Geography of Nepal

General Geographical information about Nepal.
Latitude : 26 0 12’ and 30 0 27’ North.
Longitude: 80 0 4’ and 88 0 12’ East

Topography :The world’s deepest gorge Kali Gandaki to the Highest point on earth Mt.Everest’ 8,848 m

Vegetation: Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding biodiversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical rain forests to alpine terrain.

Seasons: Winter (Dec- Feb), Summer (Mar-May), Monsoon (Jun-Aug), Autumn (Sep-Nov) The monsoon mostly occurs at night, days are often clean and fresh. Most of the northern belt of the Trans-Himalayan zone is rain-shadowed making it ideal for trekking during the monsoon season.
Literacy rate : 53.7% (as of 2005)

Per Capita Income: USD 237.00 per person per year

Area : 1,47,181 sq km

Length : 885 km

Width : 193 km

Capital/ Main City : Kathmandu

Population: 27,676,547 ( with 85.8% living in rural areas) “The world fact book Jul 2005”

Government: Democratic, Multi party democracy / ongoing process as of June 2006 / constituent assembly being seriously considered.

Time: GMT+ 5 and 3 quarter hrs.

Religion : Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim

Power: 220 volts AC, in large lowland towns

Agriculture : Rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk

Major Trading Nations: India , U.S.A. , Germany , China , UAE, Singapore .

Industries: Tourism, carpet , textile, rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarette production, cement and brick production.

Languages :Nepali 58% (official language), Newari 3% (mainly in Kathmandu ), Indian languages 20% (mainly in Terai).

National Bird :Impean Pheasent

National Animal : Cow.

National Flower : Rhododendron (Arboretum)

Nepal is situated between the great civilisations of India and Tibet. A landlocked country it has some of the most diverse topography in the world, rising from almost sea level in the south to the highest point on earth within a distance of less than two hundred kms. A land extremely rich in exotic vegetation, the hills are covered with huge numbers of plants, flowers and trees. Pleasant rural villages are linked by paths and ancient trade routes through paddy fields, forested hills, alpine meadows up to yak pastures and mountain moraine.. The country is situated along the central section of the Great Himalayas, eight of the world’s fourteen highest mountains including Mount Everest (29128ft / 8,8848m) are found here. The country can be divided into three distinct regions. The southern lowland (Terai Region) has a hot and tropical Indian climate, it is a rich alluvial plain and the major farming area of Nepal. The central region (Middle Hills) is formed by deep valleys where the land continues to push northward, it has a cooler sub-tropical climate and serves as the base for organising most tourist activities in Nepal. The northern region (Himalayan region) has an alpine climate with little vegetation growing over 4500m.

Terai Region of Nepal occupies 17% of the total land in Nepal, altitude ranges from 53 to 305m, width from north to south ranges from 26 to 32 kms. The region being flat is perhaps not surprisingly the most developed part of Nepal, it is basically a rich alluvial plain with well stocked farming land which is fed by the waters of the high Himalaya which lie 90 miles to the north. It is the main farming region in Nepal providing much produce for the rest of the country. Rice, maize, jute, tea, tobbacco and sugarcane along with a variety of fruits are all grown here for export to the major cities and towns. Natural vegetation is mainly consists of Sal and Riverine forestThe Tharu people are the major ethnic group of the Terai, their religious practices differ a lot from most other Nepali groups. Many still practice a form of Aminism (the worship of animal spirits), they are well known for thier colourful ceremonies. The region contains many of the natural reserves within Nepal. A vast array of wildlife including the famous One Horned Rhino and The Royal Bengal Tiger, over 43 species of mammals and over 500 species of birds have been recorded to date. The region begins to rise northwards to reach the Churiya hills which border the south of the Central Region (Middle Hills),Middle hills in Nepal are sandwiched between the Terai and the Nepal Himalaya, they cover a further 68% of the total landmass of Nepal, altitude ranges from 610 metres to 1524 metres. The middle hills are a series of small ranges that lie directly south of the High Himalaya. Kathmandu and Pokhara are situated here, along with many of the lower altitude treks. Kathmandu is an ideal base to organise group tours, it also provides a tremendous opportunity to discover the rich cultural heritage the middle hills provides. The Newars are the main ethnic group in Kathmandu, a tribe of mixed Mongal decent, many still follow strict daily routines where each stage in life is marked with tradition and colourful ceremony. Pokhara, situated 200 kms west of Kathmanu, responds with its outstanding beauty. Set around the beautiful Lake Phewa, it has argueably the finest mountain view in the World. Himalayan Region of Nepal accounts for the remaining 15% of land in Nepal. Altitude ranges from the snow line at around 4877 metres to 8848 metres. The region contains 10 of the 14 highest mountains on earth, each over of 8000 metres. It is a cold and very sparse in vegetation with little plant life surviving above 4800 mtrs. The plants that do survive are often some of the most interesting species to be found in Nepal.The Nepal Himalaya is perhaps most known for the Everest region, an area made famous by the main ethnic group (Sherpas). They are hardy people who travelled south from Tibet over 500 years ago. Many still practice pasture farming, leading yaks up and down the mountain, depending on the season. The is Yak a means of transportation it also produces fatty milk which is a rich source of protein, ideal for the harsh climate. Yak hair is also woven for cloth, the hide used for clothes, mats or blankets.

