| Geography of Nepal is uncommonly diverse. Nepal is of roughly trapezoidal shape, 500 mi long and 125 mi wide, with an area
of 56,827 sq mi. Nepal is commonly divided into four physiographic areas: the Mountain, Hill, Siwalik region and Terai
Regions. These ecological belts run east-west and are vertically intersected by Nepal,s major, north to south flowing,
river systems. Nepal is roughly the same size as England or the US states of Michigan and Arkansas.
The southern lowland Plains bordering India are part of the northern rim of the Indo-Gangetic plains. They were formed and
are fed by three major rivers: the Kosi, the Narayani (India,s Gandak River), and the Karnali. This region has a hot,
humid climate.
The Hill Region (Pahad) abuts the mountains and varies from 1,000 to 4,000 metres (3,300–13,125 ft) in altitude. Two low
mountain ranges, the Mahabharat Lekh and Shiwalik Range (also called the Churia Range) dominate the region. The hilly belt
includes the Kathmandu Valley, the country,s most fertile and urbanised area. Unlike the valleys called Inner Tarai
(Bhitri Tarai Uptyaka), elevations above 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) are sparsely populated.
The Mountain Region, situated in the Great Himalayan Range, makes the northern part of Nepal. It contains the regions of
highest altitude in the world; the world,s highest mountain, 29,028 ft height Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali) is
located here on the border with Tibet, the autonomous region of China. The Annapurna mountain range also lies in Nepal. In
fact, seven more of the world,s ten highest mountains are located in Nepal: Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga,
Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.
The arid and barren Himalayan landscape.Nepal has five climatic zones, broadly corresponding to the altitudes. The tropical
and subtropical zones lie below 1,200 metres (3,940 ft), the temperate zone 1,200 to 2,400 metres (3,900–7,875 ft), the cold
zone 2,400 to 3,600 metres (7,875–11,800 ft), the subarctic zone 3,600 to 4,400 metres (11,800–14,400 ft), and the Arctic
zone above 4,400 metres (14,400 ft).
Nepal experiences five seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. The Himalaya blocks cold winds from Central Asia
in winter, and forms the northern limit of the monsoon wind patterns. Once thickly forested, deforestation is a major problem
in all regions, with resulting erosion and degradation of ecosystems.
Nepal is the Mecca of mountaineering; reaching the summit of Mount Everest is the ultimate ambition, the Nirvana of every
mountaineer. Technically, the south-east ridge on the Nepali side of the mountain is easier to climb; so, most climbers
prefer to trek to Everest through Nepal.
Until the Sugauli treaty was signed, the territory of Nepal also included Darjeeling, and Tista to the east, Nainital to the
south-west and Kalapani, Susta, Gadawal to the west. However, as on today these areas remain annexed by India. As a result,
Nepal shares no boundary with Bangladesh now and the two countries are separated by a narrow strip of land about 13 mi wide,
called the Chicken,s Neck. Efforts are underway to make this area a free-trade zone.
Etymology
Ancient History
Modern History
Geography
Economy
Government
Culture
Religion
|
