About Nepal
The Land of the Himalayas - Where Adventure Meets Spirituality
147,516
km² Area30M+
PopulationKathmandu
CapitalNepali
LanguageNPR
Currency+5:45
UTC TimezoneGeography of Nepal
Nepal's geography is among the most diverse in the world, ranging from the plains of the Terai to the heights of the Himalayas.
Three Geographic Regions
The Himalayas (Mountain Region)
Elevation: 4,877m to 8,848m
The Himalayan region covers about 15% of Nepal's total area. It includes 8 of the world's 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest (8,848.86m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Makalu (8,485m).
This region is home to Sherpas and other high-altitude communities who have adapted to life in thin air over generations.
The Hills (Hilly Region)
Elevation: 610m to 4,877m
The hilly region comprises about 68% of Nepal's land area. The Kathmandu Valley, with its three ancient cities (Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur), lies in this region.
This region is characterized by the Mahabharat and Churia ranges, with numerous valleys and river basins.
The Terai (Plains Region)
Elevation: 60m to 610m
The Terai plains cover about 17% of Nepal's total area but are home to over 50% of its population. This fertile region is the agricultural heartland of Nepal.
National parks like Chitwan and Bardia protect the region's wildlife, including Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinoceros.
Major Rivers
Nepal has over 6,000 rivers fed by glaciers and monsoon rains. The three major river systems are:
- Koshi River System - Drains eastern Nepal
- Gandaki River System - Drains central Nepal
- Karnali River System - Drains western Nepal
Highest Peaks in Nepal
- Mount Everest - 8,848.86m
- Kanchenjunga - 8,586m
- Lhotse - 8,516m
- Makalu - 8,485m
- Cho Oyu - 8,188m
- Dhaulagiri I - 8,167m
- Manaslu - 8,163m
- Annapurna I - 8,091m
Climate Zones
Due to its varied topography, Nepal experiences:
- Tropical - Terai region
- Subtropical - Lower hills
- Temperate - Middle hills
- Subalpine - Higher hills
- Alpine - Mountains
- Arctic - High Himalayas