Nepal and Himalayas-the two names go side by side. Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries, filled with alluring natural beauty, diverse geography, landscapes, culture, and tradition. Situated in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, Nepal is considered Dev Bhumi, or the land of gods. Two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism co-exist side by side in perfect harmony.

The rich tapestry of the cultural heritage of Nepal can be seen, in the Kathmandu Valley. The ancient cities of Patan, Kathmandu, and Bhaktapur represent the epitome of harmony in urban design, elegant architecture, and refined culture. These cities are full of religious monuments, including 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Geography:
Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mainly situated in the Himalayas, but it also includes some parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The autonomous region of Tibet is to the North and India in the south, east and west.

Nepal has a diverse geography, including fertile plains, subalpine forested hills, and high mountains. Out of ten, eight of the world’s tallest mountains, including Mount Everest is in Nepal.

Nepal is divided into three major regions:
The Terai region, the Hilly region, and the Himalayan region.

Area:
The total surface area of Nepal is 147,181 square kilometers.

Population:
The current population of Nepal is 30,015,158 as of March 2022, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data.

Capital city:
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is set in a valley surrounded by the Himalayan mountains all around.

People and ethnics:
Divided into three geographical regions, people differ from region to region. There are about eighty ethnic groups and one hundred twenty-three regional languages.
• Himalayan Region: In the northern Himalayan region lives the Tibetan-speaking group mainly the Sherpas, Dolpas, Lopas, Baragaonlis, and Manangis.
• Hilly Region: Some ethnic groups such as the Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs, Rai, Limbu, and the majority of Brahmans and Chhetris live in the mid-hills and valleys.
• Terai Region: Some ethnic groups of the Terai, mainly Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi, live in the southern lowlands of the Terai.

Languages:
Nepal is a multicultural and multilingual nation. The national language of Nepal is Nepali, but people speak different languages in different regions of Nepal.

Religion:
The main religions followed in Nepal are Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Kirat, and Christianity.

Flora and Fauna:
Due to the variation of climate, Nepal has abundant species of flora and fauna. Nepal has about 8.9% of the total species of birds in the world. It has 4.2 % of the world’s butterfly species and 3.96 % of the world’s mammal species. Nepal holds 2% of the world’s orchids (more than 360 species), and 6% percent of the world’s rhododendron species.

Government:
Nepal, officially the federal democratic republic of Nepal, has a parliamentary democratic government.

GDP
The current GDP of Nepal is US$36.084 billion(estimated 2021)

GDP per head:
GDP per capita of Nepal is $1,236 (estimated 2021)

Major industries:
The major industries of Nepal are Tourism, handicrafts, Agriculture, Forestry, manufacturing, and Water resources

Climate:
Nepal’s climate varies with its topography. It ranges from sub-tropical to alpine depending upon the altitude. The Terai region has a hot and humid climate. The mid-hills are pleasant and the mountainous region has a sub-alpine to alpine type of climate.

Seasons:
Nepal has four seasons namely:
• Summer/Monsoon Season(June-Aug)
• Autumn(September-November)
• Winter(December- February)
• Spring (March-May)

Airports in Nepal:
There are altogether 53 airports in Nepal(including domestic and international). Only 33 airports are in operation. Nepal has two international operations, the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini. By the end of the year 2022, Pokhara International Airport will also come into operation.