About the Country - NEPAL

Nepal is a country of diverse geographical and cultural features. It is a landlocked country in South Asia. Nepal has Tibet to its North and India to its South, West and East. It was the only Hindu kingdom in the world. Recently in May 2006 it has been declared a secular state.
The high mountain ranges of the Himalayas mix well with varied culture of the land and people. Diverse landscape has humid Terai in the south and lofty Himalayas in the North. Nepal boasts of eight highest mountains peaks in the world including Mount Everest. Nepal stretches to 800 km in length and has a width of 200kms.It has three major geographic divisions, the Mountains, the Hills and Terai. It is fed by three major rivers, Kosi,Karnali and Narayani. The plains are hot and humid.

The Hill region has a height of 1000 to 4000 meters in altitude. It has two low mountain ranges; the Mahabharat Lekh and Siwalik Range (Churia Range).Kathmandu valley is in this region and is one of the most fertile areas of the region.

The Mountainous region is the highest region in the world and houses the highest peak of Mount Everest 8850 meters (20935ft) on the border with Tibet. Besides it are the peaks of Lohtse, Makalu, ChoOyu, Kanchenjunga (Sharing border with India), Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.

Nepal has been ruled by various rulers until it came under Constitutional Monarchy in 1990. Yet this system of Government generated instability and had been fighting Maoist rebels. It led to a coup and civil war and Monarchy was overthrown. In 2005 the King declared a ‘state of emergency’ and closed the parliament and assumed all executive powers.

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Nepal with 76% people engaged in agriculture, which accounts for 39% of the GDP ,service industry comprises of 41% and industry consisting of 22% of the GDP. Landlocked location, technological backwardness and long running civil war have stopped Nepal from being a developed economy. Many Gurkhas from Nepal have joined Indian Armed Forces and are highly esteemed for their skills and bravery. Nepal receives about $50 Million by means of their service or pension.

Nepal is the birth place of Gautama Buddha .People here follow Hinduism and Buddhism and coexist harmoniously with each other .The temples of Nepal, in and around Kathmandu are infused with detail work and are a treat to the eye of a tourist. The finest buildings have pagoda style architecture and dominate the old parts of Kathmandu.

Nepal being a popular destination with Mountaineers, trekkers and fun loving tourists, caters to all the needs of modern tourists. Most of the places of tourist interest are well connected using air transport. Road transport exists with a network of roads throughout the country, but the condition of the roads does not encourage traveling by bus. Jeeps and Land rovers are available on hire and the prices may be negotiated before making a trip.

Internet connections are available in and around Kathmandu and there are plenty of cyber cafés available with internet connection.