About Nepal Information (General Nepal Information)

Nepal is natural beauty, Himalayan country located between India and china. It is known as a country of Himalaya,800 km long , 200km wide and 150m above from sea level. Nepal has Ten World Heritage Sites. Some of the highest mountains in the world including Mount Everest lives in Nepal. It has many kinds of natural environments an incredible range attracting nature lovers. Nepal is a paradise with different type of birds like pheasants, storks, cuckoos and pretty of birds. For those who love larger animals they can see elephant, royal Bengal tigers, bears, monkey, one horned rhino and many more animal. Kathmandu is the capital and large city of Nepal.

Nepal information is one of the Nepal's oldest Information Portal. Our prime focus is to provide Information on Nepal to the people who believe that "Information is the Power".

It also helps tourists, research scholars, politicians, students, mountaineers, trekkers to get the correct information on Nepal.

Have a detailed look of this site and know about exciting world of Rivers, Mountains, and the roof of the world - Mount Everest.

With India on its South and China in the North; Nepal is a developing country with rich in culture.

History

Before the unification of Nepal, it was divided in many small kingdom but In 1768 Prithvi Narayan shah, the ruler of the Gorkha kingdom unified diverse kingdoms and established the one greater Nepal and present the the border of Nepal. He defeated the Newar kings of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, patan and established the capital in Kathmandu. British East India company declared war on Nepal in 1814 B C. and attacked with a force of 50,000 men against Nepal's 12,000,expecting an easy victory but in the event it took two year and heavy losses in both side. After long war with Nepal British East India company took large area of Nepal. which now comprises the northern areas of the India state Himanchal, west Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. But later Britain return some part of tarai lands for its help in quelling the Indian mutiny of 1857.

Climate
It's hard to generalize about the climate of Nepal ranging in elevation from near sea level to the 8848m peak of mount Everest. Nepal has mainly four seasons which are below.Autumn ( September to November) in this seasons weather is clear , dry not cold and not hot too. in tarai. winter (December to February) in winter season weather is very cold, sky clean and clear, some time snowfalls at higher elevations. days are warm if sunny day but morning and night is very cold. Winter brings cold, foggy in mornings and clear evenings Spring (March to May) spring bring warmer weather and longer days Rhododendrons bloom in the hills. this is the best time to view wildlife and to travel in Nepal. Summer (June to August) these three month are monsoon and hot season in Nepal. it rain must of time.

Nepal Visa and Fee
All foreign national except Indians need visa to enter Nepal. Free visa for SAARC countries tourist. and Tourist visa issued on arrival at kathmandu airport and at official overland Nepal entry point. you have to have a passport size photo. at the airport you are require to pay in US$ or Nepalese rupees and u can change money at the counter next to the visa desk. At overland entry points official accept US dollars only. Nepal visa fee is as below.

Fee	Day
US$ 25 or equivalent Nepali Rupees	Multiple entry 15 days
US$ 40 or equivalent Nepali Rupees	Multiple entry 30 days
US$ 100 or equivalent Nepali Rupees	Multiple entry 90 days

Nepal Visa extension fee for less then 15 days is US$ 30 or equivalent Nepali Rupees but more then 15 days extension fee is US$ 2 per day. Nepal Tourist visa can be extended only for 150 days a year. Nepal Transit visa can be issued from Nepal's immigration office at the Nepal entry point. Need to pay US$ 5.

ATM service all major city of Nepal. In kathmandu and pokhara people can get ATM in every 5 to 10 minutes different place.

People and History

Population
Nepal is inhabited by 27million people, 700.000 who live in Kathmandu. It's unique cultural mix is made up of various ethnic groups, including the Bhotiya (which include the Sherpa), Khas, Kirati, Magar, Newari, Tharu, Tamong and Tibetans. All in all, there are about 40 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages.

Language
Nepal's official language is Nepali (Gurkhali) which has similarities with Hindu. There are also numerous regional variations/languages based on the different ethnic groups in Nepal.

Religion
Nepal's main religion is Hinduism, mixed with a good quantity of Buddhism.

Economy and Government
Nepal is a democratic country, but has the presence of a King. It has a bicameral legislature. The lower house, the House of Representatives, consists of 205 members. Members to the lower house are elected every five years. The upper house, the National Assembly, is made up of 60 members who have a six-year tenure in office. One-third of the members retire every two years. Fifteen members are elected by the local government, 35 members by proportional representation, and 10 members are nominated by the King.

