NEPAL- LAND OF HIMALAYAS

Nepal- land of Himalayas

Nepal is a small country wedged in between two giants, the arid plateau of Tibet and the hot fertile plains and jungles of India.

The Himalaya forms the backbone of Nepal and provides some of the best mountain scenery in the world. There are many ways to enjoy the spectacular beauty of these giants and Nepal offers them all. Long the preserve of mountaineers and trekkers, the spectacular vistas can now be enjoyed by all. A series of luxury lodges in the Annapurna and Everest regions, complete with hot water, down pillows, and en suite facilities provide a more comfortable alternative to the standard tea houses.

Those wishing to see the world’s highest peak can see the dark foreboding mass of Everest from the comfort of a light aircraft, or alternatively take the trails and walk in the Sagarmatha national park. The majesty of the Himalaya is equaled by the wildlife of the Chitwan national park, where elephant-backed safaris seek the elusive tiger and the rare one-horned rhino, while boat trips offer sightings of the park’s 450 bird species and gharial crocodile. The unique architecture of the Kathmandu valley, the photogenic mountain villages and the open and friendly, the photogenic mountain villages and the open and friendly demeanour of Nepal’s people complete the experience.

Nepal is a country of diversity. From tropical forests to eight of the fourteen highest mountains on earth, from the royal Bengal tiger to the one-horned rhino, from lush pine forests to rain shadowed valleys, this country is a treasure-chest filled with amazing natural gifts. Even this incredible landscape pales in comparison to the wonderful warmth and generosity of different ethnic dwelling in this kingdom. Among many religions, the majority are Hindus and Buddhists. The population of Nepal is approximately 20 millions people and it stretches in 147,181 square meters.

About seventy percent of the country’s northern land is mountainous or hilly. In the southern plains are the Tharu people with their distinctive culture. Rice fields, planted terraces, cities filled with religious monuments, forests of rhododendrons, rocky plains, and ultimately, the snow covered Himalaya - a visit to Nepal is an altogether unforgettable experience. There are few places as strange and beautiful and few people as friendly as the people of Nepal.

Often as we walk from one valley to the next we enter a new cultural region where the people, their homes and way of life are very different. Those who live on the flat plains and lower valleys are mainly Hindus. At higher altitudes the people are predominantly Buddhist and among those the land of world famous Sherpa.

From a gentle introductory walks in the foothills to the more strenuous classic treks and even the ascent of a Himalayan peak, you are bound to get an experience of a lifetime. The haunting beauty of the Himalaya and the friendliness of Nepalese people are guaranteed to create a lasting impression on all who visit this wonderful country, leaving most with a longing to return. For a Himalayan adventure we believe Nepal to be unbeatable and our commitment and expertise gained over many years will ensure that your adventure is the best it can be.

General information

Location
Federal democratic republic of Nepal is a land-locked country bordering with the Tibet autonomous region of the people's republic of china in the north and surrounded by India in the east, south and west.
Language
Nepali is the national language of Nepal. Educated people understand and speak English as well. There are hundreds of local dialects spoken by people from various ethnic groups.
Climate
Nepal has four major seasons, namely,(1) Winter: December-February, (2) Spring: March-May, (3) Summer: June-August and (4) Autumn: September-November. Nepal can be visited all the year round.
People & religion
Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups, the Indo-Aryans and the Mangoloids (the Kirats). Before 2007 ad, the government of Nepal has already announced the country to be secular country. The Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines are scattered all over the country. Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, herald of peace, and the light of Asia. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians live together in harmony. And other nature worshippers, too, exist here.
Currency & foreign exchange
Nepali rupee notes come in rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 denominations. Coins come in rs. 1, 2, 5 and 10 denominations.
Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through banks or authorized money exchangers. The receipts of such transaction are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival. Visitors other than the Indian nationals have to make the payment in foreign currency (non-Indian currency) in hotel, trekking agencies or travel agencies and for air tickets.

General information

Location

Southern Asia between China and India

Geographic information

28 00 N, 84 00 E

Map references

Asia

Area

Total: 147,181 sq. Km
land: 143, 151 sq. Km
water: 4,000 sq. Km

Area - comparative

Slightly larger than Arkansas

Land boundaries

Total: 2,926 km border countries: china 1,236 km, India 1,690 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

None (landlocked)

Climate

Varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south

Terrain

Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north

Elevation extremes

Lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m highest point: mount Everest 8,848 m

Natural resources

Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Land use

Arable land: 16.07%
permanent crops: 0.85%
other: 83.08% (2005)

Irrigated land

11,700 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources

210.2 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

Total: 10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%)
per capita: 375 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

Severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Environment - current issues

Deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions.

Environment - international agreements

Party to: biodiversity, climate change, climate change-Kyoto protocol, desertification, endangered species, hazardous wastes, law of the sea, ozone layer protection, tropical timber 83, tropical timber 94, wetlands signed, but not ratified: marine life conservation

Geography - note

Landlocked; strategic location between china and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with china and India respectively

People

Population

28,901,790 (July 2007 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 38.3% (male 5,721,720/female 5,360,391)
15-64 years: 57.9% (male 8,597,037/female 8,134,115)
65 years and over: 3.8% (male 528,113/female 560,414) (2007 est.)

Median age

Total: 20.5 years
male: 20.3 years
female: 20.6 years (2007 est.)

Population growth rate

2.132% (2007 est.)

Birth rate

30.46 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate

9.14 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Sex ratio

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.067 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.057 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.942 male(s)/female

Total population

1.056 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Total: 63.66 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 61.87 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 65.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 60.56 years
male: 60.78 years
female: 60.33 years (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.01 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Nationality

Nepalese

Ethnic groups

Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census)

Religions

Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)
note: only official Hindu state in the world

Languages

Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newari 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census)
note: many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.)

Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 48.6%
male: 62.7%
female: 34.9% (2001 census))

Government

Flag description

Red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun.

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