Nepal covers a span of 147,181 sq. kilometers ranging from altitude of 70 meters to 8,848 meters. Mountains, mid hills, valleys and plains dominate the geography of landlocked Nepal that extends from the Himalayan range in the north to the Indo-Gangetic lowlands in south. Mt. Everest, the highest point of the Himalayas is in Nepal.

Physical features also include green paddy terraces, wind-swept deserts, dense forests and marshy grasslands. The country is well endowed with perennial rivers, lakes and glacial lakes that originate in the Himalayas. Twenty percent of the land in the country is used for agriculture, where 0.49 percent is used for permanent crops, mainly rice.

Climatic conditions of Nepal vary from one place to another in accordance with the geographical features. In the north summers are cool and winters severe, while in south summers are sub tropical and winters mild.

The variety in Nepal's topography provides home to wildlife like tigers, rhinos, monkeys, bears, yaks, leopards and different species of insects and birds. Nepal is a home to almost 10 percent of the world's bird species among which 500 species are found in the Kathmandu Valley.

The country has managed to preserve some endangered species of Asia in its extensive parks and protected natural habitats. The most abundant natural resource in Nepal is water. Other resources found here are quartz, timber, lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore and scenic beauty.

UNESCO World Heritage sites

Seven World heritages sites located in the Kathmandu valley are found within radius of 20 kms. Easy access from one to another makes people visiting a site go for rest others. Swayambhu, Bouddhanath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changunarayan, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Lumbini are placed in Cultural World Heritage Sites. While Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park are placed in Natural World Heritage Sites.

 World Heritage Sites (Cultural):

  • Kathmandu Durbar Square
  • Bhaktapur Durbar Square
  • Patan Durbar Square
  • Swoyambhunath
  • Pashupatinath
  • Bouddhanath
  • Changunarayan
  • Lumbini


World Heritage Sites (Natural):

  • Chitwan National Park
  • Sagarmatha National Park

National Parks and Wildlife Reserves of Nepal

Nepal has nine National Parks and four Wildlife Reserves. About 15,000 square kilometers amounting to almost 18 percent of the total area is protected. This is an amazing commitment to conservation. The Terai lowlands are defined by a belt of well-watered floodplains stretching from the Indian border northward to the first slopes of the Bhabhar and the Siwalik Range. This is the richest habitat in the land with tall grasslands interspersed with riverine and hardwood Sal Forest. Here one can see wildlife such as the swamp deer, musk deer, black buck, blue bull, the Royal Bengal Tiger, gharial and marsh mugger crocodile and the last of a breed of Asiatic wild buffalo. Parks and Reserves are also rich in bird species with a variety of babbles and orioles, koels and drongos, peacocks and floricans, and a multitude of wintering wildfowl.

National PARKS

  • Shey-Phoksundo National Park
  • Sagarmatha National Park
  • Makalu Barun National Park
  • Chitwan National Park
  • Langtang National Park
  • Shivapuri National Park
  • Khaptad National Park
  • Rara National Park
  • Bardia National Park

WILDLIFE RESERVES

  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
  • Annapurna Conservation Area
  • Shukla Phant Wildlife Reserve
  • Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
  • Koshi-Tappu Wildlife Reserve
  • Manaslu Conservation Area
  • Parsa Wildlife Reserve

Popular Tourist Destination (By road/Air)
Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Gorkha, Pokhara, Baglung, Tansen, Lumbini, Janakpur, Bardia, Chitwan, Dhankuta, Dharan, Ilam, Dolakha, Kosit Tappu etc.

Popular Tourist Destination (By Trek)

Annapurna, Jomsom, Manang, Mustang, Dolpo, Rara, Jumla, Lukla, Syangboche, Larke, Rolwaling, Khaptad, Manaslu, Makalu - Barun, Gosainkunda, Langtang, Helambhu, Namchebazar, Muktinath, Kanchanjunga

Vegetation and Wildlife
Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical Rain forests to Alpine deserts. There are more than 6000 flowering plant species in Nepal. There are several native plants, which are originated in Nepal. Himalayan Rhododendron is the most famous one.
Wildlife: Nepal has 30 species of large wild animals and approximately 180 species of mammal's .The one horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, crocodile, snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, and many other wild animals are found in the forests of Nepal. Nepal has 840 different species of wetland, migratory and residential birds

Geography:

Nepal, a sovereign independent kingdom, (between 80° 4' and 88° 12' East longitude and 26° 22' and 30° 27' North latitude) is bounded on the North by the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, the East-South and West by India. The length of the Kingdom is 885 kilometers east west, and its breadth varies from 145-241 kilometers north south. The country can be divided into three main geographical regions. From the world's deepest gorge Kali-Gandaki to Highest point on earth the Mt. Everest.

