Location in the Globe : Asia between India in south east west and China in North.
Area : 147,181 sq.km.
Capital City : Kathmandu Population some 1 Million known as city of temples.
Population : 30 Million
Best Activities to do : Trekking in Nepal, Bird watching in Nepal, Short trekking in Nepal, Tours in Nepal, Helicopter tour in Nepal
Language : Nepali is the national Language along with more than 72 Ethnic Languages and Dialects. However Travel and trade people understand and speak English.
Climate : Nepal has four seasons and can be visited all round the year.
Winter December _ February : It is difficult season to make the high passes because of the snow.
Spring March – May : This is great season to visit the country. The weather is little hot in the lowland and normal in the higher mountains. This is the Flowering season and nice to Trek.
Summer June- August : It is rainy season for Nepal and Trek can be little difficult with the flood/ rain and insects. But it is the best season to see the waterfalls/ greenery of the mountains.
Autumn September- November : This is another best season to visit Nepal. The weather is the most appropriate to trek or tour. The mountains are seen beautiful in this season.
Currency : Nepali Rupees.
People & Religion
Here different threads of human life seem to belong in one fabric.
Nepal is the museum of the human races or even said as the anthropological pilgrimage. The population of the country is 30 million with the density of 156.27 per square kilometers as the National Census 2012 A.D. roughly the majority of the peoples are the Indo-Aryans and the remainder is of Mongoloid origin. The peoples in the Himalayan are called Tibeto-Mongoloid by races and Tibeto-Buddhist by religion. They speak Tibetan language and their own dialects. Their life is based on the Trans- Himalayan trade and Cis- Himalayan trade. It was believed that the people called the Sherpas of the North East Nepal were the migrants of the eastern Tibet.
In the midhill region the peoples are living with agriculture. Newars are the main ethnic group of Kathmandu and are mostly associated in business. Magars, Gurungs, Rai and Limbus form the warrior class and are famous throughout the world as Brave Gurkhas. Terai had been poorly inhabited for long time because of the fear of so-called disease Malaria .It was covered with the dense forests for many years and now mass deforestation has made this region better place to live. During the course of time people from mid-hills started migrating to this region as they found the land there rich enough for cultivation. Rapid migration is affecting the density of population.
Nepal is regarded as the only Hindu Kingdom. Officially, large number of the population is believed as the followers of Hinduism. It is believed as the oldest religion and guided by the oral tradition for long time. For Hindus Himalayas has been described in the Epics as the playground of the Gods and Goddesses. There are so many sacred places, temples shrines and monuments for Hindus in all around this Himalayan country.
Though Buddhism was founded some 2600 yrs back by the lord Buddha in the southern part of the present Nepal, Buddhism occupies second place in the country and chiefly dominant in the northern part and in the Kathmandu Valley. Lumbini the birth place of Lord Buddha is now the best and most important pilgrimage for Buddhists. In the southern part there is some number of the Islam. The practices of Animism and Shamanism are another type of practice which is very rare with the modern attack in the society .Now the increasing numbers of the Christianity belief shows its influence upon Nepalese. In fact Hinduism and Buddhism exist side by side along with others and showing the perfect harmony of the religious practices.
History Of Nepal
Upto 1990
Nepal carries long history of civilization, culture, tradition, politics and heritage. The country that remained divided for centuries got a chance to merge into one creating a unified Nepal lying in the lap of the mighty Himalayas after the energetic work of Unification by Prithivi Narayan Shah of Gorkha in 1768 AD. Shah dynasty then rules the country under many Kings.
Before the Unification of scattered small Kingdoms Kathmandu, the present capital of Nepal was governed by different dynasties. Kirati who came from East & believed to be of the Mongolian origin was the first as far as the establishment of powerful kingdom is concerned. Then Licchavis ruled the valley for long period who raised the enthusiasm for arts and crafts in the heart of the inhabitants and the examples of the same can be seen embodied in the heart and soul of the people living here. It was during the period of the Licchavis, Araniko, the master of wood carving went to China to spread the essence that was born in Nepal in the form of Pagoda architecture. After the downfall of the Licchavis Mallas, Who came from the Indian territories were the ones to give continuance of the arts and crafts through the addition of more temples and other structures.
Rana Prime Minister rule for 104 years during these years ended in 1950's who ruled under complete tyranny. No educations were allowed and no legal provisions were active, they did under their own belief and mood. It was noted as Black Days for Nepalese history.
Nepalese People demonstration and struggle went on after 1950's for many times. The king again started another tyrannical system called Panchyat banning all movement of political parties and democracy. In 1990 people's demonstration could restore little democracy and formed new constitution with some power to King. The new democratic movement under Constitutional Monarch started to show better results in development than that of previous any system.
After 1990
Nepal improved in Education, Health and Transportation some but not as expected and Political Parties and Leaders did not handle the country with much respect. Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) a Rebel group started armed struggle against the Government from 1996 with the aim of establishing a Republican state.
In 2001, the Royal Massacre happened in the Royal Palace and the then King / Queen / 02 Sons / Daughter and other members of family more than 10 killed. Younger brother was appointed as a new King of nation. He then started to rule autocratic way showing the fault of Political leaders and then terror and fear of armed Maoist. In Feb 2001, the King seized a total power and appoints himself as the head of State ruling with more ambitions sending the leaders into jail.
In 2006
The War of Maoist after 10 years claimed almost 15000 lives. King became more ambitious to rule in this 21st century by capturing the leaders and neglecting the human rights and global pressure. The Political parties signed 12 points understanding with Maoist (Rebel Group) in Jan 2006 to establish the Democratic Republican State and go for Constituent Assembly Election and agreed to demonstrate peacefully against the King and his Government. According to this agreement there was huge protest and nationwide strike from 06th April to 24th April 2006 for 18 days. Millions of Nepalese People demonstrates in the street against the curfew orders of the Government. 18 People died in this demonstration nationwide and the King were forced to save him and handover the power to people again. Now we are under the process of arms settlement , election of Constituent Assembly and write new constitution as the people want to make them sovereign. This is commented as the worlds' probably biggest peaceful protest and success in History ever since.
