Nepal Sikkim Bhutan Sri Lanka Maldives Bangladesh

Author: Zhou Min
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The Kingdom of Nepal is located on the southern slope of the Himalayas and is an inland country. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north, Sikkim to the east, and India to the southeast, southwest, and south. The area is 147,181 square kilometers. Nepal has a long history, with its first dynasty established in the 6th century BC. In 1814, Britain invaded. In 1923, the Anglo-Nepal Treaty was signed, with Britain recognizing Nepal's independence. In 1950, a constitutional monarchy was established. On August 1, 1955, Nepal established diplomatic relations with China. China and Nepal signed the Peace and Friendship Treaty in April 1960 and the Sino-Nepal Boundary Treaty in October 1961. The population is 21.09 million. There are more than 30 ethnic groups, including the Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Newar, etc. The population is relatively dense in the valley areas. 90% of the residents follow Hinduism. Nepali is the national language, and English is widely spoken.
Natural Geography: Nepal is an inland mountainous country with an area of 147,181 square kilometers. It is located on the southern foothills of the middle Himalayas, bordering China to the north and India to the west, south, and east. The total length of the national border is 2,400 kilometers. The territory of Nepal is covered with mountains, with many peaks, including Mount Everest (known as Sagarmatha in Nepali), located on the China-Nepal border. The country is divided into three climatic zones: northern highlands, central temperate zone, and southern subtropical zone. The lowest temperature in the northern cold season is -41°C, and the highest temperature in the southern summer is 45°C. The terrain is high in the north and low in the south, with an extremely large relative elevation difference, which is rare in the world. Most of the country is hilly, with land above 1,000 meters accounting for half of the total area. Surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and north, Nepal has been known since ancient times as the "Mountain Kingdom." There are many fast-flowing rivers, most of which originate in Tibet, China, and flow south into the Ganges River in India. The southern region is a fertile alluvial plain with dense forests and vast grasslands, which is an important economic zone in Nepal. The central valley area has many small hills, and the capital, Kathmandu, is located in the Kathmandu Valley. The majestic Himalayas block the dry, cold northern winds, making the climate pleasant and the scenery beautiful. The northern mountainous region has high mountains and deep valleys, with clouds and mist, and snow-covered highlands all year round, only allowing for summer grazing. Due to the complex terrain, the climate varies across the country. The country is divided into three climatic zones: northern highlands, central temperate zone, and southern subtropical zone. The lowest temperature in the northern cold season is -41°C, and the highest temperature in the southern summer is 45°C. At the same time across the country, when the southern plains are scorching hot, the capital, Kathmandu, and the Patlekot Valley are in full bloom with spring-like scenery, while the northern mountainous region is in a snowy winter.
Economic Overview: Nepal is an agricultural country with underdeveloped economy. More than 90% of the population is engaged in agriculture. The main staple crops are rice, corn, wheat, millet, and potatoes, while the main cash crops include sugarcane, jute, rapeseed, tobacco, and tea. The country has a surplus of grain. Animal husbandry is also important. The industrial base is weak and small-scale, primarily focused on agricultural processing and handicrafts. Exports are mainly agricultural and livestock products, with grains and livestock accounting for more than half. Imports include textiles, machinery and equipment, cement, steel, petroleum products, salt, paper, and medicines. The country has approximately 52 kilometers of narrow-gauge railways and 7,400 kilometers of highways.
Major Cities: Kathmandu: The capital, located in the Kathmandu Valley, with a population of 420,000. It is a hub for agricultural and livestock products and is famous for carpet weaving, leather processing, and textile industries. Patan (Lalitpur): An ancient capital and the second-largest city, with a hydropower plant on the Sunkoshi River to the east. Bhaktapur: An ancient city and the starting point of the Kathmandu-Kodari highway. Biratnagar, Birgunj, and Hetauda are emerging industrial centers.