Amrit Man Shrestha

About Nepal ::

Time/Date ::

Location :: Between India and the Tibetan Autonomous region of the People's Republic of China

Area :: 147,181 Sq. Kms.

Longitude :: 80 deg. 4' and 88 deg. 12' East

Capital :: Kathmandu

People :: 103 Ethnic Groups and 93 spoken languages.

Political System :: Multiparty democracy with contitutional monarchy

Topography :: From the world's deepest gorge "Kaligandaki" to Mt. Everest, the highest point on the earth.

Language :: Nepali 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 sovereign country with glorious history, culture and tradition that date back to the time immemorial. Before the campaign of national integration was launched by King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the Kathmandu Valley was ruled by the Malla kings, whose contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique. In 1768 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(IST).

Vegetation :: Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from Sub-Tropical rain forests to Alpine deserts.

Weather :: Climate ranges from Tropical in the lowlands to arctic higher altitudes.

Religion :: Nepal is the only country in the world with majority of Hindus. Buddhism, Islam and Christian religions are follwed by some people. All religions even in minority have co-existed amicably in Nepal for ages.

Seasons :: Autumn (September-November), Winter (December-February), Summer (March-May), Monsoon (June-August).

National Bird :: Impean Pheasant (Danfe)

National Flower :: Rhododendron- Arboreum (Lali Gurans)

Electricity :: 220 Volts AC - 50 Cycles throughout the country.

Nepal is the only country in the world which contains,

The highest mountain peak in the world (Mt. 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.
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 occupying only 0.1% of the earth is the 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 the earth.
11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species).
600 indigenous plant families.
319 species of exotic orchids.