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WELCOME
TO NEPAL!
Nepal - a country of amazing extremes, is the home of
the world's highest mountains, historic cities and the
forested plains where the lordly tigers and the great
one-horned rhinoceros trundle at ease. In fact enchantment
is everywhere-for anyone in search of Shangrila!
 Nepal,
home to Mount Everest, is dominated by the world's most
imposing mountains. Although the country is relatively
small (147,181 square kilometers), 80 percent of its
territory is occupied by the dramatic peaks of the Himalayas.
Nepal was closed to foreign visitors until 1951, a situation
which contributed greatly to its mystique in the west.
This small, hospitable country has since become an exceptionally
popular destination for travelers, whether they are
in search of climbing challenges or spiritual enlightenment.
Nepal can be divided into three geographical regions,
each stretching from east to west across the country.
The southernmost strip of land, the Terai, is bordered
to the north by Himalayan foothills and to the south
by the Ganges River. The area was originally covered
with tropical vegetation, but has been almost completely
converted to agricultural production. The Terai is now
the breadbasket of Nepal and is covered with farms.
The
central section of Nepal is formed by the Mahabharat
Chain, a range of mountains that reach modest altitudes
of 2,000-3,000 meters. Farming has become an important
activity in the area; terraced farms produce rice, corn
and wheat. The Kathmandu Valley, a stretch of green
in the middle of the Mahabharat, is home to Nepal's
capital and other historic cities.
The
Himalayas stretch across the northern section of Nepal.
Eight
of the ten highest peaks in the world are located here,
and most are covered with permanent snowfields. The
area is sparsely populated, with little vegetation above
the tree-line (4,200 meters).
The
climate varies considerably with elevation. May to October
is monsoon season, when rain soaks the Terai and snow
falls on the Himalayan peaks. Mid-October to mid-December
is prime mountaineering weather: the skies are clear
and sunny, temperatures range from warm in the lowlands
to crisp in the mountains. March and April are also
good months for mountain treks, although temperatures
in Kathmandu and the Terai tend to be steamy.
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