Geography In Nepal

The Kingdom of Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers, and stretches 145 to 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 degree east, Nepal is topographically divided into three regions.

The Himalaya: The Himalayan range makes up the northern border of the country and represents 16% of the total area of Nepal. Peaks like Mt. Everest (8848 m.) Kanchen Junga (8598 m.), and Dhaulagiri (8167 m.) are found here and sparse vegetation is found up to 4,500 m. Some of the Nepal's most beautiful animal and plant-life are also found here. Although rare, the snow leopard and Danphe bird are much talked-about sights among visitors. The people in this region produce and sell cheese besides working as mountain-guides and porters. Many also trade Tibet and across the boarder to sell their gods.

The Hills: This region covers 65% of the total land area of the country. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is located here., Elevation range from 500 to 3,000 m. above sea level. During summer the temperature reaches an average of 32 degree Celsius. Winter are cold, temperature sometimes reaches minus 1 degree Celsius. Areas in the eastern hills receive more rainfall because of the monsoon clouds, which come from the southeast. The rivers in the west, which do not receive much rainfall, are dependent upon the melted snow that flows down the Himalayas. Wild animals to be found here are the spotted leopard, barking deer, and Himalayan black bear. The hilly region is also popular for different kinds of birds. Over four hundred species of birds are found here.

The Terai: The Terai - Low Land covers 17% of the total land area of Nepal. It provides excellent farming land and the average elevation of flatlands is 100 to 300 m. above sea level. In the sub-tropical forest areas of Terai are found, marshes and wildlife, which include the Royal Bengal tiger, one horned rhino, and the Gharial crocodile etc. About 48% of the country's population occupies this region. Flat farmlands and the region's flexible topography have given rise to many industries.