NEPAL

 The Himalayan Kingdom, Nepal is sandwiched between two giant countries, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India. Situated in between 80th and 88th degrees of east longitude, it is almost rectangular in shape having a length of 500 miles and a breadth varying from 80 to 120 miles. The total area is approximately147,181 sq. kilometers or  56,000 square miles. The population of Nepal is approximately 24 million. 

Generally speaking, the country may be divided into five geo-physically diverse lengthy stripes stretched from east to west. Those stripes may be described as follows: (1) Himal or the Himalayan range- The snow-clad mountain range with their high rising peaks, (2) Zone of long ridges and rugged topography- this zone is consisting of spurs issuing out from the main Himals following the courses and tributaries. (3) Mahabharat Lekh range- this range that runs through the whole length of the country have peaks and valleys varying from 6,000 to 10,000 ft. in altitude. (4) Chure hills and Inner-Terai region- This fourth stripes of Nepal is the outermost zone of mountain areas. This range lying in lower altitude between 2,000 to 4,000 ft. is interrupted by valleys here and there called Bhitri madhesh or Inner Terai. (5) The fifth and southernmost stripe of the Nepalese map is Terai or plain region bordering with India. 

The following General Information on Nepal projects a general overview of the country.

Nepal is sometimes termed paradoxically as one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and spectacularly unique landscapes and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters from the sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from Sub-tropical to the Arctic.

Nepal is the home of  2% of all the flowering plants in the world and 8% of the world’s population of bird species. There are more than 848 species of birds in Nepal. Being the home of 4% of mammals on earth and 11 out of the world’s 15 families of butterflies, more than 500 species of butterflies, 600 indigenous plant families, and 319 species of orchids, Nepal is considered a paradise for the lovers of flora and fauna. It is a great field for bird watchers, a wonderland for florists, and animal lovers, a great platform for all researchers and anthropologists.