History
For centuries the Kingdom of Nepal was divided into many principalities. Kirats ruled in the east, the Newars in the Kathmandu Valley, while Gurungs and Magars occupied the mid-west. The Kirats ruled from 300 BC and during their reign, emperor Ashoka arrived from India to build a pillar at Lumbini in memory of Lord Buddha. The Kirats were followed by the Lichhavis whose descendants today are believed to be the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley. During this period, art thrived in Nepal and many of the beautiful woodcarvings and sculptures that are found in the country belong to this era. With the end of the Lichhavi dynasty, Malla kings came to power in 1200 AD and they also con tributed tremendously to Nepal's art and culture. However, after almost 600 years of rule, the kings were not united among themselves and during the late 11th century, Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Gorkha, conquered Kathman du and united Nepal into one kingdom. Recognizing the threat of the British Raj in India, he dismissed European missionaries from the country and for more than a century, Nepal remained in isolation. During the mid-I 9th century Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal's first prime minister to wield absolute power. He set up an oligarchy and the Shah Kings remained figure-heads. The Ranas were overthrown in a democracy movement of the early 1950s. Today, Nepal enjoys a multi party democratic system with a constitutional Monarch.

People

In Nepal, ethnical cultural groups are diverse and many of them have their own languages and customs. However, they can be geographically categorized according to their habitats. Even though, there is much migration going on in the country now and the cultural definition of the people by area is difficult. Urban population is increasing by 7% each year and most cultures have intermingled.

Sherpas
The Sherpas who are of Tibeto-Burman stock mainly occupy the higher hills of eastern and central Nepal. The SoIu Khumbu region, where the world's tallest peak Mt. Everest stands, is inhabited by Sherpas. Generally they are Buddhist but some follow the Bon, the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet, and other religions. The Sherpas are famed for their valor and mountaineering skills and are professionally involved in many mountain expeditions today. Sherpas have joined other occupations as well, like business, administration and politics.

Kirats and Rais
A wide variety of ethnic groups occupy the mid-hills. The Kirats or Limbus and Rais inhabit the east. During the 7th century BC, they established a dynasty in the Kathmandu Valley and ruled it for 1.000 years. They are not originally Hindus or Buddhists but are ancestor worshipers. However, today, many embrace Hinduism. In the former days, they were warriors and skilled hunters. The Kirats speak Tibeto-Burman languages. Many serve in the British Army today and have earned a reputation as the brave Gurkhas.

Newars
The population of the Kathmandu Valley consists mostly of Newars. They speak Nepalbbasa and practice Hinduism and Buddhism. Many families celebrate both Hindu and Buddhist festivals. Their culture also reflects tantrism and animism. Newars are accomplished in commerce and most enterprises in the heart of the Valley are run by them. Historically, they are well known for establishing the three artistically beautiful cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu.

Tamangs
The inhabitants of the hill flanks surrounding Kathmandu Valley are mostly Tamangs, who make up one of the largest Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups in the Kingdom. In the Tibetan language, Tamang means "horse soldier" which gives us an idea about their past occupation. Today, they farm and work as semi-skilled and unskilled laborers. Tamangs practice Tibetan Lamaism or the Bon religion and speak their own language.

Magars
The Magars live in the western and central hills of Nepal. They had their own kingdoms until the 18th century and were closely associated with the Hindu Indo-Aryans in the west. Much of their cultural practices have been influenced by Chhetris, and today it is difficult to make any difference in the housing, dressing and farming practices of the two. The Magars have been sought after by the British and Indian armies and a great number serve in the Gurkha regiments.

Gurungs
Another ethnic group closely resembling the Magars in many aspects are the Gurungs. They also live in the western and central hills of the country although further to the east. Of Tibeto-Burman stock, the Gurungs have their own distinct language and practice shamanism. Many find employment in the British and Indian armies.

Khas
The Khas are the Bahuns and Chhetris who formed their own kingdoms in the far-west. They are Hindus, and Nepali, which is the country's official language, was originally spoken by the Khas. Traditionally, the Bahuns were priests and are better educated than most ethnic groups. In fact, many occupy important government and educational posts in the kingdom today. The Chhetris have traditionally been known as warriors. Those living in the higher hills in the far western region lead hard lives because of lack of rain and farming is practiced in the river valleys and on the hill flanks.

