The Kingdom of Nepal covers an area of 147,181
square kilometers, and stretches 145-241 kilometers north to south
and 850 kilometers west to east. The country is located between
India in the south and China in the north. At latitudes 26 and 30
degrees north and longitudes 80 and 88 degrees east, Nepal is
topographically divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the
north, the hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia
Hills, and the Terai to the south. Elevations are varied in the
kingdom. The highest point is Mt. Everest (8848 m) in the north and
the lowest point (70 meters above sea level) is located at Kechana
Kalan of Jhapa District. Altitude increases as you travel south to
north To the north temperatures are below - 40 degrees Celsius and
in the Terai, temperatures rise to 40 degrees Celsius in the summer.
During June, July and August, the kingdom is influenced by monsoon
clouds.
In Himalaya Regions
The Himalayan range makes up the
northern border of the country and represents 16% of the total land
area of Nepal. Peaks like Mt. Everest (8.848 m), Kanchenjunga (8.598
m), and Dhaulagiri (8137 m) are found here and sparse vegetation is
found up to 4.500 m. Some of Nepal's most beautiful animal and plant
life are also found here. Although rare, the snow leopard and danphe
bird are much talked about sights among visitors. The people in this
region produce and sell cheese besides working as porters and
guides. Many also trade with Tibet and travel across the border to
sell their goods.
In Hill Area Regions
This region covers 65% of the total
land area of the country. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is located
here. Elevations range from 500 to 3.000 m above sea level. During
summer the temperature reaches an average of 32 degrees Celsius.
Winters are cold, temperature reaching - 1 degree Celsius sometimes.
Areas in the eastern hills receive more rainfall because of the
monsoon clouds which come from the south-east. The rivers in the
west which do not receive much rainfall are dependent upon the
melted snow that flow down the Himalaya. Wild animals to be found
here are the spotted leopard, barking deer, and Himalayan black
bear. The hilly region is also popular for different kinds of birds.
Over four hundred species of birds are found here. The people in
this region have gained from the growth in the tourism industry. The
people here work as trekking guides and porters and also sell
garments and carpets to add to their income.
In Terai Regions:
The Terai covers 17% of the total land
area of Nepal. It provides excellent farming land and the average
elevation of flatlands is 100 to 300 m above sea-level. Sub-tropical
forest areas, marshes, and wildlife which include the Royal Bengal
tiger, one-horned rhino, and the garial crocodile are found here.
After the eradication of malaria in the 1960s, many people migrated
to the Terai in search of farming land. Today, about 48% of the
country's population occupies this region. Flat farmlands and the
region's flexible topography have given rise to many industries. The
main industrial towns are Biratnagar, Butwal, Bhairawa, Birgunj, and
Janakpur. Calcutta, a metropolitan city in India is the closest
sea-port. It lies 1,000 kilometers away from Birgunj.
The Weather in Nepal
Nepal’s weather is generally
predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons:
- Spring : March-May
- Summer : June-August
- Autumn : September-November
- Winter : December-February.
The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle
of September. About 80 per cent of the rain falls during that
period, so the remainder of the year is dry. Spring and autumn are
the most pleasant seasons; winter temperatures drop to freezing with
a high level of snowfall in the mountains. Summer and late spring
temperatures range from 28ºC (83ºF) in the hill regions to
more than 40ºC (104ºF) in the Terai. In winter, average
maximum and minimum temperatures in the Terai range from a brisk 7ºC
(45ºF) to a mild 23ºC (74ºF). The central valleys
experience a minimum temperature often falling bellow freezing point
and a chilly 12ºC (54ºF) maximum. Much colder temperatures
prevail at higher elevations. The Kathmandu Valley, at an altitude
of 1310m (4297ft), has a mild climate, ranging from 19-27ºC
(67-81ºF) in summer, and 2-20ºC (36-68ºF) in winter.
