A Brief Description

Nepal, the fabled land of Buddha, Hindu temples, and unrivaled mountain scenery, was controlled by a myriad of factions since the 4th century.

The modern Nepalese state began in the late 18th century when King Prithvi Narayah Shah successfully unified most of the individual ethnic groups and small principalities into one entity.

In search of additional lands, Nepal ventured into India, subsequently losing part of its own territory to British India, but retaining its independence.

Nepal was at the time controlled by a monarch (for life and by hereditary right), but in 1951, the Nepalese monarch (under great pressure) ended that system of rule, and instituted a cabinet system of government.

Only one year after the country's first election in 1959, King Kahendra dismissed the cabinet, dissolved parliament and banned political parties.

Since 1990, turmoil and Nepal have traveled hand-in-hand, as a bloody insurgency, a royal family massacre and assorted governmental conflicts and squabbles have dominated the headlines. In early 2005 (once again) the king dissolved the government and assumed power.

In this poor country the tourism industry was once a significant economic force, as backpackers, river rafters, mountain climbers and nature lovers trekked to Nepal in large numbers.

For the most part, the on-going fighting between the Maoist insurgency and government forces has devastated much of its worldwide tourism base, and yet, it remains on the front-burner of many adventure travelers, and certainly in the mind's of all those that have previously ventured into Nepal.

For additional info on Nepal's history, go here

Nyatapola Temple, Bhaktapur, Nepal
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Facts and Figures

Name Nepal

(long form) Kingdom of Nepal

Population 27,676,500

Population & Density (all countries) here

Capital City Kathmandu (1.3 million)

Languages Nepali (48%), Maithali (12%), English, and over 90 additional (mother tongue) languages.

Flag here

National Day July 7

Official Currency Nepalese Rupee (NPR)

Currency Converter
here

Religions Hindu (80%), Buddhist (10%), others

Geographic Coordinates

Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
27º 42' N, 85º 19' E

Relative Location Nepal is in both the northern and eastern hemispheres. It's a landlocked country positioned on the Indian subcontinent of South Asia, and bordered by China (Tibet) and India.

Land Statistics

Coastline 0 (landlocked)

Land Areas

(land) 52,819 sq miles (136,800 sq km)

(water) 1,544sq miles (4,000 sq km)

(TOTAL) 54,363 sq miles (140,800 sq km)

Land Area (all countries) here

Mt Everest, Nepal
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Landforms
Mountains and rugged hills cover almost 75% of Nepal’s land area, and in general terms, there are three distinct horizontal regions:

The Tarai Region (in the south) along the border with India, is a low stretch of land and Nepal's most significant agricultural region.

The Hill Region (central) consists of mountains, hills, flatland and deep valleys, with elevations ranging from 600 to 3,000 meters.

The Himalayan Region (north) contains 202 mountains rising to more than 6,000 meters, and 13 mountains rising to more than 8,000 meters high, including, of course, Mt Everest, the world’s highest mountain, and the enormous Annapurna massif.

The snow-covered mountains are replete with cold water rivers; the four major ones (from west to east) are the Kail, Karnali, Narayani and Kosi.

Highest Point Mt. Everest - 29,035 ft. (8,850 m)

Lowest Point Kanchan Kalan, in the southeastern Tarai Region - 229 ft. (70 m)

Land Divisions 14 zones, including: Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha and Seti.



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Maps

Nepal (large color) map here

Nepal Outline Map here

Nepal Map CIA version here

Nepal Maps at UT here

Tibet Map shows Tibet's location in China, large and clear Tibet city maps, Tibet Area map, and tourist maps of Tibet.

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Asia Continent (printable) here

Asia Outline Map here

Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here

Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here

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Indian Subcontinent Map here

Middle East Landforms here

Middle East Map here

Middle East Outline Map here

Middle East Rivers here

Tsunami Map (December 2004) here

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World Outline Maps (printable) here

World Time Zone Map here
Rafting on the Kosi River, Nepal
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Recommended Links

Tibet Travel offering first-hand and up-to-date Tibet travel information - tours, maps, climate, transportation, accommodation, Tibetan Buddhism & people - for those who are to plan a trip to Tibet.

Other Links

China (Complete) info on the (GDP)
economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here!

Nepal Embassy (Washington DC)
here

Nepal Photos at TrekEarth.com here

Nepal Tourism
here

Annapurna
here

Mt. Everest (PBS)
here

Visit Nepal
here

Time and Weather


Climate
Nepal's weather conditions and precipitation vary with elevation, ranging from tropical in the Tarai region of the south, to alpine and tundra in the central and northern mountain areas.

Year round temperatures run from 32° F to 115° F in the Tarai Region; 0° F to 74° F in the Hill Region, and from -25° F to 60° F in the Himalayan region.

Most of the precipitation falls during the monsoon season (June - September), while (March - May) is normally warm (hot in the south) and dry, and from (mid-October - February), conditions are usually dry and cold.

Winters in Nepal are very cold and often windy in the mountains. Summer high temperatures do reach the high 60s and low 70s F, but wide variations are commonplace.

A view of Annapurna, Nepal
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Traveler Information

Nepal's people are friendly (always smiling) and very welcoming; the country's trekking, river rafting and mountaineering venues are second to none, and the mysterious capital city of Kathmandu and its royal palace are a "must see." Nepal is a spiritual journey, as Buddhist shrines and Hindu temples are inspiring stops along the way, however...

Western travelers are now frequently urged by their governments to defer non-essential travel to Nepal at this time. Travel via road in some areas outside of the Kathmandu Valley continues to be dangerous and should be avoided. On June 6, 2005 Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) members detonated a landmine underneath a crowded bus in the Chitwan district, killing or injuring over a hundred people. In addition, there have been attacks in the countryside involving foreigners. Maoist extortion of tourists along some popular hiking trails continues. Trekkers and other individuals who resist Maoist extortion demands are threatened, sometimes assaulted and risk being detained.

Tibet Travel offering first-hand and up-to-date Tibet travel information - tours, maps, climate, transportation, accommodation, Tibetan Buddhism & people - for those who are to plan a trip to Tibet.

Country Dialing Code 977

Electricity Nepal uses 230 volts AC (50 cycles)

Electrical adapters, products and tips here

Travel Warnings
here

Visa Information
here

PLEASE NOTE:
Before making travel plans for any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate important details regarding visas, local health care, customs, etc.

We always find it helpful to contact the nearest consulate of any country before beginning a journey into a foreign land.

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British Indian
Ocean Terr.

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