Nepal Geography
What is the terrain and geography like in Nepal?
Overview
Nepal’s geography is perhaps the most varied and dramatic of any nation in the world. From the lowlands of the south (about 150 feet above sea level), the terrain rises in a mere 100 miles to the dramatic heights of the world's highest mountain range, the Himalayas, including Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) at 29,028 feet, 10 other mountains above 24,000 feet, and more than 200 peaks over 21,000 feet.Geographically, the country is divided into three roughly parallel strips, running east and west. The Terai Region, the southernmost strip about 15 miles wide, covers about 20% of the total land area. An extension of the Gangetic Plain of north India, once noted for its heavy jungle and still popular for big game—including tiger, rhinoceros, elephant, wild boar, crocodile, and river dolphin. The flat open country of the Terai Region blends into forested hills. Bird watching is a popular pastime in this area. The central region, sometimes called the "hill area," is about 60 miles wide. It ranges from about 3,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level, covering about 60% of the land area, and includes the Valley of Kathmandu with its encircling hills up to 9,000 feet. The northern region consists of the high mountain area, 12,000 to 29,000 feet, forming the majestic panorama of the perpetually snow-covered Himalayan Range. The region is about 25 miles wide and accounts for the remaining 20% of the total land area.
Geography - note
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively
Climate
Kathmandu’s climate is pleasant. During the fall to winter season (October-March), temperatures range from 30°F to 75°F. This season is characterized by morning fog, sunny days, and cold nights. It may rain occasionally, but Kathmandu has had no snow since 1939.A temperature range from 40°F to 90°F, with intermittent rain, warm days, and usually comfortable nights, marks the spring season (March-May). Near the end of the spring season and before the rainy season begins, dust gathers heavily throughout the Kathmandu Valley, causing a haze that obscures the mountains.
The monsoon season begins in June and continues until late September. Temperatures in the rainy season range from 55°F to 90°F, and rainfall is from 30 to 60 inches. Rain showers occur almost daily.
Nepal Use of Natural Resources
Nepal Environment
Climate:
Kathmandu’s climate is pleasant. During the fall to winter season (October-March), temperatures range from 30°F to 75°F. This season is characterized by morning fog, sunny days, and cold nights. It may rain occasionally, but Kathmandu has had no snow since 1939.A temperature range from 40°F to 90°F, with intermittent rain, warm days, and usually comfortable nights, marks the spring season (March-May). Near the end of the spring season and before the rainy season begins, dust gathers heavily throughout the Kathmandu Valley, causing a haze that obscures the mountains.
The monsoon season begins in June and continues until late September. Temperatures in the rainy season range from 55°F to 90°F, and rainfall is from 30 to 60 inches. Rain showers occur almost daily.
Terrain:
Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north
Natural Resources:
quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Natural Hazards:
severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
Irrigated Land:
4,510 Square Miles11,680 Square Kilometers
Environmental Issues:
deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions
Environment - International Agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life ConservationNepal Geography
| Geographic Location | Asia |
| Total Area |
56,827 Square Miles 147,181 Square Kilometers |
| Land Area |
55,348 Square Miles 143,351 Square Kilometers |
| Water Area |
1,479 Square Miles 3,830 Square Kilometers |
| Land Boundaries |
1,818 Miles 2,926 Kilometers |
| Irrigated Land |
4,510 Square Miles 11,680 Square Kilometers |
| Border Countries | China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km |
| Geographic Coordinates | 28 00 N, 84 00 E |
| Terrain | Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north |
| Highest Point | 8,850 Meters |
| Highest Point Location | Mount Everest 8,850 m |
| Lowest Point | 70 Meters |
| Lowest Point Location | Kanchan Kalan 70 m |
| Natural Resources | quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore |
| Time Zone | UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) |