Facts about Nepal
Nepal is a Kingdom of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic
monuments exotic wild life and diverse culture. It is the land where Lord
Buddha was born over 2,500 years ago. Roughly rectangular in shape the kingdom
of Nepal is situated between China to the north and India to the south. The
land extends approximately 885 km. East to west, and 193 km north to south.
Nepal is primarily an agricultural country. Tourism, Carpets and Garments are
the major industries.
The Land:
The terrain rises from the terai, the southern plains covered
with tropical jungles and fertile farmland at almost sea level, to the high
Himalayan mountains in the north with the valleys and lush green hills in
between within a distance of less then 200 km. Eight of the 10 highest peaks in
the world lie in Nepal.
The People:
Nepal’s many ethnic
groups are as varied as its land with their own languages and cultures. In the
Kathmandu valley are Newars, whose artistry have earned them an international
reputation. The Sherpas of the Himalayas are known as tough mountain climbers.
Brahmins and Chhettris are scattered over the hills and valleys, and Tamang are
found in the districts around Kathmandu valley. The Rais, Limbus, Magars and
Gurungs of the mid hills have earned as Gurkhas soldiers. Lowland ethnic group s
such as the Maithali, Bhojpuri and Tharu enhance the colorful mosaic, the
population of Nepal is about 23 million.
The Climate:
Nepal contains a variety of
climatic conditions ranging from the tropical heat of the Terai plains to the
freezing cold of the high Himalayas. The mid hills, particularly the Kathmandu
valley, are pleasant with warm summer and cool winter. Temperature range between
a maximum of 37 and a minimum of 8 degree Celsius in the plains, 28 and 2 degree
Celsius in Kathmandu valley, and between, 6 and 16 degree Celsius in the
mountains. The rainy season lasts from June to August
What to wear:
Medium weight and easy to wash cottons can be a good choice
year around in the Kathmandu valley. From
October to February, woolen sweaters, Jackets or similar other outfits are
necessary. Short or long sleeved shirts are good from March through May. From
June to September, light and loose garments are advisable.
Wild Life:
Nepal provides shelter to over 30 species of large wild
animals and approximately 180 species of mammals. The rhinoceros, tigers,
crocodiles, snow leopard red panda, Himalayan black dear, and many others beasts
are found Nepal's jungles.
Nepal is also a haven for birds and over 800 species,
representing approximately 10% of the world's population are found here. There
are more then 650 species of butterflies and over 6,000 species of months.
Language:
Nepali, written in the Devanagari script, is national language
as well as the lingau Franca for Nepal ’diverse communities. Many languages
and dialects are the spoken in the Kingdom, however, only 8 (Nepali, Maithali,
Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Gurung, Rais, Limbus, Newari, Sherpas and Nepalbhasa)
are spoken by more then half million people. English and Hindi are widely
understood in the urban centers and places frequented by tourists
Currency:
Nepalese Currency is the rupee (Aubrey. RS wish is divided
into 100 paisa, bank notes come in denominations of 1000, and 500,50,20,10,5,2
and 1 rupees. Approximate exchange rate at the time of going to press US$ 1= RS
76.00 and Euro 1 = RS 67.00
Source by: Tourism Board
(NTB)