If you want to trek in the highest mountains in the world there is only one place to be: Nepal. The Nepalese Himalayas contain 8 of the 10 highest peaks on earth, including Mount Everest, the tallest of all. The Himalayas also boast the deepest valleys, as well as low elevation forests filled with rare animal species. The rivers are huge and wide, and have the potential to produce the largest hydropower in the world after Brazil. This dramatic landscape offers many incredible opportunities for adventurous visitors, including mountain climbing, hill trekking, elephant riding, jungle safaris, and white water rafting. These expeditions are all within a few hours’ drive of Kathmandu valley.
Nepal has every kind of climate from extreme cold in the north to the tropical weather in the south. Kathmandu experiences fairly temperate weather as it is nestled in Kathmandu valley in central Nepal.
The word “Nepal” is believed to be derived from the Newar word “Nepa” which referred to the Newar Kingdom (the present day Kathmandu Valley). “Nepa” became “Nepal” with Sanskritization.
Nepal is not only the birth place of Lord Buddha and home of Mt. Everest, but is also the land of the renowned Gurkha soldiers and the mystical 'yeti'. Nepal also has some of the most diverse and rich traditions and cultures in the world, with equally diverse flora and fauna. People belonging to more than 60 ethnic groups have been living here peacefully side by side for thousands of years, and although Nepalese people are very diverse, they are universally of a quiet and gentle nature and are known for being especially hospitable. Kathmandu is Nepal’s capital city, and it is said that there are as many gods as there are people in the valley, and as many temples as there are dwellings. In total, Nepal possesses eight UNESCO world heritage sites. The majority of the population are Hindu, although Buddhism prevails in the Himalayan highlands.
Nepal covers 147,181 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 30 million, making it the world’s 93rd largest and the 41st most populous country in the world. Nepal is landlocked and is sandwiched between two giant neighbours – the Republic of India to the south, east & west, and the People’s Republic of China to the north.
Interesting Facts about Nepal:
- 8 of the 14 highest peaks in the world (with an altitude exceeding 8,000m) are found in Nepal.
- Nepal is the only Hindu kingdom in the world. Around 33 million Hindu Gods (approximately 13 times the country’s human population) are worshiped in Nepal.
- Lumbini, birthplace of Guatam Buddha, is possibly Nepal’s most famous world heritage sites. It is situated in the Rupandehi District on the border with India.
- Nepal is home to 2% of all flowering plants in the world, 8% (848 species) of the total birds in the world, 4% of mammals, 11 of 15 butterfly families (500 species), 600 indigenous plant families and 319 exotic species of orchids.
- It holds the pride of being one of the handful countries in the world which has always maintained independent sovereignty, never having been colonized by any other nation.
- Nepalese hospitality is best known in the world for the smiling faces, warm greetings and honesty
- As well as the highest peak in the world, Nepal is home to the world’s deepest gorge – Dana – with a depth of 1,400m.
- Nepal offers adrenaline junkies the excitement of diving from the highest bungee jump in the world.
- Seven of Nepal’s eight world heritage sites are within 20km of each other in Kathmandu valley.
- Tilicho Tal is the world’s highest lake and is found in the Manang District in the Annapurna range, at an altitude of 4,919m.
- Mount Everest, known locally as Sagarmatha, is 8,848m tall.
- Nepal has officially been a Federal Democratic Republic since 2008.
