Geography of Nepal

The geography of Nepal consists of nearly all types of climate within its small area of 147;181 sq km. It rises from less then 100 meters elevation in Terai to the northern rim of Gangetic Plain, beyond the perpetual snow line to some of the Earth's highest mountains. Nepal shares its boarders with India in East, West and South and with China in the North. This results the dependance of Nepal in India to access to the sea, the Bay of Bangal.
Nepal can be divided into three belts from South to North; Terai, Hill and Mountain Regions. The ever snow capped mountains are the source of ever flowing rivers of Nepal cutting the middle Hills.

The Terai Region
The Terai region generally named as Madhesh region starts from the Indian boarder and includes the southern part of Nepal. Its land structure is almost flat and is really fertile, so its Nick is "Store House of Nepal". Culturally, its an extension of Northern India and shares most of its festivals too. Hindi, Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Maithili are the spoken language of this region, which is more than Nepali speaking in that region. The Terai starts with intensively farmed gangetic plain named Outer Terai. The outer Terai ends with the first range of foothills called Siwalik or Churia, which has a densely forested area called the Bhabhar Prades, followed by the Siwaliks which rise upto 700 meters wit peaks as high as 1000 meters, steeper on the southern flanks. The Terai ends and the Hills begin relatively at the higher range called the Mahabharat Range.

The Hill Region
Above the bed of Terai region, there lies the beautiful range of hills(Pahar of Nepal). It ranges from 700 to 4,000 meters in altitude. This region begins from The Mahabharat Lekh which steeps southern sides which are mostly unhabited. Northern slopes are gentler and moderately habitated. North to this includes Nepali speaking Hindus and Newar merchants and the the valleys suited for rice cultivation as high as 2,000 meters. The growing city of the country, Kathmandu and Pokhara Valleys fall within this region. Maize, millet, barley and potatoes are the other staples here. temperate and subtropical fruits are favoured in this region.

The Mountain Range
The Mountain Region rises into the zone of perpetual snow along the Main Central Thust fault zone. North of the Hills, the Himalayas rise as the virtual wall beyond the snowline at 5,000 to 5,500 meters to some 90 peaks over 7,000 meters and 8 exceeding 8,000 meters including The Mount Everest(Worlds tallest peak) at 8,848 meters and Kanchanjunga at 8,598 meters. Himalayas are not continuous across Nepal, unlike of the Hills. Alpine valleys including Humla, Jumla, Dolpa, Mustang and Khumbu lie between the Himalays, are lightly populated with Tibetian affinities called Bhotiya, among which the Sherpas in Kumbhu valley below Mount Everest. Bhotiya language and culture are found in this regiom upto the Tibet.

Entertainment in Nepal

Nepal has been one of the toutists best destination of spending their holidays. Night life, Casinos, Cultural programmes, Local bands and the Bar scene, Jungle Safari, trekking are some attractions for the visitors to Nepal.

Night life of Nepal:
Over many years, the habit of Kathmandu settlers have changed and they have started their night life. Establishment of Casinos in Nepal just suggests us that Nepalese have beguned their night life culture. As gambling has been a part of our culture, Casinos has thus been successful to sustain itself in our culture. The top hotels provides you with the expirence of Nepals best casinos with 24 hours services.

Cultural Programmes:
There are several places in Kathmandu which provides with folk dance and music every evening. It shows the joy of experience to the viewers and he listeners. Often tourists can observe the Newari Jatra in Kathmandu Valley which is typical to Newars of Kathmandu. The rural evenings are often filled with the village song festivals and spontaneous gatherings.

Jungle Safari:
The Southern part of Nepal, the Terai lowlands is fovered by the dense decidious forest which are suitable for jungle safari. Here you can find some of the finest wildlife in Asia and is definately the ultimate in sub- tropical adventure. You can experience the ultimate wildlife of Terai by using the four wheel drive or you have the option of riding on elephant's back for the view of Gharial crocodile, beautiful species of birds and butterflies, The Rock Python, One horned Rhino, Elephants, Tigers which resides in terai. 14 National Parks of Nepal have served in conserving the wildlife of Nepal.

Cultures of Nepal

The rich culture of Nepal has its history which dates back to many centuries. The multi-dimensional cultural heritage centers the various cultural diversities of various ethnic, tribal, and social groups. It exists in various forms: music and dance, art and crafts, language and literature, festivals and celebrations, foods and drinks.
Each temple is related to any of the legend or belief of miraculous powers of its deity. Like the temples of Kathmandu Valley are popular for their true wishes. Hundreds of temples and stupas are located in and around the Kathmandu Valley. This makes it the city of ancient culture. Some of the famous pilgramage around the valley are Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Barah Chhetra, Janakpur, Lumbini, Manakamana, Gorkha, Gosainkunda, Tansen, Pathibhara, etc.
Nepali people also celebrate several festivals around the year. Each of them are of their own importance and values. Sweta Machendranath Snan, Swasthani Puja, Mange Sankrati, Saraswati Puja are some festivals that Nepalese observe in the month of Jan-Feb, followed by Maha Shivaratri, Losar, Phagu Purnima in Feb- Mar, Chaiti Dasai, Ghode Jatra in Mar- April, Bisket Jatra, Nepali New year, Reto Mavhendranath Jatra, Buddha Jyanti in April- May, Gunla and Janai Purnima in May- June, Gai Jatra, Krisna Asthami and Teej in Aug-Sept, Indra Jatra, Dasain in Sept- Oct, Tihar in Oct- Nov and ends with Bala Chaturdasi and Bibah Panchami In Nov- Dec.

