest:
Northward, on the lower slopes and spurs of the great Himalayas, oaks
andpines are the dominant species up to an altitude of about 2400m above
which are found dense conifer forest including picea, tusga, Larix and
Abies spp. The latter is usually confined to higher elevations with Betula
typically marking the upper limit of the tree line. At abut 3600 to 3900m,
commonly associated with the coniferous zone. The red panda is among the
more interesting of the mammals found in this zone; it appears to be fairly
distributed in suitable areas of the forest above 1800m. the rich and
varied avifauna of this region includes several spectacular and beautiful
pheasants, including the Danfe pheasant, Nepal national bird.
4. Sub alpine and Alpine Zone:
Above the tree line, rhododendron, juniper scrub and other procumbent
woody vegetation may extend to about 4200m where it is then succeeded
by a tundra like association of short grasses, sedge mosses and alpine
plants wherever there is sufficient soil. This continues up to the lower
limit of perpetual snow and ice at abut 5100m. The mammalian faun is sparse
and unlikely to include any species other than Himalayan marmots, mouse
hare, tahr, musk deer, snow leopard and occasionally blue sheep. In former
times, the wild yak and great Tibetan sheep could also be sighted in this
region and it is possible that a few may still be surviving in areas such
as Dolpa and Humla. The bird life at such a lammergeyer, snowcock, snowpatridge,
choughs and bunting, with redstarts and dippers often seen along the streams
and rivulets. Yaks are the only livestock, which thrive at high altitude.
Nepal Rivers:
Nepal’s rivers can be broadly divided into three categories in accordance
with their origins. The first category comprises the three main river
systems of the country the koshi, Gandaki and karnali river systems, all
of them originating from glaciers and snow-fed lakes.
The koshi river system consists of the Tamur, Arun, Dudhkoshi, Likhu,
Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi and indravati rivers. Of these, the Arun and Sunkoshi
originate in Tibet. The confluence of these rivers is at Tribeni. The
confluence of these rivers is at Tribeni (near Dharan) in sagarmatha zone.
The Gandaki river system in central Nepal consists of the kaligandaki,
Budhigandaki, Marsyanghi, Trishuli, Seti, Madi and Daraundi rivers. The
kaligandaki is the longest river and the Trishuli, the main tributary
of this system.
The kaligandaki originates in Mustang and converges with the trushuli
at deoghat in chitwan. The river is then called the Narayani and goes
on to meet the Ganges. The carnal river system in western Nepal consists
of the Hulma Carnal, Mugu carnal, Seti and Bheri rivers and is the longest
river system in the country.
Rivers like the Mechi, Mahakali, Bagmati, kamala, Rapti, etc. most of
which have their origin in the Mahabharat range, constitute the rivers
of the second category. The Bagmati, which rises at Bagdwar and drains
out through the chobhar gorge, is the principal river of the kathmandu
valley.
Glaciers of Nepal:
The Himalayan region abounds in glaciers. Most of the big glaciers lie
in the eastern Himalayans. As the western Himalayas receive only a small
amount of rainfall, barring the formation of vast snowfields, the source
of some of the big rives of nepal are in fact glaciers.
Nepals largest glacier lies in the mahalangur and the Kunbhakarna ranges.
Khumbu is the biggest glacier and Langtang the longest. Kanchenjunga,
Yalung, Nupchu and Langtang are some other glaciers belonging to the eastern
Himalayans. Tukche and hidden valley glaciers belong to the central Himalayas
but these are comparatively small. Eating into the land long their course,
the glaciers have been partly responsible for changing the Himalayan landscape,
and for evolving various geo-patterns ranging from big cirques and rock
basins to hanging valleys and morainic ridges.
National Parks:
1. Bardia National Park (968 sq. kms.)
2. Langtang National Park (1710 sq. kms.)
3. Shey-phoksundo National Park (355 sq km.)
4. Rara National Park (106 sq kms.)
5. Khapted National Park (255 sq. kms.)
6. Makalu- Barun National Park (2330 sq.kms.)
7. Chitwan National Park (932 sq. kms.)
6. Sagarmatha National Park (2330 sq.kms.)
Wildlife Reserve:
1. Sukla phanta Reserve (305 sq kms)
2. Parsa Reserve (499 sq kms.)
3. Koshi-Tappu Reserve (175 sq kms.)
Conservatin Areas:
1. Annapurna (2600 sq. kms.)
2. Makalu- Barun (2330 sq kms.)
Hunting Reserve:
Dhorpatan (1325 sq kms.)
Endangered Species:
This country harbors one of the world best habitat for one horned rhino,
Royal Bengal tiger, Show-Leopard, Clounded- Leopard, Red panda, Blud-sheep
and long snouted fish eating Gharial. Other wildlife includes wild elephant,
buffaloes, bisons, blue bell, Brown bear, sloth bear, Leopard, Crocodiles
and many varieties of cat, dog, deer and antelope families.
Political System:
Multi-Party Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy.
Religion:
Nepal enjoys the distinction of being the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. However, there is a harmonious blending of Hinduism and Buddhism.Apart from the Hindus ans Bubbists ,Muslim forms the third largest religious group.
Geography:
According to the geographical territory Nepal is divided into three main
region Himalayan region, mountain region and terai region. The Himalayan
Region : The altitude of this region ranges between 4877 meters and 8848
meters with the snow line running around 4848 meters. It includes 8 of
the 14 summits in the world which exceed an altitude of 8000 meters. (1)
Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) 8848 m, (2) Kanchenjunga - 8586 m, (3) Lhotse
- 8516m, Makalu - 8463m, (5) ChoOyo- 8201 m, (6) Dhaulagiri - 8167m, (7)
Manaslu - 8163m, and Annapurna- 8091 m.
