Location:

Between India and The Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China

Area :

147,181 Sq. Kms.

Longitude:

80° 4’ and 88°12’ East.

Capital :

Kathmandu

People:

60 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages

Political-System:

Multiparty Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy

Topography:

From the world’s deepest gorge ‘Kaligandaki to Mt. Everest, the highest point on earth.

Language

Nepali is the official language of Nepal. However, English is understood and spoken by majority of people in Kathmandu valley and other major cities.

History

Nepal has always been 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 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 Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is the twelfth King in the Shah dynasty. Nepal is one of the founder members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Time

Nepal time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time.

Vegetation:

Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical Rain-forests to Alpine deserts.

Weather:

Climate ranges from Tropical in the lowlands to arctic higher altitudes.

Clothing

Warm clothing are required from November till February and tropical wear from March till October.

Religion

Nepal is the only Hindu kingdom in the world with majority of Hindus. Buddhism, Islam and Christian religions are followed by some people. All religions even in minority have co-existed amicably in Nepal for ages.

Seasons :

Autumn (September-November). Winter (December-February), Summer (March-May), Monsoon (Jun- August),

Monsoon: June to mid September.

Mostly rains a lot and not suitable time for trekking, however some of the days are often crispy clean. Most of the northern belts of Trans-Himalayan Zones are in the rain-shadow which provides rain free trekking.

Water

In major cities boiled and filtered water as well as mineral water is available in most of the hotels and restaurants. Elsewhere, it is advisable to use water sterilization tablets or stick to tea and soft drinks.

National Bird :

Impean Pheasant (Danfe)

National Flower :

Rhododendron- Arboreum (Lali Gurans)

Working Hours

Government offices open from 10 to 17:00 hrs in summer and till 16:00 hrs. in winter. On Fridays these offices are open till 15:00 hrs. only.

Official Holiday

Government and most other offices work six days a week. Saturday is the official weekly holiday when most of the shops are closed. Museums remain closed on Tuesdays and other Govt. holidays.

Electricity

220 Volts AC - 50 Cycles through out the country.

Road Transport

Kathmandu is connected with India through the fertile plains of the Terai by the most picturesque highways. Visitors are permitted to drive their own cars but their vehicles must possess an international carnet. There are regular bus services to Kathmandu from all the border points. The interior parts of the country are also linked with a number of motor able roads. Buses for the different parts of the country are available at the Gongabu bus terminal which is located near Balaju.

Railway Transport

Nepal Janakpur-Jayanager Railway (NJJR) operates afreight and passenger service in the eastern Terai.

Other Transport Arrangements

There are taxi and auto rickshaws (three wheelers) with fare meters in Kathmandu. Motorcycles, bicycles and rickshaws are also available.

Nepal is the only country in the world which contains

• The highest mountain peak in the world (Everest-8848m)
• The deepest river gorge in the world (Kali Gandaki River)
• The birthplace of Lord Buddha (Lumbini)
• The Living Goddess (Kumari) who is worshipped and   taken in a chariot procession annually
• The non-rectangular flag
• The best place in the world to study Tibetan Buddhism
• The largest selection of books on the Himalayas and   mountain climbing
• Kathmandu the capital city with as many idols as men  and as many temples as houses
• Elephant polo match held every year
• A hotel in Everest National park at an altitude of  3870m, claimed to be the highest hotel in the world  (Hotel Everest View)

NEPAL

• Is also one of the world’s great trekking paradise and  probably the finest country in the world for trekking
• Contains one of the ten best rivers in the world for  rafting has such a concentration of art, culture and  tradition in the Kathmandu valley which cannot be  found anywhere else in the world
• Is one of the few countries of the world where you  can see one horned Rhinos
• Contains Kathmandu, which is one of the best places to eat east of Bangkok and west of Istanbul. One  guide book has called it ‘budge eating capital of Asia’

Nepal-occupying only 0.1% of the earth is home to :

• 2% of all the flowering plants in the world.
• 8% of the world’s population of birds (more than 848 species)
• 4% of mammals on earth
• 11 of the world’s 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species)
• 600 indigenous plant families
• 319 species of exotic orchid