About Nepal
Geography :
The Kingdom of Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers, and stretches
145-241 kilometers north to south and 850 kilometers west to east. The country
is located between India in the south and China in the north. At latitudes
26 and 30 degrees north and longitudes 80 and 88 degrees east, Nepal is topographically
divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the north, the hills consisting
of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills, and the Terai to the south.
Elevations are varied in the kingdom. The highest is Mt. Everest (8848
m) in the north and the lowest (70 meters above sea level) is located
at Kechana Kalan of Jhapa District. Altitude increases as you travel south
to north To the north temperatures are below - 40 degrees Celsius and in the
Terai, temperatures rise to 40 degrees Celsius in the summer. During June,
July and August, the kingdom is influenced by monsoon clouds.
The Himalaya :
The Himalayan range makes up the northern border of the country and represents
16% of the total land area of Nepal. Peaks like Mt. Everest (8.848 m), Kanchenjunga
(8.598 m), and Dhaulagiri (8137 m) are found here and sparse vegetation is
found up to 4.500 m. Some of Nepal's most beautiful animal and plant life
are also found here. Although rare, the snow leopard and danphe bird are much
talked about sights among visitors. The people in this region produce and
sell cheese besides working as porters and guides. Many also trade with Tibet
and travel across the border to sell their goods.
The Hills :
This region covers 65% of the total land area of the country. Kathmandu, the
capital of Nepal is located here. Elevations range from 500 to 3.000 m above
sea level. During summer the temperature reaches an average of 32 degrees
Celsius. Winters are cold, temperature reaching - 1 degree Celsius sometimes.
Areas in the eastern hills receive more rainfall because of the monsoon clouds
which come from the south-east. The rivers in the west which do not receive
much rainfall are dependent upon the melted snow that flow down the Himalaya.
Wild animals to be found here are the spotted leopard, barking deer, and Himalayan
black bear. The hilly region is also popular for different kinds of birds.
Over four hundred species of birds are found here. The people in this region
have gained from the growth in the tourism industry. The people here work
as trekking guides and porters and also sell garments and carpets to add to
their income.
Terai :
The Terai covers 17% of the total land area of Nepal. It provides excellent
farming land and the average elevation of flatlands is 100 to 300 m above
sea-level. Sub-tropical forest areas, marshes, and wildlife which include
the Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhino, and the garial crocodile are found
here. After the eradication of malaria in the 1960s, many people migrated
to the Terai in search of farming land. Today, about 48% of the country's
population occupies this region. Flat farmlands and the region's flexible
topography have given rise to many industries. The main industrial towns are
Biratnagar, Butwal, Bhairawa, Birgunj, and Janakpur. Calcutta, a metropolitan
city in India is the closest sea-port. It lies 1,000 kilometers away from
Birgunj.
History :
For centuries the Kingdom of Nepal was divided into many principalities. Kirats
ruled in the east, the Newars in the Kathmandu Valley, while Gurungs and Magars
occupied the mid-west. The Kirats ruled from 300 BC and during their reign,
emperor Ashoka arrived from India to build a pillar at Lumbini in memory of
Lord Buddha. The Kirats were followed by the Lichhavis whose descendants today
are believed to be the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley. During this period,
art thrived in Nepal and many of the beautiful woodcarvings and sculptures
that are found in the country belong to this era. With the end of the Lichhavi
dynasty, Malla kings came to power in 1200 AD and they also con tributed tremendously
to Nepal's art and culture. However, after almost 600 years of rule, the kings
were not united among themselves and during the late 11th century, Prithvi
Narayan Shah, King of Gorkha, conquered Kathman du and united Nepal into one
kingdom. Recognizing the threat of the British Raj in India, he dismissed
European missionaries from the country and for more than a century, Nepal
remained in isolation. During the mid-I 9th century Jung Bahadur Rana became
Nepal's first prime minister to wield absolute power. He set up an oligarchy
and the Shah Kings remained figure-heads. The Ranas were overthrown in a democracy
movement of the early 1950s. Today, Nepal enjoys a multi party democratic
system with a constitutional Monarch.
The People :
People, Culture, and Languages :
In Nepal, ethnical cultural groups are diverse and many of them have
their own languages and customs. However, they can be geographically categorized
according to their habitats. The Sherpas who are of Tibeto-Burman stock mainly
occupy the higher hills of eastern and central Nepal. The SoIu Khumbu region,
where the world's tallest peak Mt. Everest stands, is inhabited by Sherpas.
Generally they are Buddhist but some follow the Bon, the pre-Buddhist religion
of Tibet, and other religions. The Sherpas are famed for their valor and mountaineering
skills and are professionally involved in many mountain expeditions. Today.
Sherpas have joined other occupations as well, like business, administration
and politics.
A wide variety of ethnic groups occupy the mid-hills. The Kirats or Limbus
and Rais inhabit the east. During the 7th century BC, they established a dynasty
in the Kathmandu Valley and ruled it for 1.000 years. They are not originally
Hindus or Buddhists but are ancestor worshipers. However, today, many embrace
Hinduism. In the former days, they were warriors and skilled hunters. The
Kirats speak Tibeto-Burman languages. Many serve in the British Army today
and have earned a reputation as the brave Gurkhas.
The population of the Kathmandu Valley consists mostly of Newars. They speak
Nepalbbasa and practice Hinduism and Buddhism. Many families celebrate both
Hindu and Buddhist festivals. Their culture also reflects tantrism and animism.
Newars are accomplished in commerce and most enterprises in the heart of the
Valley are run by them. Historically, they are well known for establishing
the three artistically beautiful cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu.
The inhabitants of the hill flanks surrounding Kathmandu Valley are mostly
Tamangs, who make up one of the largest Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups in the
Kingdom. In the Tibetan language, Tamang means "horse soldier" which
gives us an idea about their past occupation. Today, they farm and work as
semi-skilled and unskilled laborers. Tamangs practice Tibetan Lamaism or the
Bon religion and speak their own language.
Tourist Visa :
Entry :
A Visa is necessary to enter Nepal and can be obtained for the following duration
from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the entry in Nepal.
Trekking in the following areas require prior approval
from the Ministry of Home Affairs :
• Olangchunggola, Lelep and Papung in Taplejung
• Kimathanka, Chepua, Hatia and Phawakhola in Sankhuwasabha
• North-West route to Nangpala of the Namche VDC in Solokhumbu
• Thuman and Timure in Rasua
• Chrkampar and Chuchet in Gorkha
• Nar, Phu and area on the North from Tiliche of Thoche VDC in Manang
• Mugu, Dolpung, Phulu and Magare in Mugu.
• Limi and the route to Tibet through Tangekhola of Darma VDC in Humla
• Byas in Darchula
• Kanda in Bajhang
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