Mountain Region: This region accounts for about 64 percent to total land
area. It is formed by the Mahabharata range that soars up to 4877 meters.
To its south lies the lower Churia range whose altitude varies from 610
meters to 1524 meters.
Terai Region : 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 country. Kechanakawal the lowest point
of the country with an altitude of 70 meters lies in Jhapa District of
the eastern Terai.
Himalayan Region:
The region accounts for about 15% of the total land area. The altitude
of this region ranges between 4,877m.-8,848m. It includes eight of the
14 highest summits in the world which exceed an altitude of 8,000m including
Mt. Everest, Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri and others.
Mountain Region:
The region accounts for about 68% of the total land area. it is formed
by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4,877m and lower churia range.
Terai Region:
The low-land Terai Occupies about 17% of the total land area of the country.
Environment of Nepal:
The dramatic differences in elevation found in Nepal result in a variety of biomes, from tropical savannas along the Indian border, to subtropical broadleaf and coniferous forests in the Hill Region, to temperate broadleaf and coniferous forests on the slopes of the Himalaya, to montane grasslands and shrublands and rock and ice at the highest elevations.
At the lowest elevations is the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion. These form a mosaic with the Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, which occur from 500 to 1,000 metres (1,600 to 3,300 ft) and include the Inner Terai Valleys. Himalayan subtropical pine forests occur between 1,000 and 2,000 metres (3,300 and 6,600 ft).
Above these elevations, the biogeography of Nepal is generally divided from east to west by the Gandaki River. Ecoregions to the east tend to receive more precipitation and to be more species-rich. Those to the west are drier with fewer species.
From 1,500 to 3,000 metres (4,900 to 9,800 ft), are temperate broadleaf forests: the eastern and western Himalayan broadleaf forests. From 3,000 to 4,000 metres (9,800 to 13,000 ft) are the eastern and western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests. To 5,500 metres (18,000 ft) are the eastern and western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows.
Nepal Climate
Nepal’s weather is generally predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons:
(a) Spring : March-May
(b) Summer : June-August
(c) Autumn : September-November
(d) Winter : December-February.
The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80 per cent of the rain falls during that period, so the remainder of the year is dry. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; winter temperatures drop to freezing with a high level of snowfall in the mountains. Summer and late spring temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) in the hill regions to more than 40ºC (104ºF) in the Terai. In winter, average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7ºC (45ºF) to a mild 23ºC (74ºF). The central valleys experience a minimum temperature often falling bellow freezing point and a chilly 12ºC (54ºF) maximum. Much colder temperatures prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1310m (4297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19-27ºC (67-81ºF) in summer, and 2-20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.
History:
Nepal has always been an independent and sovereign country with glorious
history, culture and tradition that date back to time immemorial. Before
the campaign of national integration was included by king Prithivi Narayan
Shah, the great, the Katmandu valley was ruled by the malla kings, whose
contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique.
In 1372, Katmandu’s king, Jayasthiti Malla, took over the neighboring
city-state of Patan, and, a decade later, the city-state of Bhaktapur.
The newly unified Katmandu Valley kingdom expanded tremendously during
the reign of his successor, King Yaksha Malla. By the middle of the next
century, Nepal’s borders extended southwards to the Ganga River, and north
deep into Tibet. During this time, the caste system became entrenched
as an attractive method of social stability, ensuring the Malla reign.
However, after his death in 1482, Nepal once again split up into many
small states. The situation lasted for almost two centuries. In the 18th
century, a new dynasty came to power.
Prithivi Narayan Shah, born in Gorkha came to power in the Gorkha Kingdom
and set about to unify the many princely states in reaction to colonialism.
He gradually extended his power until finally, in 1768; he conquered the
Katmandu Valley and established the modern nation of Nepal. Barely 20
years later, had war broken out between Nepal and China over Tibet. Lasting
nearly a decade, the Nepalese were defeated and forced to sign a treaty
that obligated them to pay annual homage to the Chinese. This tribute
continued for over a century and ended only in 1912.
Culture
Himalayan kingdom has the richest and most diverse culture landscapes anywhere. Nepal is the holy land of Lord Pashupatinath and Gautam Buddha where the Hindus and Buddhists have lived together in harmony for centuries. The Temple of Pashupatinath is Nepal/s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the four most important cities in the world for Shiva worshippers. Lord Buddha, the light of Asia, was born in Lumbini in Nepal/s southern plains, which makes Nepal a scared pilgrimage destination for Buddhists as well.The rich tapestry of the cultural heritage of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu Valley. The three ancient cities of the Valley Patan, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur represent an epitome of harmony in urban design, elegant architecture and refined culture. These cities pack a concentration of religious monuments unequalled in the world. Don/t miss the seven monument zones named as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO all situated within the small confines of the Valley.
Adding dazzling color to Nepal/s myriad attractions are the many festivals that dot the calendar. Join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs. Go for village tours and visit the multi-ethnic groups to get first hand experience of their customs and lifestyles.
As eating is a special affair in Nepal, there is food for each and every
occasion and festival. Kathmandu offers an incredible selection of dining
opportunities. There are many restaurants that serve only authentic Nepali
food complete with ethnic ambience.
