About Nepal

Location Between Indian and the Tibetan Autonomous region of the peoples Republic of China
Area 147,181 sq.kms
Longitude 80 degrees 4′ and 88 degrees 12′ East
Capital Kathmandu
People 103 ethic groups and 93 spoken language
Political-system Multiparty Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy ????
Topography From the world’s deepest gorge Kaligandaki to Mt. Everest, the highest point on earth.
Language Nepal 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 savereign country with glories history, culture and tradition that date back to the 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 contribution to art and culture are indeed great and unique. In 1976 AD, the shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified Kingdom. 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 dio-diverty 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 Npvember till February and tropical wear from March till October
Religion Nepal is the only country 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.
Season Autumn (September – November)

Winter (December – February)

Summer (March – May)

Spring (June – August)
Monsoon

(June to mid Sep)

 Mostly rains a lot and 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 proves 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 Government holidays.
Electricity 220 volts Ac-50 Cycles throughout 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 vehicles (must posses 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 Napal Janakpur – Jayanagar Railway (NJJR) operates a freight and passenger service in the eastern Terai. Other transportation arrangementare taxi and auto rikshaws (three wheelers) with fare meters in Kathmandu.

Motorcycle, bicycles and rikshaws are also available.
What’s so special about Nepal 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 section of books on the Himalayas and mountain climbing
  • Kathmandu the capital city with as many idols as men and as many temples as house.
  • 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