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Nepal Geography
The Kingdom 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 land locked
between India in the south, east and west and
China (Tibet) 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 Himalayas to the north, the hills consisting of
the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills, 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. To the north temperatures are below -40 degrees Celsius and in the Terai,
temperatures rise to 40 degrees celsius in the summer. During June, July and
August, the kingdom is influenced by monsoon clouds.
The Himalayas:
The Himalayan range makes up the northern border of the country and represents
16% of the total land area of Nepal. Peaks like Mt. Everest (8848 m),
Kanchenjunga (8598 m), and Dhaulagiri (8137 m) are found here and sparse
vegetation is found up to 4,500m. This region is famous for
mountaineering expeditions,
peak climbing and
adventurer trekking programs.
The Hills:
This region covers 65% of the total land area of the country. Kathmandu, the
capital of Nepal is located here. Elevations range from 500 to 3,000 m above sea
level. During summer the temperature reaches an average of 32 degrees Celsius.
Winters are cold, temperature reaching - 1 degree Celsius sometimes. The hills
of Nepal are wel known for smooth
trekking and
hiking. Similarly this region is wel known for
rafting trip on white watered rivers.
The Terai:
The Terai 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. Sub-tropical forest areas, marshes, and wildlife which include the
Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhino, and the gharial crocodile are found here.
Chitwan National Park and Bardiya National Park lies in Terai which are well
famous
for jungle safari in Nepal.
Geographic coordinates: 28 00
N, 84 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 140,800 sq km
land: 136,800 sq km
water: 4,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly
larger than Arkansas
Land boundaries:
total: 2,926 km
border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none
(landlocked)
Climate: varies from cool
summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in
south
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
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
Environment - international
agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note: landlocked;
strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest
peaks |