Tharus, Majhi, Danuwar, Rajbansi, Darai, Satar, and Dhimal
The Tharus are one of the original ethnic groups to inhabit the Terai. The Majhi, Danuwar, Rajbansi, Darai, Satar, and Dhimal also occupy the flat lands. The Tharus have their own unique religion and practice animism. Their culture is especially suited for the hot plains and they are actually immune to malaria. They have Mongoloid features and speak their own language.

MAJOR FESTIVALS OF NEPAL:

• New Year's Day - April 14, (First day of Baisakh)
• Matatirtha Aunsi or Mother's Day - (April)
• Buddha Jayanti - (April)
• Machchendranath Rath Jatra - (May-June)
• Guru Purnima - (August)
• Gaijatra (August)
• Krishnashtami - (August-September)
• Gokarna Aunsi or Father's Day - (August-September)
• Indra Jatra - (September)
• Bada- Dashain - (September-October)
• Tihar - (October-November)
• Constitution Day - (November 9)
• Bala Chaturdarshi - (November-December)
• Birthday of His Majesty the King (December 28)
• Birth-anniversary of His Late Majesty King Prithvi Narayan Shah, The Great -(January 10)
• Basanta Panchami - (January- February)
• National Democracy Day - (February 18)
• Maha Shivratri - (March- April)
• Ghode Jatra -(March-April)

LOCATION OF NEPAL INFORMATION
It borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China in the North and India in the East, South and West respectively.

AREA: 147,181 sq. kilometers.

NEPAL ALTITUDE INFORMATION : Varies from 70 meters to 8848 meters.

CAPITAL OF NEPAL: Kathmandu.

NEPAL TIME INFORMATION :Nepal Time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian standard time.

NEPAL CLIMATE INFORMATION
Nepal has four major seasons, namely, (1) Winter: December-February, (2) Spring: March-May, (3) Summer: June-August, (4) Autumn: September- November.

Nepal can be visited the whole year round.

Our Nepal Information page goes beyond what's needed to travel in Nepal. If you are planning to travel here, you may learn much of this information on your visit. If not, we hope to give you a little tour of what it's like to experience this diverse Himalayan Kingdom.

ENTRY POINTS:

By Air: Tribhuvan Internaitonal Airport, Kathmandu.

By Land: (1) Kakarbhitta (2) Birgunj (3) Belhiya (Bhairahawa) (4) Nepalgunj (5) Dhangadi (6) Jogbani (Biratnagar) and (7) Mahendra Nagar in Nepal-lndia border and Kodari in Nepal-China border. The overland tourists entering the Kingdom with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.

TRAVEL ROUTE
Royal Nepal Airlines the national flag carrier of Nepal and other International airlines operate scheduled flights to Kathmandu from Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Dubai, Dhaka, Paro, Varanasi, Frankfurt, Paris, Hongkong, Karachi, London, Moscow, Singapore and Lhasa.The International Airlines operating their flights to Kathmandu include Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South West Airlines, Druk Air, Indian Airlines, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai International.

INTERNAL TRANSPORT
Royal Nepal Arilines has an extensive network of air services in the interior of Nepal. This include Taplejung, Bhadrapur, Rajbiraj, Bhojpur, Phapl, Lukla, Lamidanda Tumlingtar, Rumjatar, and Biratnagar in the East; Nepalgunj, Chaurjhari, Surkhet, Dang, Rolpa and Jumla, in the Mid-West, and kolti, Mahendranagar, Dhangadi, Silgadi (Doti), Tikapur, Sanphebagar, Baitadi, and Darchula in the Far Western Region. Besides Royal Nepal Airlines, the other domestic airlines such as Nepal Airways, Everest Air, Asian Airlines Helicopter, Necon Air provide regular and charter services to different popular domestic destinations

Nepal Airport Departure Tax:-RS 1695 Per Person is departure Tax for other then SAARC Nation and RS 1195 for SARC Nation (Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Afghanistan) and RS 165 for Nepal domestic flight. passenger must be at Air port 3 hours before for international flight and one hour before for domestic flight.