Introduction:
Nepal-a country of amazing extremes, is the home of the world's highest mountains, historic cities and the forested
plains where the lordly tigers and the great one-horned rhinoceros trundle at ease. In fact enchantment is everywhere-for
anyone in search of Shangrila !
|
| |
Geography :
Nepal, a sovereign independent kingdom, (between 80° 4' and 88° 12' East longitude and 26° 22' and 30° 27' North latitude)
is bounded on the North by the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, the East-South and West by India.
The length of the Kingdom is 885 kilometers east-west, and it's breadth varies from 145-241 kilometers north-south. The
country can be divided into three main geographical regions.
|
(a) Himalayan Region: The altitude of this region ranges between 4877
m. - 8848 m. m. It includes 8 of the higest 14 summits in the world which exceed altitude of 8000
meters including, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and others.
(b) Mountain Region: This region accounts for about 64 percent of total
land area. It is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4877 meter
and the lower Churia range.
(c) Terai Region: The low-land Terai occupies about 17 percent of the total
land area of the country.
There is no seasonal constraint on traveling in and through Nepal. Even in December and
January, when the winter is at its severest, there are compensating bright sun and
brilliant views.
|
History :
Nepal- a country with a long historical tradition is an amalgamation
of a number of medieval principalities. Before the campaign of national
integration launched by King Prithivi Narayan Shah the Kathmandu
Valley was ruled by the Malla Kings, whose contributions to art and
culture are indeed great and unique. In 1768 A.D. the Shah dynasty
ascended the throne of the unified kingdom. His Majesty King Birendra
Bir Bikram Shah Dev, is tenth King in the Shah dynasty.
|
| The new democratic constitution of the
kingdom was promulgated on November 9, 1990. Nepal is one of the
founder members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
SAARC of which the third summit was held in Kathmandu in Nov. 1987. |
| |
- People :
- Nepal has a population of more than 18 million people
made of different races living in different regions, with diverse
culture, languages and dialects. The Gurungs and Magars live mainly
in the west. The Rais, Limbus and Sunuwars inhabit the slopes and
valleys of the eastern mid hills. The Sherpas live in the Himalayan
region. The Newars constitute an important ethnic group of the
capital valley Kathmandu. There are Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis
and Dhimals in the Terai region. The Brahmans, Chhetris and Thakuris
are spread generally over most parts of the kingdom.
|
|
Religion and Culture :
Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two major religions of Nepal.
A remarkable feature of Nepal is the religious homogeneity that exists,
particularly between the Hindu and Buddhist communities. Apart from
the Hindus and Buddhists, Muslim from the third largest religious
group.
|
| The exquisite medieval Art & Architecture of the
Kathmandu Valley vividly reflect the artistic ingenuity and the religious
tradition of the people. |
| |
|
Language :
Nepali, serves the purpose of the Kingdom's lingua franca in Nepal.
The educated people speak and understand English as well.
|
| |
|
Climate :
Nepal has four climatic seasons (a) Spring: March-May, (b) Summer:
June-August (c) Autumn: September-November and (d) Winter: December-February.
The average temperature and rainfall records in kathmandu are presented
hereunder:
|
Month |
Min.(C) |
Max.(C) |
Raifall
(in millimeters) |
| January |
2.7 |
17.5 |
47 |
| February |
2.2 |
21.6 |
11 |
| March |
6.9 |
25.5 |
15 |
| April |
8.6 |
30.0 |
5 |
| May |
15.6 |
29.7 |
146 |
| June |
18.9 |
29.4 |
135 |
| July |
19.5 |
28.1 |
327 |
| August |
19.2 |
29.5 |
206 |
| September |
18.6 |
28.6 |
199 |
| October |
13.3 |
28.6 |
42 |
| November |
6.0 |
23.7 |
0 |
| December |
1.9 |
20.7 |
1 |
|
| |
|
Clothing :
clothing depends on place and time, however, it is recommended
to have both light and warm clothing. In the mountain areas warm
clothes are generally a must. |
| |
