| NEPAL GENERAL INFORMATION
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.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL
IN KATHMANDU
| Month |
Min(C) |
Max(C) |
Rainfall(in mm) |
| 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.
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