(a) Himalayan Region: The altitude of this region ranges between 4877 m. - 8848 m. m. It includes 8 of the higest 14 summits in the world, which exceed altitude of 8000 meters including, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and others.

(b) Mountain Region: This region accounts for about 64 percent of total land area. The Mahabharat range that soars up to 4877 meter and the lower Churia range form it.

(c) Terai Region: The lowland Terai occupies about 17 percent of the total land area of the country.

There is no seasonal constraint on traveling in and through Nepal. Even in December and January, when the winter is at its severest, there are compensating bright sun and brilliant views.

Climate:

Nepal has a great deal of variation in climate... and a tropical and subtropical climate exists in the Tarai Region. Outside the Tarai, however, the climate is completely different. The remarkable differences in climatic conditions are primarily related to the enormous range of altitude within such a short north-south distance. The presence of the east-west-trending Himalayan massifs to the north and the monsoon alteration of wet and dry seasons also greatly contribute to local variations in climate.... five climatic zones in Nepal based on altitude: the tropical and subtropical zone of below 1,200 meters in altitude; the cool, temperate zone of 1,200 to 2,400 meters in altitude; the cold zone of 2,400 to 3,600 meters in altitude; the sub arctic climatic zone of 3,600 to 4,400 meters in altitude; and the arctic zone above 4,400 meters in altitude. In terms of natural vegetation regimes or distribution patterns, altitude again plays a significant role. Below 1,200 meters, the dominant form of vegetation consists of tropical and subtropical rain forests.

Nepal's weather is generally predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons:

(a)  Spring: March-May,

(b)  Summer: June-August

(c)  Autumn: September-November and

(d)  Winter: December-February.

The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80 per cent of the rainfalls during that period, so the remainder of the year is dry. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; winter temperatures drop to freezing with a high level of snowfall in the mountains. Summer and late spring temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) in the hill regions to more than 40ºC (104ºF) in the Terai. In winter, average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7ºC (45ºF) to a mild 23ºC (74ºF). The central valleys experience a minimum temperature often falling bellow freezing point and a chilly 12ºC (54ºF) maximum. Much colder temperatures prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude of 1310m (4297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19-27ºC (67-81ºF) in summer, and 2-20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.

Biodiversity

The Himalayas country of Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers, and stretches 145-241 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 degrees east, Nepal is topographically divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the north, the hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills in the middle, and the Terai to the south. Elevations are varied in the kingdom. The highest point is Mt. Everest (8848 m) in the north and the lowest point (70 meters above sea level) is located at Kechana Kalan of Jhapa District. Altitude increases as you travel south to north. In the north temperatures are below -40°C and in the Terai, temperatures rise to 40°C in the summer. During June, July and August, the kingdom is influenced by monsoon clouds.

Bird Watching: About 850 species of birds are found in Nepal. With the opening of Koshi Tappu Reserve, bird watching is gaining grounds in Nepal. Koshi Tappu alone has recorded over 250 species of birds. Rare birds include Impeyean pheasant, the national bird, snow cock, snow pigeon, giant horn-bill, saras crane and babblers. The spiny babbler is a rare endemic variety found only in Nepal. Every year migratory birds from Tibet, Siberia and the northern mountains fly to the lowlands and Terai of Nepal. The Koshi Barrage is one of the most important migratory habitats. Bird watching is a very pleasant experience during late autumn and early spring when the migration occurs. Other parks and reserves also attract more birds and birdwatchers.

Flower Tour: Nepal is rich in vegetation. The country's diverse terrain provides ideal conditions for varieties from tropical to hill plants and flowers. Some orchids and certain varieties of rhododendron are very rare and found only in Nepal. Lali Guras or the red rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal. During the right seasons most visitors who come to explore the natural beauty of the country, are fortunate to have a glimpse of spectacular sights of hills covered with rhododendron flowers. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for flowers in Nepal.

Last Updated (Monday, 15 November 2010 09:16)