Birthplace of the Buddha, home of the Gurkhas, roof of the world, land of legend and beauty - within its narrow confines Nepal contains an utterly spectacular variety of cultural and landscapes.
Nowhere else on earth has a greater diversity of landscapes within as small an area as Nepal.
In the north-south cross section of less than 200 kilometers are the subtropical plains of the Terai, the temperate Himalayan 'foothills' of the Churia and Mahabharat ranges and the high Himalayan peaks themselves.
More than half of the country is higher than 3,000 meters above sea level, around a quarter is at elevations of about 3,000 meters and less than one fifth is below 300 meters".
Footprint Nepal Handbook Second Edition - Tom Woodhatch Nepal may be a small country, but when it comes to height it is number one in the world.
Mountains cover 80% of Nepal, providing huge challenges in a country where 80% of people live off the land.
Nepal measures about 800 km east-west and 230 km at its widest point north-south, making a total area of around 147,181 sq km.
within that small area, however, is the greatest range of altitude on earth - starting with the Terai, only 100m or so above sea level, and finishing at the top of Mount Everest (8,848 meters), the world's highest point".
Lonely Planet Nepal Sixth Edition - Bradley Mayhew, Lindsay Brown and Wanda Vivequin FACTS * There are more than 6500 know species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers in Nepal.
* About 245 species of plants are only found in Nepal * In Nepal, a total of 118 ecosystem, 75 vegetation and 35 forest types have been identified so far * Nepal is well known for its forests which attract biologists and geologists for research and study * Over 850 species of birds (nearly 10% of the world's species) and 181 species of Mammals have been recorded in Nepal THE PEOPLE The distribution of ethnic groups reflects for the most part the geography of the country.
The majority of Nepal's population just over 23 millions (2001 Censes) some 80 percent are of Indo-Aryan stock, with the remainder of Tibetan origin.
The latter include not only the Tibetan and Bhotia inhabitants of North Nepal (such as the Sherpa, the Dolpowas and the Lopas of Mustang), but also the related mongoloid inhabitants of the central belt Newars, Tamangs, Rais, Limbus, Sunwars, Magars and Gurung people.
Nepal's diverse ethnic groups speak somewhere between 24 and 100 different languages and dialects depending on how fine the distinctions made are.
Nepali is function as the main language.
THE LOCATION, GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE Nepal, home to Mount Everest, is dominated by the world's most imposing mountains.
Although the country is relatively small (147,181 square kilometers), 80 percent of its territory is occupied by the dramatic peaks of the Himalayas.
Nepal was closed to foreign visitors until 1951, a situation which contributed greatly to its mystique in the west.
This small, hospitable country has since become an exceptionally popular destination for travelers, whether they are in search of climbing challenges or spiritual enlightenment.
Nepal can be divided into three geographical regions, each stretching from east to west across the country.
The southernmost strip of land, the Terai, is bordered to the north by Himalayan foothills and to the south by the Ganges River.
The area was originally covered with tropical vegetation, but has been almost completely converted to agricultural production.
The Terai is now the breadbasket of Nepal and is covered with farms.
The central section of Nepal is formed by the Mahabharat Chain, a range of mountains that reach modest altitudes of 2,000-3,000 meters.
Farming has become an important activity in the area; terraced farms produce rice, corn and wheat.
The Kathmandu Valley, a stretch of green in the middle of the Mahabbarat, is home to Nepal's capital and other historic cities.
The Himalayas stretch across the northern section of Nepal.
Eight of the ten highest peaks in the world are located here, and most are covered with permanent snowfields.
The area is sparsely populated, with little vegetation above the tree-line (4,200 meters).
The climate varies considerably with elevation.
May to October is monsoon season, when rain soaks the Terai and snow falls on the Himalayan peaks.
Mid-October to mid-December is prime mountaineering weather: the skies are clear and sunny, temperatures range from warm in the lowlands to crisp in the mountains.
March and April are also good months for mountain treks, although temperatures in Kathmandu and the Terai tend to be steamy.
"Buddha truly lives in Nepal and in each and every Nepali as the Nepalese people are very content and happy: that is what amazes the rest of the world.
