Nepal officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia and, as of 2010, the world's most recent nation to become a republic. It is bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and the country's largest metropolitan city.

Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north has eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Sagarmatha, known in English as Mount Everest. The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized. It contains over 240 peaks more than 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level.

By some measures, Hinduism is practised by a larger majority of people in Nepal than in any other nation. Buddhism, though a minority faith in the country, is linked historically with Nepal as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. About half of the Nepalese population lies below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.

A monarchy throughout most of its history, Nepal was ruled by the Shah dynasty of kings from 1768, when Prithvi Narayan Shah unified its many small kingdoms. In 2006, however, a decade-long People's Revolution by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) along with several weeks of mass protests by all major political parties of Nepal culminated in a peace accord, and the ensuing elections for the constituent assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the abdication of the last Nepali monarch Gyanendra Shah and the establishment of a federal democratic republic in May 28, 2008. The first President of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav, was sworn in on 23 July 2008.

Facts About Nepal

1. Wikipedia

Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and the country's largest metropolis.
For more details: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal

2. Welcomenepal.com

• Religion: The two major religions practiced in Nepal are Hinduism and Buddhism with a majority of the people being Hindus. The two have co-existed through the ages and many Hindu idols are found within Buddhist shrines. Hindus visit Buddhist shrines and Buddhists visit Hindu temples without a second thought as many worship in both.
  For more details: www.welcomenepal.com/religion
• History: The recorded history of Nepal is centered on the Kathmandu valley and begins with the Kirantis who are said to have ruled for many centuries beginning from the 7th or 8th Century B.C. with their famous King Yalumber who is even mentioned in the epic, ‘Mahabharata’.
  For more details: www.welcomenepal.com/history
• Nature: Covering an area of 147,181 sq.km, Nepal shares a border with India in the west, south and east and with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China in the north. Kanchan Kalan in Jhapa district is the lowest point at 70m above sea level and the summit of Mt. Everest at 8,848 m is the highest.
  For more details: www.welcomenepal.com/nature
  
  

News from Nepal

1. News from Nepal as it happens- Nepalnews.com
2. Nepal's No.1 News Portal :: Breaking, National, World, Business, Sports & Entertainment News With Multimedia and Photogallery- ekantipur.com
3. News in Nepal: Fast, Full & Factual- Myrepublica.com

Tourist Information

Foreign Exchange:

Foreign currencies must be exchanged only at the bank or the authorised foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such transactions are to be obtained and retained. Such receipts will help you to change back the remaining Nepalese rupees back to your currency at TIA. Visitors can also exchange at the counter at TIA upon arrival.

Important Numbers

Embassies and Consulator

- Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Nepal

• www.embassy.goabroad.com
• www.kumarmahat.com.np
• www.visit-nepal.com

Mountaineering Royalty Fees -

1. Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS)

With the distinction of Nepal as a trekking destination and its growing charm, a provision of the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) has been implemented to ensure safety and security of the trekkers and to control illegal trekking operations.

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) was formed and registered with the Kathmandu CDO Office in 1979 by a handful of trekking agents who realized that it was time to assemble and create an umbrella organization.

More on: www.taan.org.np

3. Yentra

Government of Nepal has reduced mountaineering royalty fee in a bid to make it more competitive amongst the neighboring countries, promote mountains lying in remote and less privileged areas, and create environment to transform the seasonal mountaineering business operational round the year and materialize the concept of ‘Nepal for all Seasons’. The government has decided to Implement Incremental.

More on: www.yentra.com

4. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA)

Nepal Mountaineering Association  is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization working as a National Alpine Association of Nepal to promote mountain tourism, climbing sports, protect mountain environments and preserve and promote cultural heritage of mountain people.

Overland

There are seven main entry points into Nepal, one from Tibet and six from India. Accessibility overland is dependant on political conditions as well as the weather. For the latest information about overland access, please visit Nepal Immigration.

Post Travel Q&A for Nepal

Find expert answers on travel and tourism in Nepal- Yentra.com