Nepal at Glance
Nepal officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, wedged between the High Himalayas and the steamy Indian plain is a landlocked country in south Asia. It is a multiethnic and multicultural nation with Nepali as the official language.
Geography
Nepal is located in south Asia in between China in the north and India in the south, east and west. The southern lowland plains or Terai bordering India is the part of northern rim of Indo-Gangetic plain.
Nepal falls in the temperate zone north of Tropic of cancer. The country can be divided in to three major geographical regions: Himalayan Region, Hilly Region and Terai Region. The highest point in the country is Mount Everest (8, 848m) and lowest point is in the Terai plains of Kechana (70m) Jhapa.
The Terai region, with the width ranging from 25-32 km and altitude ranging from 25-350 meters occupies about 17 percent of the total land. The southern lowland Terai extends to Bhabar belt covered with dense forest known as Char Kose Jhadi forest known for its rich flora and fauna. Further north the Siwalik zone (700-1500meters) and the Mahabharata range (1500-2700) consists of Duns (Valleys). North of Mahabharata range holds the two beautiful valleys Kathmandu and Pokhara (600-3000meters) completes the mid Hilly regions covered with forested watershed.
The Himalayas above (3000meters) comprises mountains, alpine pastures and temperate forests limited by tree line (4500meters) and snow line (5500meters). Eight of the 14 eight thousanders lie in Nepal: Mt.Everest (8, 848m), Kanchenjunga (8, 586m), Lhotse (8, 516m), Makalu(8, 463m), Cho Oyu(8, 201m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8, 163m) and Annapurna (8, 091m).
Location: 26.22’ North to 30.27’ North
Longitude: 80.04’ East to 88.12’ East
Borders: China in the North and India in South, East and West
Area: 147,181 sq.km
Length: 885 km. east to west
Width: Non-uniform – mean width of 193 km. north to south
Altitude: 70 meter to 8848 meter
Climate
Nepal climate varies with its topography and altitude. It ranges from tropical to artic. Nepal climate is influenced by maritime and continental factors. The southern lowlands of Terai has hot and humid temperature and can rise to 45 degree Celsius in Summer and Hilly or midlands has pleasant climate throughout the year but winter may be cool and the Himalayan region above 3500m has alpine climate.
There are Distinct Four major seasons in Nepal
Spring
March to May
– Warm and dusty with rain showers
– Mild warm in low lands and moderate in higher altitudes
– Season for flowers and other vegetation to blossom
– Rhododendron sweeps the forest in higher altitude
– Good time to visit Nepal with plenty of opportunity to get close with mountains
Summer
June to August
– Dominated by the monsoon
– The weather is hot and wet
– Everyday rain with thunderstorm
– The rain spreads lush green vegetation
Autumn
September to November
– Cool with clear skies
– The weather is highly pleasant with summer gone and winter to follow
– Pleasant mountain view
– Season of festivals in Nepal
– Best time to visit Nepal
– Peak season for Tourism in Nepal
Winter
December to February
– Cold at night and morning, afternoons are usually pleasant and clear
– High probability of snow in higher altitude
– Occasional rain
– Good time for trek in lower altitudes and midlands
Population
29,890,686
Time
GMT + 5.45
Language
Official Nepali (there are many other regional and mother tongue languages as well and English is spoken widely in major cities and town)
Currency
Nepali Rupee (NPR,Rs) = 100 paisa. Notes are in denominations of Rs 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000. Coins are in denominations of 10, 25, 50 paisa and Rs 1, 2 and 5.
Culture
Nepal in rich in culture and is widely known for its peculiarity. The culture of Nepal has evolved over the centuries developing its own traditions, norms, values, ethics, art & crafts, literature, festivals, dance, music and food over the generations of civilization.
This multi-dimensional heritage encompasses diversities of Nepal’s ethnic, tribal and social groups. Nepal culture is mostly influenced by Indian, Mongolian and Tibetan culture.
Nepal is a country where art, culture and religion is the part of life and every movement is celebrate with aroma adding novelty to traditions without affecting values and essence.
Nepali culture deeply constitutes following elements
Art
The art and architecture of Nepal is influenced by religion. Unique craftsmanship can be found in temples, shrines, monasteries with unique designs of sculptures and paintings. Both Hinduism and Buddhism iconography can be found and expressed through art throughout the country.
Festivals and Jatras
The festivals in Nepal are observed and celebrated with aroma and tranquility and each festivals and jatras are observed with values and essence.
The popular festivals and Jatras are:-
Dashain and Tihar , Loshar, Chhad, Mahashivaratri, Id, Janai Purnima, Gai Jatra, Machhendranath Jatra, Bisket Jatra etc.
Food and Cuisines
Nepalese are very foodies and Nepali cuisines are very hot and spicy. Newari and Thakali cuisines are real taste of Nepal. Dal, Bhat and Tarkari are staple food of Nepal.
Religion
Nepal is Secular. Religion in Nepal is not only social coherence based on certain norms and values but it is a binding force that had tied the country from Mountain to Terai and people to people over the centuries together. Though known as Hindu Kingdom every religion and traditions and every norms and values of different casts and creeds are equally respected. Buddhism is the second largest religion followed in Nepal and followed by Islam, Christianity and many more.
