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, is bounded,
on the North by the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the
People's Republic of China, the
east-south and west by
India. The
length of the Kingdom is 885
kilometres east-west and its
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 4877m. - 8848m. It
includes 8 of the highest 14
summits in the world which
exceed altitude of 8000
meters including, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and
others.
(b) MOUNTAIN REGIONS
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 oceupies
about 17 percent of the total
land area of the country.
There is no seasonal constraint on
travelling 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
historic tradition is an amalgamation
of a number of medieval principalities.
Before the campaign of national
integration launched by King Prithvi
Narayan Shah the Kathmandu Valley
was ruled by the Malla Kings, whose
contributions to art and culture are
indeed great and unique. In 1768 AD
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 November 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
inhabits 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
all parts of the Kingdom.
RELIGION & CULTURE
Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two major
religions of Nepal. A remarkable
feature of Nepal is the religious
homogeneity what 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
(d) Winter : December-February.
The average temperature and rainfall records in
Kathmandu are presented hereunder.
AVERA6E TEMPERATURE AND
RAINFALL IN KATHMANDU
Month Min(C) Max(C) Rainfall(in mm) CLOTHING
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 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.