Nepal is multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic country. The total population of Nepal is 25 million and over one hundred castes/ethnic and religious groups and ninety-two mother tongues were listed in the census 2001 (the latest census of Nepal). It is located between India in the south, east and west and China in the north, therefore it is also called a sandwiched between two countries. Moreover, it is the country of high Himalayan, mountains, artistic monuments and exotic wildlife. It offers a fantastic array of attractions for visiting tourists.
Nepal is not only known for trekking but also as the home of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on earth. Furthermore, Nepal has much more to offer than just one mountain, from jungle to steamy jungles of the plains to the highest point on earth the range of scenery. It is such a diverse and spectacular that offer an unforgettable experience to those who would like to venture out into the hills through trekking, therefore, why many writers, trekkers have lauded in recognition of trekking in Nepal, after having trekking here—the roof of the World, natural amphitheatre, melting pot of the diverse culture, religion, language and ethnicity, the land of mysticism and exoticism, the country of non-stop festivals—these are the explicit and self-explanatory on how Nepal is, therefore, the trekking in Nepal is no doubt incomparable to the world, one can find the exhilarating experience, is quiet impossible to find anywhere in the world. Furthermore, Nepal is also called a 'Land of Paradise' for tourists, trekkers and mountaineers and who loves to do expeditions.
Nepal is the country of amazing extremes. There are the world’s highest mountains including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest 8848 m) towering above populated valleys and forested plains in which the lordly tiger and trundling rhinoceros live. Enchants is everywhere, be it on the shoulders of high mountains, on terraced farmlands meticulously carved liked stairways out of hiss ridges,, on cascading mountain rivulets and rushing rivers, or in forests full of wildlife, flowers and bird song. Nepal provides something for everybody tourist, trekker, river runner, wildlife enthusiast, artists, scholar or the weary in search of a personal Shangrila.
Nepal is the best known as the home of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on earth. It is the land of eight out of 14 highest peaks in the world over 8000m--Mt. Everest (8848m), Kanchenjunga (8586m),Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8463m), Cho Oyu (8201m), Dhaulagiri (8167m), Manaslu (8163m) Annapurna (8091m). Furthermore, there is much more to offer along with mountains, from jungle to steamy jungles of the plains to the highest point on earth the range of scenery is such a diverse and spectacular which offer an unforgettable experience to those who would like to venture out into the hills, therefore, it is also called the 'Land of Paradise' for tourists, treks and mountaineering expeditions.
The famous Himalayan range, favorable climate, the hospitality of the Nepalese people and their culture, the natural landscapes, mountains, rivers, glacial lakes, forests and wild animals are the major attractions. People of Nepal are a cosmopolitan mixture of many different ethnic groups.
With these all the features, the world renowned traveler writers have well admired to this country, as it has the most exhilarating titles in recognition of the cultural richness, like, living cultural museum, Shangri-La, roof of the world, Birth place of the apostle of peace, country of living goddess, Himalayan pilgrimage, a tiny country of over 100 of ethnic groups and over120 spoken languages, the land of Mysticism and exoticism, and of non-stop festival among other.
These are the explicit and self-explanatory. They tell to the world about the incomparable and prosperous cultural heritage of this country 'Nepal'.
Nepal in brief
Location: Between India and the Tibetan autonomous region of the Republic of China
Area: 147,181 square kilometer
Capital: Kathmandu
People: More than 100 ethnic groups (59 yet recognized by government) and 92 spoken languages
Political system: multi party democracy, Federal Republic democratic country
Topography: from the world’s deepest gorge ‘Kali-Gandaki’ to the highest point on earth ‘The Everest’
Vegetation: As per the size of the country, 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 low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes.
Season: Winter (December to February), Summer (March to May), Monsoon (June to August), Autumn (September to November) [Monsoon: mostly rains, making the following day crispy clean and fresh. Most of the northern belt of the trans-Himalayan Zone is rain-shadowed and ideal for trekking.
National Bird: Impean Pheasant (Danfe)
National flower: Rhododendron-Arboreum (Lali Gurans)
World Heritage sites (Cultural)
- Shoyambhu
- Boudha
- Changunarayan
- Pashupatinath
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Patan Durbar Square
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square
World heritage sites (Natural)
- Everest National Park (1148 square kilometer
- Royal Chitwan National Park (932 square kilometer)
National Parks:
- Bardia National Park (968 square kilometer)
- Langtang National Park (1710 square kilometer)
- Shey –Phoksundo National Park (3555 square kilometer)
- Rara National Park (106 square kilometer)
- Khaptad National Park (225 square kilometer)
- Makalu-Barun National (2330 square kilometer)
Wildlife Reserves
- Shukla Phanta Reserve (499 square kilometer)
- Parsa Reserve (499 square kilometer)
- Koshi-Tappu Reserve (175 square kilometer)
Conservation areas:
- Annapurna (2600 square kilometer)
- Makalu-Barun (2330 square kilometer)
Hunting Reserve:
- Dhorpatan (1325 square kilometer)
Endanger Species
Tiger, Rhino, Snow leopard, Clouded leopard, Red panda, Brown bear, Asamese macaque, Gangetic dophin, Wolf, wild elephant, Giant horn-bill, swamp deer, wild yak, Nayan, Tebetan antelope, Black buck, four horned antelope, musk deer pigmy hog, Haspid harem Pangolin, Gharial, Indian bustard Saras crane, Impean pheasant, Python.
Wildlife:
Nepal harbors one of the world’s best habitants for one horned rhino, royal Bengal tiger, snow leopard, clouded-leopard, Red panda, blue-sheep and long snouted fish eating Gharial. Other wildlife includes wild elephant, buffaloes, bisons, blue bull, brown bear, sloth bear, leopard, crocodiles and many varies of cat, dog, deer and antelope families and 840 different species of wet land, migratory and residential birds.
A living cultural Heritage:
The heritages in Nepal are alive and dynamic. Shmanism, Pananimism and witch craft are still practiced in remote regions. Temples, shrines, monuments and monasteries with devotees burning butter-lamps, singling hymns, chiming temple bells and playing drums are spotted everywhere as a living cultural heritage.