How can people be so happy with so little? This is the golden question of the decadent and materialistic 21st century.
"
Nowhere else on earth has a greater diversity of landscapes within as small an area as Nepal.
In the north-south cross section of less than 200 kilometers are the subtropical plains of the Terai, the temperate Himalayan 'foothills' of the Churia and Mahabharat ranges and the high Himalayan peaks themselves.
More than half of the country is higher than 3,000 meters above sea level, around a quarter is at elevations of about 3,000 meters and less than one fifth is below 300 meters".
Footprint Nepal Handbook Second Edition - Tom Woodhatch Nepal may be a small country, but when it comes to height it is number one in the world.
Mountains cover 80% of Nepal, providing huge challenges in a country where 80% of people live off the land.
Nepal measures about 800 km east-west and 230 km at its widest point north-south, making a total area of around 147,181 sq km.
within that small area, however, is the greatest range of altitude on earth - starting with the Terai, only 100m or so above sea level, and finishing at the top of Mount Everest (8,848 meters), the world's highest point".
Lonely Planet Nepal Sixth Edition - Bradley Mayhew, Lindsay Brown and Wanda Vivequin FACTS * There are more than 6500 know species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers in Nepal.
* About 245 species of plants are only found in Nepal * In Nepal, a total of 118 ecosystem, 75 vegetation and 35 forest types have been identified so far * Nepal is well known for its forests which attract biologists and geologists for research and study * Over 850 species of birds (nearly 10% of the world's species) and 181 species of Mammals have been recorded in Nepal THE PEOPLE The distribution of ethnic groups reflects for the most part the geography of the country.
The majority of Nepal's population just over 23 millions (2001 Censes) some 80 percent are of Indo-Aryan stock, with the remainder of Tibetan origin.
The latter include not only the Tibetan and Bhotia inhabitants of North Nepal (such as the Sherpa, the Dolpowas and the Lopas of Mustang), but also the related mongoloid inhabitants of the central belt Newars, Tamangs, Rais, Limbus, Sunwars, Magars and Gurung people.
Nepal's diverse ethnic groups speak somewhere between 24 and 100 different languages and dialects depending on how fine the distinctions made are.
Nepali is function as the main language.
THE LOCATION, GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE Nepal, home to Mount Everest, is dominated by the world's most imposing mountains.
Although the country is relatively small (147,181 square kilometers), 80 percent of its territory is occupied by the dramatic peaks of the Himalayas.
Nepal was closed to foreign visitors until 1951, a situation which contributed greatly to its mystique in the west.
This small, hospitable country has since become an exceptionally popular destination for travelers, whether they are in search of climbing challenges or spiritual enlightenment.
Nepal can be divided into three geographical regions, each stretching from east to west across the country.
The southernmost strip of land, the Terai, is bordered to the north by Himalayan foothills and to the south by the Ganges River.
The area was originally covered with tropical vegetation, but has been almost completely converted to agricultural production.
The Terai is now the breadbasket of Nepal and is covered with farms.
The central section of Nepal is formed by the Mahabharat Chain, a range of mountains that reach modest altitudes of 2,000-3,000 meters.
Farming has become an important activity in the area; terraced farms produce rice, corn and wheat.
The Kathmandu Valley, a stretch of green in the middle of the Mahabbarat, is home to Nepal's capital and other historic cities.
The Himalayas stretch across the northern section of Nepal.
Eight of the ten highest peaks in the world are located here, and most are covered with permanent snowfields.
The area is sparsely populated, with little vegetation above the tree-line (4,200 meters).
The climate varies considerably with elevation.
May to October is monsoon season, when rain soaks the Terai and snow falls on the Himalayan peaks.
Mid-October to mid-December is prime mountaineering weather: the skies are clear and sunny, temperatures range from warm in the lowlands to crisp in the mountains.
March and April are also good months for mountain treks, although temperatures in Kathmandu and the Terai tend to be steamy.
"Buddha truly lives in Nepal and in each and every Nepali as the Nepalese people are very content and happy: that is what amazes the rest of the world.
How can people be so happy with so little? This is the golden question of the decadent and materialistic 21st century.
"