GEOGRAPHY
The
remarkable geography of Nepal has attracted visitors for
decades. Covering an area of only 147181 square kilometers,
Nepal encompasses the world’s highest mountains and deepest
valleys as well as low-elevation forests filled with rare
animals. The terrain is divided into three elevation zones:
the cool Himalaya, the moderate hills and the warm lowland
Terai. Precipitation ranges from dry in the west to pleasantly
moist in the east. Thus, Nepal has every kind of climate and
can be enjoyed any month of the year.
PEOPLE
The
people of Nepal are as variable and intriguing as the
country’s geography. Throughout the country is an unfolding
tapestry of ethnic groups, such as Newars, Tharus and Sherpas
each with its own distinct language, customs, houses and
dress.
HISTORY
In
the middle of the 18th century, the country of
Nepal was unified from numerous small principalities by King
Prithvi Narayan Shah. In 1846, the power was usurped by the
Rana prime ministers, who ruled the country for more than 100
years. In 1951, the Shah Dynasty was reinstated and Nepal
opened its doors to the outside world. Today, Nepal is a
democratic constitutional monarchy, under the aegis of His
Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.
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RELIGION
Hinduism
is the official religion of the Kingdom of Nepal and is
practiced by the majority. Many people throughout the country
are Buddhists and the two religions have co-existed in harmony
throughout Nepal’s history. In fact, Hinduism and Buddhism
are so intertwined that their temples often share the same
location and rites of both faiths may be practiced by a single
family. Christianity and Islam have a small number of
adherents. Whatever their major religion, almost all the
people of Nepal also have animistic beliefs. Shamans are
widely used for curing, and mountains, trees and stones are
revered in every corner of the country.
LOCATION
South
Asia. Bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region of the
People’s Republic of China in the north and India in the
south, east and west.
LAND
Nepal
spans 885 kms east to west and 193 kms (widest) north to
south. Great altitudinal variations exist – from the flat an
fertile land of the Terai in the south, barely 150 m above sea
level, the land rises abruptly in several chains of hills and
valleys to the towering Himalayan mountains to the north
within a distance of less than 200 km.
LANGUAGE
The
official language of Nepal is Nepali and written in Devanagari
script. English is understood and spoken by majority of people
in Kathmandu valley and other major cities.
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CLIMATE
The
climate range from tropical to alpine. Hot in the Terai with
temperatures hovering around 37 degrees Celsius in summer. Mid
hills have pleasant weather with 30 degrees in summer and 20
in winter. Mountain temperatures progressively lower towards
the north ranging from 16 degrees Celsius to several degrees
below freezing point. A visit to Nepal is possible all the
year round. But activities like mountain flight, jungle safari
excursions, rafting and trekking are best from October till
May.
CLOTHING
Warm
clothing is required from November to February and tropical
wear from March till October. But a trip to higher altitude
will require special clothing depending on the places visited.
A checklist is available on request.
ENTERING
NEPAL
The
capital Kathmandu is linked by air with direct flights from
London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Osaka,
Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Bombay, Calcutta, Varanasi, New
Delhi, Banglore, Moscow, Lhasa, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Paro,
Dubai, Dhaka, Karachi and Doha.
Travelers
may also enter the country by surface through six major entry
points to Nepal – Kakarbhitta, Biratnagar, Birgunj,
Bhairahawa, Mahendranagar from India and Kodari from Tibet.
PASSPORT
A
valid passport is required for all the nationals except
Indian.
NEPAL
ENTRY VISA
All
the nationals are required to obtain visa except Indian
nationals for the entry into the country. The visa can be
obtained from Royal Nepal Embassy or Consulate or at the entry
points in Nepal.
LOCAL
CURRENCY
Nepalese
currency unit is Rupees (locally pronounced Rupiah) and
denoted by currency symbol Rs. One Rupees is subdivided into
100 paisa. The denomination of the currency notes in use are
Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and the coins are
found in the denomination of 5, 10, 25, 50 paisa and Rs. 1, 2,
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