Nepal is a small country about 140 miles by 500 miles, located to the north of India & the south of Tibet. Nepal is best known as the home of the Himalayas. These mountains captivate the attention of people worldwide & motivate visitors to come to Nepal. Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity, & due to its unique geographical position & altitudinal variation.
Nepal-occupying only 0.1 of the total landmass of the earth-is home to:
- 2% of all the flowering plants in the world;
- 8% of the world’s population of birds (more than 848 species);
- 4% of mammals on earth;
- 11 of the world’s 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species);
- 600 indigenous plant families;
- 319 species of exotic orchids;
Location : Situated between China in the north & India in the south, East and West.
Area : 1,47,181sq. kms
Capital : Kathmandu
Latitude : 26o 22’ to 30o 27’ North
Longitude : 80o 4’ to 88o 12’ East
Population : 25,966,530
Per Capital Income : US$ 269
Language : Nepali is the National Language.
Currency : Nepalese Rupee (approx. US$ 1equals Rs. 75.5 as of Appril 2009)
Political System : Multi-Party Democracy
Religion : Nepal enjoys the distinction of being the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. Howerver, there is a harmonious blending of Hinduism & Buddhism.
Seasons : Nepal has four major seasons, namely
(i) Winter: December-February (-1 to 15 +c )
(ii) Spring: March-May ( 24 to 32 + c )
(iii) Summer: June-August
(iv) Autumn: September-November ( 10 to 18 + c )
People : Nepal has more than 102 Ethinic Groups & 94 spoken Languages.
What to Wear : Light weight clothing is recommended for May -October. Warm Garments are required in October-March. An umbrella or a raincoat is a must for the rainy season.
Visa : Available at Nepalese Embassies and Nepalese consulates abroad or on arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Time : Nepal time is 5 Hours 45 Minutes ahead of GMT.
National Bird : Lophophorus “Danfe”
National Flower : Rhododendron “Lali Gurans”
National Animal : Cow