Religions in Nepal

Nepalese follow many religions spreading from the east to the west. Majority follow Hinduism, followed by Buddhism, Muslim and Christianity. Hindus are widespread all over the country whereas others are centered to some parts only. The concentration of Buddhist were mostly in found in eastern hills, the Kathmandu Valley and the central Terai. Majority of the Buddhist were from Newar and the Tibeto-Nepalese in the upper hills. Hindu influence was more in M agar, Sunwar, and Rai people. As both Hindu and Buddhist are Dharmic religions, they accept each other's practices.

Hinduism in Nepal:
Hindus believe that their lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came in Nepal as deer and protected Hindu civilization. An interesting story about Nepali flag is that Hindu lord Vishnu had handed the the flag to Nepali people for the purpose of battling demons, according to the Hindu Purana.

Buddhism in Nepal:
Buddhism is the holy religion followed by the people of northern areas, which are inhabited by Tibetan-related peoples, Sherpa, Manangi, Thakali, Lopa, Lhomi, Dolpa and Nyimba. Their Lord Buddha was born in Nepal so its influence is strong in Nepal. Nepalese princes Bhrikuti and artist Araniko played important role in spreading Buddhism in Tibet. Buddhism has sustained from 563 BCE up to this period and flourished all around the world. The birth place of Lord Buddha, Lumbini is the holy place for Buddhist and visited by many Buddhist and others every year. It has helped in flourishing the Nepalese Culture in the world.

Islam in Nepal:
Islam is followed by about 2% of the Nepalese population(about .5 followers). Islam was introduced by the Indian Muslim who visited Nepal and permanently resided in Nepal. Its number has been concentrated among their family root only.

Christianity in Nepal:
Christianity is also followed in Nepal and its number is increasing every year. The Capuchin were the first who established the Christian Missionaries in Nepal in 1715. The then Malla kings of Nepal wanted to trade with Europeans and let establish their mission in Nepal. Nepal is changing by the flow of globe and many Hindu and Buddhist are being converted by trusting Jesus Christ as the savior and the Lord.

Political Parties of Nepal

There are hundreds of political parties that exist in Nepal but only 24 of them are represented in constituent assembly. They are listed below.

• Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)

• Nepali Congress
• Communist Party of Nepal(United Marxist-Leninist)
• Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal
• Terai-Madhesh Loktantrik Party
• Sadbhvana Party
• Communist Party of Nepal(Marxist-Leninist)
• Rastriya Prajantra Party
• Janamorcha Nepal
• Communist Party of Nepal(United)
• Nepal Workers Peasants Party
• Rastriya Janamorcha
• Rastriya Prajantra Party Nepal
• Rastriya Janshakti Party
• Communist Party of Nepal
• Nepal Sadbhavana Party(Anandidevi)
• Nepali Janata Dal
• Rastriya Janamukti Party
• Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya manch
• Rastriya Ekta Party Nepal
• Dalit Janajati Party
• Nepal Loktantrik Samajbadi Dal
• Nepal Parivar Dal
• Samajbadi Prajantantrik Janata Party, Nepal
  

Nepal: General Introduction

Nepal, in general is a country full of natural resources. It has got many known and unknown treasures inside. With its ancient culture and Himalayas as a top roof, landlocked Nepal has a romantic image. Nepal is nonetheless one of the world's beautiful countries, it has been attracting outer visitors every year and this counted 526,705 this year.
Until Nepal became a republic in May 2008, it had been under the control of monarchs for most of its modern history in relative isolation to the outer world.

Facts:
Population:- 29.3 million(UN)
Capital:- Kathmandu
Area:- 147,181 sq km (56,827 sq miles)
Major language:- Nepali
Major Religions:- Hinduism, Buddhism
Life Expectancy:- 66 yrs(men), 67 yrs(women) (UN)
Monetary value:- 1 Nepalese rupee= 100 paisa
Main exports:- Carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grains
Per capita income:- US $400 (World Bank, 2008)
Internet Domain:- .np
International dialing code:- +977

Current situations:-
President: Ram Baran Yadav
Dr. Yadav became the first president of Republican Nepal in July 2008, nearly 2 months after the new constituent assembly had voted to abolish the 239-years old monarchy.

Prime Minister:- Madhav Kumar Nepal
The Nepalese parliament elected the communist leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as the country's prime minister on 23 May 2009. Mr. Nepal won the back force of an alliance of 22 parties that holds 350 seats in 601-member constituent assembly. Drafting new constituent assembly is a big challenge for him.