Nepal is a land of rare scenic splendor unrivaled in the Himalayas. Bordering the Tibetan Plateau, her territory stretches 800 kilometers East to West, the world’s highest peaks including Mt. Everest marking her northern most limits, cascading sharply downwards in a short 200-kilometers span through rugged mountains, cultural diversity, conifer, temperate and tropical forests, terraces of paddy, millet and corn to the low-lying foothills, birth place of Lord Buddha that form the Southern borders where they join with the plains of India.

Nepal is a land where lovers of nature may revel in a unique Himalayan setting of great beauty, choosing from a variety of ways, suitable to their personal ideals of relaxation and pleasure. There is no seasonal constraint on traveling in Nepal, as all seasons are good for traveling. Each has its own unique charm.

Fast Facts of Nepal:

Area : 147,181 square Kilometers.

Capital : Kathmandu.

Geography : Situated between Tibetan Autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China in the north and India in the south. The length of the Kingdom is 885 km east-west and its breath varies from 145-241 km north-south. The country can be divided in to three geographical regions.

Himalayan Region : This region occupies about 15% of the total land area. The altitude of the region ranges bwteen 4,877m - 8848 m. It includes eight of the 14 highest summits in the world which exceed an altitude of 8,000 m including Everest, Kanchanjunga, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and others.

Mountain Region : This region accounts for about 68% of the total land area. It is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4,877m and the lower Churiya.

Terai Region : The low-land Terai occupies about 17% of the total land area of the country.

Terrain : Heavily mountains. 14% of the land is cultivated. 13% is pasture, 32% is forested.

Population : About 23 million.

People :
More than 61 ethnic groups and 70 spoken language, among them Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Newar, Sherpa, Tharu and Indo-Aryan cast groups of Brahman and Chhetri.

Language :
Nepali is the official language, widely spoken. Newari 3 %, Tibeto-Burman language 19 %, Indic language 20 %. In all more than 30 languages and numerous dialects spoken.

Religion:
Officially, Hindu 90 %, Buddhist 8%, Islam 2%. Many of Hindus and Buddhists follow common gods and goddess, celebrate common festivals.

Government :
Multi-party democracy with Constitutional Monarchy, under His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev; with Prime Minister heading a Nepali Congress cabinet.

Currency :
Nepalese currency (about 75.00 equal US$ 1.00)

History :
Nepal has been always an independent and sovereign country with glorious history, culture and tradition that date back to time immemorial. Before the campaign of national integration was launched by King Pritivhi Narayan Shah, the Great, 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 Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is the eleventh King in the Shah dynasty.