Geography

Area – 140,800km²

Nepal goes from almost sea level to the highest point on Earth. It has all sorts of animals and plants which live at different heights. There are 6500 known different types (species) of tree, shrubs and wild flowers.

The Himalaya dominate the geography in Nepal. They were formed when the Indian tectonic plate collided with Asia ~65 million years ago. The Inidan plate is still moving north into Asia but very slowly, 61 mm per year.

Weather

There is a lot of difference between the weather in the north and south of Nepal because they are at such different heights. The north is higher and colder.

Southern Nepal

Summer
Winter

Northern Nepal

Summer
Winter

The temperature and rainfall graphs below are for Kathmandu which is 1,337m above sea level.

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People

Population

People (Ethnic Groups)

Religion

Nepal is the only official Hindu state in the world.

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Local Traditions

Nepalese people say hello by putting the palms of their hands together, like they are praying. They do not shake hands.

It is rude to eat or shake someones hand with your left hand. People only use their left hand for dirty things like taking off dirty shoes or wiping their bottom.

Nepalese people often barter over the price of things to try and pay less. It isn't rude, this is just the way of things. You can make life in Nepal easier by using “bakshish”, bribes!

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Language

Most people in Nepal speak Nepali. There are lots of other languages that people in different villages speak, e.g. Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Magar and Awadhi. Nepali has some phrases that are similar to Inidan.

Namaste = Hello

Dhanybhad = Thank you

Businessmen and people in the government often speak English.

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Food

Dahl baht (lentil soup on rice) is a common meal in Nepal. People also eat a lot of vegetables (Tarkari).

People only eat with their right hand. They drink water from a sharing (communal) bottle, you must not touch it with your lips.

There are a lot of people in Nepal who do not have enough to eat and lots of children have to beg for food.

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Politics

King – GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah

The Nepalese royal family went through a very sad time in June 2001. The king at that time was King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah. It is believed that the King's son, Price DIPENDRA, arranged to kill his family. Prince DIPENDRA was also shot and died three days after he was crowned king. DIPENDRA's uncle, GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah, was then made king.

Prime Minister – Sher Bahadur DEUBA

Nepalese people vote for their government.

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