About Nepal
INTRODUCTION:
Heaven on Earth Sandwiched between China in the north and India in the south, Nepal is a country of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments, exotic wildlife and diverse culture. Lord Buddha was born over 2,500 years ago in this land of Mount Everest. Recorded history of Nepal begins with the Lichhavis who came to power in 400 AD.
Nepal is blessed with an incredible diversity of natural beauty and a consequent opulence of cultural varieties and at the same time she can offer new heights in conference facilities and incentive opportunities with the Himalaya as a backdrop. Nepal is the “Land of Paradise” for tourists, treks and mountaineering expeditions. The natural landscape of Nepal Mountains, rivers, glacial lakes, forests and wild animals are major resources for its tourism industry. The famous Himalayan range, favorable climate and the hospitality of the Nepalese people and their culture are also major attractions.
The most exhilarating titles with which Nepal has been admired and praised by various renowned travel writers in recognition of her cultural richness, viz., Living cultural Museum, Shangri-La, Roof of the World, Birth place of the Apostle of Peace, Country of Living Goddess, City of Golden Pagodas & Parasols, Himalayan Pilgrimage, Nature amphitheatre, Melting pot of Hinduism & Buddhism, A tiny Kingdom of thirty six ethnic groups & seventy-five spoke languages, Birth place of Sita, Abode of Shiva, Land of Mysticism & Exoticism, Land of non-stop festivals etc. are explicit and self-explanatory.
COUNTRY FACT SHEET:
Location: Between India & the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China.
Area: 147,181 Sq. Kms.
Latitude: 26° 12′ and 30° 27′ North.
Longitude: 80° 4′ and 88° 12′ East.
Capital: Kathmandu.
Topography: From the world’s deepest gorge ‘Kali-Gandaki’ to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8848m
Vegetation: Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical Rain forests to Alpine deserts.
Climate: Climate ranges from sub-tropical in the low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes.
World Heritage Sites: Ten (of which seven World Heritage Sites are situated within 20 kms. of radius, in the Kathmandu Valley).
Flora and Fauna: 840 different species of wet-land, migratory and residential birds. 8% of the world’s population of birds. 11 of the 15 butterfly families in the world. 2% of the flowering plants. 4% of mammals on earth.
Home to Endangered Species like: Royal Bengal tiger, One horned rhino, Snow – leopard, Red panda, Brown bear, Assamese macaque, Gangetic dolphin, wolf, wild elephant , giant horn-bill, swamp deer, wild yak, Tibetan antelope, Black buck, four horned antelope, Musk deer, Pigmy hog, Haspid hare, Pangolin, Gharial, Indian bustard, Saras crane, Impean pheasant, Python, etc
A Living Cultural Heritage: Nepal’s heritage is alive and dynamic. Shamanism, Pan-animism & Witch-craft are still practised in remote regions. Temples, shrines, monuments and monasteries are extremely active with devotees burning butter-lamps, singing hymns, chiming temple bells and playing drums. The only country that has living goddess “Kumari”.
PHYSICAL FEATURES:
The country can be divided into three main geographical regions:
A) Himalayan Region: The altitude of this region ranges between 4877 meters and 8848 meters with the snow line running around 488848 meters.
B) Mountain Region: This region accounts for about 64 percent of total land area. The Mahabharat range that rises upto 4877 meters forms it. To its south lies the lower Churia range whose altitude varies from 610 meters to 1524 meters.
C) Terai Region: The lowland Terai region, which has a width of about 26 to 32 kilometers and an altitude maximum of 305 meters, occupies about 17 percent 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.
WEATHER:
Nepal’s weather is generally predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons:Spring: March-May
Summer : June-August
Autumn : September-November
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.
