Aspect |
Details |
Location |
Landlocked country in South Asia, bordered by China (north) and India (south, east, west) |
Area |
Approximately 147,516 square kilometers (56,956 square miles) |
Geographical Regions |
- Terai (southern lowlands and plains)
- Hill region (mid-hills with valleys and ridges)
- Mountain region (Himalayan ranges including the highest peaks)
|
Topography |
Diverse, ranging from tropical plains to alpine mountains with deep river valleys |
Highest Point |
Mount Everest (Sagarmatha), 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level |
Major Rivers |
Gandak, Koshi, Karnali (Ghaghara), and other tributaries of the Ganges River system |
Climate Zones |
- Subtropical in Terai
- Temperate in Hills
- Alpine and tundra in Himalayas
|
Natural Vegetation |
Ranges from tropical forests in Terai to coniferous and alpine vegetation in mountains |
Seismic Activity |
Located in a seismically active zone due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates |
Geographical Importance |
Home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks; rich biodiversity and cultural diversity shaped by geography |
Major Cities by Region |
- Terai: Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, Birgunj
- Hill: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lalitpur
- Mountain: Jomsom, Namche Bazaar
|
Natural Hazards |
Landslides, floods, earthquakes, especially in hilly and mountainous areas |
Geographical Challenges |
Rugged terrain limits transportation and infrastructure development in many areas |