Mountain over 8000mt. in Nepal
Height in meters(m)
01 Sagarmatha ( Mt. Everest ) 8848
02 Kanchanjuga 8598
03 Lhotse 8516
04 Makalu 8463
05 Cho-Oyu 8201
06 Dhaualgiri 8167
07 Manaslu NEC Travels in Kathmandu. 8163
08 Annapurna I 8091
09 Kanchenjunga South 8476
10 Lhotse Shar 8400

Mountain below 8000 mt. in Nepal

Kumbhakarna :7710m
Nepal Peak : 7168m
Pathibhara : 7123m
Ama Dablam : 6812m
Pumori : 7161m
Gaurishankar :
Dorjelakpa : 6699m
Langtang Ri : 7225m
Himalchuli : 7893m
Ratnachuli : 7126m
Annapurna 2 nd : 7937m
Annapurna III : 7755m
Annapurna IV : 7525m
Annapurna South : 7219m
Api Himal : 7132m
Api West : 7100m
Barun Tse : 7129m
Dhaulagiri II : 7751m
Dhaulagiri III : 7715m
Dhaulagiri IV : 7661m
Dahulagiri V : 7618m
Dhaulagiri VI : 7668m
Ganesh Himal I : 7429 m
Ganesh Himal II : 7111m
Ganesh Himal III : 7110m
Khang Sar Kang : 7485m
Gyachung Kang : 7952m
Ganesh Himal IV : 7052m
Gangapurna : 7455m
Himalchuli East : 7893m
Himalchuli North : 7371m
Himalchuli West : 7540m
Kumbhakarna(Jannu) : 7710m
Langtang Lirung : 7234m
Makalu II : 7678m
Manaslu North : 7157m
Nilgiri North : 6839m
Nuptse : 7855m
Peak 29 : 7871m
Dhampus : 6012m
Pathivara : 7125m
PasangLhamuChuli : 735m
Kangbachen : 7903m
Ngojumbakang : 7743m
Putha Hiunchuli : 7246m
Saipal : 7031m
Shantishikhar : 7591m
Tilicho Peak : 7134m
Shartse Peak : 7459m
Tarke Kang : 7193m
Varaha Shikhar : 7647m
Gimigela Chuli : 7350m
Gyajikang : 7038m
Himlung Himal : 7126m
Janak Himal : 7090m
Sharphu I : 7070m
Palung Ri : 7012m
Talung Himal : 7349m
Domekhan : 7264m
Ratnachuli : 7128m
Himjung : 7140m
Gueja Himal : 7193m
Tent Peak : 7385m
Langtang Ri : 7205m
Jongsang Peak : 7483m
Chamer : 7187m
Tukuche Peak : 6920m
Tawoche Peak : 650m
Thamsherku : 6230m
Lamjung : 6983m
Arniko Chuli : 6034m
Kanjiroba : 6883m
Kanjirowa : 6557m
Kunde Himal : 6883m
Gorkha Himal :6088m
Asaituppa Himal : 6256m
Nilgiri South : 7061m
Nilgiri Central : 6940m
Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) : 6993m
Cholaste 6440m
Machermo 6273m
Kyazo Ri 6186m
Phari Lapcha 6017m
Nirekha 6159m
Langsisa Ri 6427m
Ombigaichen 6340m
Bokta 6143m
Chekigo 6257m
Lobuje West 6145m
Larkya Peak 6010m
Abi 6097m
Yubra Himal 6035m
Chukung Ri 5550m
Yala Peak 5732m
Hiunchuli 6441m
Singu Chuli 6501m
MeraPeak 6654m
Kusum Kangaru 6367m
Kwangde 6011m
ChuluWest 6420m
Chulu East 6558m
Island Peak 6160m
Pharmacho Peak 6187m
Lobuje Peak 6119m
Ramdung Peak 5925m
Pisang Peak 6091m
Tent Peak 5663m
Mehra Peak 5849m
Naya Kanga 5844m
Pokhalde Himal 5806m
Mardi Himal 5587m
Paldor Peak 5896m