Le Népal

Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references: Asia
Capital: Kathmandu
Area: total: 147,181 Sq. Kms
Land: 142,981 Sq. Kms
Water: 4,200 Sq Kms
Area - comparative: Slightly larger than Arkansas
Land boundaries: Total: 2,926 kms
Border countries: China 1,236 kms, India 1,690 kms
Population: 23,151,423
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: None (landlocked)
Per Capita Income: US$ 269
Inflation: 4.4%
Gross Domastic Product: 3.6%
Political System: Multiparty Democracy with Constitutional Monarch.
People: 40 Ethnic Groups and 70 Spoken Languages.
Religion: Hindu

Topocraphy: From the world's deepest gorge,"Kali Gandaki" to the world's highest point on the earth " Mount EVEREST" (8,848 M)Hilly and mountainous 77% and Terai lowlands 23%.

Weather: Climate ranges from Tropical in the low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes.

Seasons:
Winter ( December to February. -1 to 15 )
Summer (March to May, 24 to 32)
Monsoon (June to August) and
Autumn (September to November, 10 to 18)

Visa: Available at Royal Nepalese Embassies and Royal Nepalese Consulates abroad or on arrival ta Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. For furtehr details, writes us at puspa@mos.com.np

Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north.

Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m, highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999 est.)

Natural resources: Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore etc.

Land use: arable land: 17%, permanent crops: 0%, permanent pastures: 15%,forests and woodland: 42%, other: 26% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 8,500 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: Severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons.

Environment - current issues: Deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions

TIME: Nepal Time is 5 Hours 45 Minutes ahead of GMT