Now onward this beautiful country of Mount Everest with magic Himalayan ranges, Birthplace of Buddha wait for everlasting peace, progress and development.
Geography
Nepal is a landlocked country situated within the Latitude of 26°20’N to 30°26’N & longitude of 80°03’E to 88°15’E between the Asian Giants India and China. She occupies 147,181sq.km of the surface of the Earth and is rectangular in shape carrying long history of her origin. It was believed that there was the Tethys Sea between Indian and Tibetan Plateau. During the course of time the smaller Landmass (India) started moving towards north to join itself with the bigger Asian Landmass. During such course of action that took thousands of years and due to the pressure of those great plates coming together the bottom of the Sea started to rise slowly and formed the Mighty and Majestic Himalayas. This fact has been amply proved by the fossils of the marine life found in the Kali Gandaki Gorge. She has the highest mountain in the world as well as the deepest George.
Nepal is divided into 3 topographical regions. Himalayan Region which is the most attractive region covers 15% of the whole land and is decorated with the snow capped mountains for all season where the highest point on earth (Mt. Everest 8848 m.) situated along with other numbers of mountains over 6000 m. Mid Hill Region is rich for green landscapes. It covers 68% of the total land. The major cities like the capital of the country Kathmandu and scenic city Pokhara lie in this region. This is the region with the reflection of Nepal’s reality of being the kingdom in Himalaya along with the Nepalese life. Terai Region lies in the southern part of the country. It covers 17% of the total land. The climate is tropical here and the life is more comfortable. The density of population is more here now days. Once it was covered with the dense forest so no people lived there with the fear of Malaria. Some of the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves are situated in this region.
Climate
Nepal has the sub-tropical climate .But the climatic conditions vary considerably form place to place. To be so the country has the varied altitude like from less than 100m.upto more than 8000m.and the slope and the direction of the mountains also affect the climate. North facing mountains are comparatively cooler than south facing mountains. Kathmandu the capital of Nepal has nice climatic condition. The coolest night in Kathmandu is -4° c and in summer it is approximately 30° / 32 °. Pokhara is the rainiest place of Nepal
Economy
The economy of Nepal is chiefly based on agriculture. Most of the peoples are employed in this field. After 1950 Nepal gained its importance as perfect and safe destination for people with the interest in traveling, adventure and other activities of their choice. The snowcapped mountains of Nepal Himalayas have inspired many peoples to come up to to this country for mountaineering expeditions. Thus we can say that the life of the peoples now more depends on tourism industry. With the introduction of the tourism, the production of the garments, crafts, carpets and other things introduced in the market of other continent and the export of those things help to maintain the poor economy. The development expenditure is largely drawn from the funds of Developed countries. It has increased the capacity of GDP and inflation after the arrival of Democracy though the presently disturbed political situation affects its economic condition.
Art & Architecture
Nepal’s artistic beauty is worthy to explain. Inspiration for arts and crafts obviously came from India and Tibet. But the most important are the indigenous arts and crafts of this Himalayan Kingdom. From the time of the Licchavis there was the great change in Arts and architecture. Propagation of stone sculpture was tremendous during this era. The Religious sites were decorated superbly. The temples and Stupas of Kathmandu valley are the examples of the great effort of the medieval artisans. Wood carving in the temples depicting the forms of Gods and Goddesses as well as the life of the then people is another feature of the Nepali arts and wood carvings
Why Nepal to Travel ?
• Nepal is one of the richest countries in terms of its bio-diversity.
• Nepal has the top most Trekking routes on the earth.
• The Highest Mountain on the earth Mt. Everest 8848 m. 29058 ft. with other 7 mountains over 8000 meters.
• Nepal Occupying only 0.1 % of the earth is the home to:
• 2% of all the flowering plants / 4% of mammals on earth / 600 indigenous plant families.
• 8% of the world’s population of birds (more than 848 species) (One of the best destinations for bird watching tour)
• 11 of world’s 15 families of butterflies and 319 species of exotic Orchids.
• Nepal the birth Place of the Buddha the founder of Buddhist Philosophy.
A Visa is necessary to enter Nepal and can be obtained for the following duration from any Nepalese Embassy or Consulate in your country or nearest or at the Immigration office located the following Entry Points in Nepal. ( Visitors from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Srilanka, Maldives, Bhutan will not have to pay visa fee to travel Nepal )
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
- Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
- Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
- Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
- Belahia, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
- Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
- Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
- Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)
Visa Information
Single entry tourist visas can be obtained by paying US $30 for 60 days.
If you wish to leave and re-enter the country, you'll need to pay additional fees. US $25 for Single Re-entry, US $40 for Double Re-entry and US $60 for Multiple Re-entries.
If you leave and wish to Re-enter Nepal as a tourist within 150 day of the same visa year, you may pay US $50 for 30 days.
Visitors may extend their tourist visa by paying US $50 for 30 days.
Business visas with multiple entry facilities are available at a rate of US $100 for one year and US $250 for five years. Ministry of Industry recommendation is required.
Residential Visa
This visa is for those people who want to permanently live in Nepal.
For the first year a fee of US$200 needs to be paid, and then each year it's renewed a fee of US$100. It's a multiply entry visa so you can come in and out of Nepal as you like
Obtaining a Transit Visa for Nepal
A transit visa can be obtained from Airport Immigration for a period of 48 hrs. on the presentation of airline ticket.