Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, situated between China to the north and India to the south, east and west. Covering about 147,000 square kilometres, it stretches from the low, subtropical plains of the Terai to some of the highest mountains on Earth. The central region contains hills and valleys, while the north is dominated by the Himalayas. Mount Everest, known in Nepal as Sagarmatha, reaches 8,848.86 metres above sea level and lies on the border between Nepal and China.

Nepal has a varied climate because of its differences in altitude, ranging from hot and humid conditions in the lowlands to cold alpine environments in the high mountains. The capital, Kathmandu, lies in a valley surrounded by hills and is the country's main political, economic and cultural centre. Nepal has a rich cultural heritage shaped by Hindu and Buddhist traditions, as well as by many ethnic and linguistic communities.

The Kathmandu Valley contains historic cities, temples and monuments, several of which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lumbini, in southern Nepal, is traditionally recognized as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, and is also protected as a World Heritage site. For centuries, communities in the mountains and valleys have developed farming, trade and livestock practices adapted to difficult terrain.

Nepal was a monarchy for much of its modern history and became a federal democratic republic in 2008. Its constitution, adopted in 2015, established a federal democratic republican system. Today, agriculture remains important, while tourism, services, foreign employment and hydropower contribute significantly to the economy. Nepali is the official language, and the Nepalese rupee is the national currency.