Nepal is a small country located in South Asia, bordered by India to the south and east, and China to the north. The capital city is Kathmandu, and the official language is Nepali. Here are some key facts about Nepal:
Population: Nepal has a population of around 30 million people, with a diverse range of ethnic and linguistic groups.
Geography: Nepal is known for its stunning natural beauty and is home to many of the world’s highest mountains, including Mount Everest, the highest peak on earth. Nepal is also home to many national parks and wildlife reserves, including Chitwan National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Economy: Nepal is a developing country with an economy that is largely based on agriculture, tourism, and remittances from Nepalis working abroad. The country has a rich cultural heritage, and tourism is a major source of revenue for the country.
Religion: Nepal is a predominantly Hindu country, but there are also significant Buddhist and Muslim populations.
Politics: Nepal is a federal democratic republic with a multi-party system. The country has a president as its head of state and a prime minister as its head of government.
Culture: Nepal has a rich cultural heritage, with diverse ethnic groups each with their own traditions, customs, and languages. The country is known for its art, music, dance, and cuisine.
Language: Nepali is the official language of Nepal, but there are many other languages spoken throughout the country, including Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tamang, and Newari.
Overall, Nepal is a country with a rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and a welcoming and friendly population.
Key Facts-
With Kathmandu as its capital city, Nepal is further divided into three geographical regions; the Himalayan region in the north, Hilly region in the center ad Terai region in the south. The meager territory of Nepal accommodates 29.62 million people. The Himalayan region of Nepal boasts the sky soaring iconic Himalayan peaks inclusive of 8 highest peaks in the world such as Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna etc. whereas Hilly region bestows lush green forests and medieval valleys rich in cultural diversity. Moreover, the Terai region is called the granary of Nepal as it supplies food products to the entire nation.
Despite the fact that Nepal was announced as secular state in April, 2006, the most noteworthy number of citizens of Nepal follow Hinduism i.e. 81.3% along with Buddhist followers 9.0%, Muslim 4.4%, Kiratist 3.0%, Christian 1.4%, Sikhs 0.2%, Jains 0.1% and 0.6% devoted to other religion. About 44.6% of Nepal’s population speaks “Nepali” as an official language and mother tongue of Nepal. However, Nepal possesses more than 70 spoken languages including Newari (3.2%), Bhojpuri (6%), Maithili (11.7%), Tharu (5.8%), and Magar (3%) etc. about more than 46.49% of total population of Nepal can fluently communicate in the English language. Thus, this cultural and religious diversity makes Nepal a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multilingual nation.
Time Zone-
Nepal follows “Nepal Standard Time (NPT)” as the standard time zone for Nepal. NPT is one of just three time zones with a 45-minute balance from UTC.16 with a time counterbalance from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) of +5:45 all over Nepal. The official working hours of Nepal starts from 9 am in the morning till 5 pm in the evening. However, the working hours differ according to public holidays.
Entry points to Nepal-
Nepal being a landlocked country tucked between India and China, you can enter the territory of Nepal either by air or roadways. Nepal possesses only one international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport, which is located at Kathmandu. On the off chance, you are entering Nepal via roadways. You can enter Nepal via entry points either from China border or Indian border. From China, you can enter Nepal from Kodari Border, Kimathanka (Sankhuwasabha), Karola (Mustang), Olangchungola (Taplejung), Larke (Gorkha), Yari (Humla), Lamabagar (Dolakha) and Mugu. Whereas from India, you can enter Nepal via Kakarvitta, Birgung, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, and Mahendranagar.
Nepal Visa-
The visa fee for Nepal varies depending on the duration and type of visa you are applying for. Here is a breakdown of the visa fees for Nepal:
Tourist visa:
15 days: USD 30
30 days: USD 50
90 days: USD 125
Business visa:
15 days: USD 40
30 days: USD 70
90 days: USD 180
Student visa:
1 year: USD 125
5 years: USD 500
The visa fee can be paid in cash or by credit card at the immigration office upon arrival in Nepal or at a Nepali embassy or consulate abroad.
As for entrance into Nepal, all foreign nationals, except Indians, require a visa to enter Nepal. Visa-on-arrival is available at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at some border crossings. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Nepali government has suspended visa-on-arrival until further notice. Therefore, travelers must obtain a visa from a Nepali embassy or consulate abroad before arriving in Nepal.
In addition to the visa, visitors to Nepal are also required to have a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, and enough funds to cover their stay in the country. It is also recommended that travelers have travel insurance to cover any unexpected expenses or medical emergencies.
Local Currency and Foreign Exchange-
The official currency of Nepal is a “Nepali rupee” which comes in the section of NRs. 1, NRs. 2, NRs. 5, NRs. 10, NRs. 20, NRs. 50, NRs. 100, NRs. 500 and NRs. 1000 alongside coins of NRs. 1, NRs. 2 and NRs. 5. If you happen to exchange your foreign currency then you can look up to major banks of Nepal as they provide foreign currency exchange services. Or you can also exchange your currency with authorized money exchangers in Kathmandu, particularly; Thamel area is convenient to place to exchange your foreign currency at higher exchange rates than that of the bank. The advantage of having these money exchangers to banks is that they open for broadened periods, consistently from 9 am to 7 pm.
Weather and Climate-
The atmosphere of Nepal is influenced by maritime and mainland factors and possesses four specific seasons; spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Spring lasts from March to May with appropriate atmospheric temperature whereas summer begins from June and lasts till August when the temperature can heat up to 30°C or eventually even more. Likewise, autumn lasts from September till November and the winters in Nepal are extremely cold with drop down in temperature to 25°C.
Festivals-
Nepal is also well renowned for the wide range of festive celebrations. Nepalese calendars are often filled with festive holidays. The wide range of festive occasions celebrated in Nepal holds their distinctive importance. However, some of the important festivals celebrated in Nepal are Dashain, Tihar, Fagu Purnima, Teej, Shivaratri, Lhosar and Dumji etc. Despite the fact that the majority of them are of religious nature, they are quite often of blissful. In Nepal, there are no any religious barriers to the celebration of these joyful festivals.
Moreover, Nepal is a land of diversified natural beauty and cultural allurement. The profound valleys, soaring Himalayas and plain terrains are able to captivate your heart and make your journey extremely memorable with a touch of warm hospitality by the people of Nepal.
