The
Kingdom
of
Nepal
is
one
of
the
richest
countries
in
the
world
in
terms
of
bio-diversity
due
to
its
unique
geographical
position
and
altitude
variation.
The
elevation
of
the
country
ranges
from
60
meters
above
sea
level
to
the
highest
point
on
earth,
Mt.
Everest
at
8,848
meters,
all
within
a
distance
of
150
kilometers
resulting
in
climatic
conditions
from
sub-tropical
to
arctic.
This
wild
variation
fosters
an
incredible
variety
of
ecosystems,
the
greatest
mountain
range
on
earth,
thick
tropical
jungles
teeming
with
a
wealth
of
wildlife,
thundering
rivers,
forested
hills
and
frozen
valleys.
The
Kingdom
of
Nepal
covers
an
area
of
147,181
square
kilometers,
and
stretches
145-241
kilometers
north
to
south
and
850
kilometers
west
to
east.
The
country
is
located
between
India
in
the
south
and
China
in
the
north.
At
latitudes
26
and
30
degrees
north
and
longitudes
80
and
88
degrees
east,
Nepal
is
topographically
divided
into
three
regions:
the
Himalaya
to
the
north,
the
hills
consisting
of
the
Mahabharat
range
and
the
Churia
Hills
in
the
middle,
and
the
Terai
to
the
south.
Elevations
are
varied
in
the
kingdom.
The
highest
point
is
Mt.
Everest
(8848
m)
in
the
north
and
the
lowest
point
(70
meters
above
sea
level)
is
located
at
Kechana
Kalan
of
Jhapa
District.
Altitude
increases
as
you
travel
south
to
north.
In
the
north
temperatures
are
below
-40°C
and
in
the
Terai,
temperatures
rise
to
40°C
in
the
summer.
During
June,
July
and
August,
the
kingdom
is
influenced
by
monsoon
clouds.
Within
this
spectacular
geography
is
also
one
of
the
richest
cultural
landscapes
anywhere.
The
country
is a
potpourri
of
ethnic
groups
and
sub-groups
who
speak
over
93
languages
and
dialects.
Nepal
offers
an
astonishing
diversity
of
sightseeing
attractions
and
adventure
oppurtunities
found
nowhere
else
on
earth.
And
you
can
join
in
the
numerous
annual
festivals
that
are
celevrated
throughout
the
year
in
traditional
style
highlighting
enduring
customs
and
beliefs.
The
population
of
Nepal
was
recorded
to
be
about
25
million
as
of
July
2002.
Eighty-six
percent
of
Nepalis
follow
Hinduism,
while
eight
percent
follow
Buddhism
and
three
percent
follow
Islam.
The
population
comprises
various
groups
of
different
races
which
are
further
divided
into
different
castes.
The
distinction
in
caste
and
ethnicity
is
understood
more
easily
with
a
view
of
customary
layout
of
the
population.
Some
of
the
main
groups
are
such:
Gurungs
and
Magars
who
live
mainly
in
the
western
region;
Rais,
Limbus
and
Sunwars
who
live
in
the
eastern
mid
hills;
Sherpas,
Manangpas
and
Lopas
who
live
near
the
mountains
of
Everest,
Annapurna
and
Mustang
respectively;
Newars
who
live
in
and
around
the
capital
valley
of
Kathmandu;
Tharus,
Yadavas,
Satar,
Rajvanshis
and
Dhimals
who
live
in
the
Terai
region;
and
Brahmins,
Chhetris
and
Thakuris
generally
spread
over
all
parts
of
the
country.
Nepali
is
the
official
language
of
the
state,
spoken
and
understood
by
100
percent
of
the
population.
Multiple
ethnic
groups
speak
more
than
a
dozen
other
languages
in
about
93
different
dialects.
English
is
spoken
by
many
in
government
and
business
offices.
It
is
the
mode
of
education
in
most
private
schools
of
Kathmandu
and
some
other
cities. UNESCO
World
Heritage
Sites
