Nepal General Information

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. Nepal has a rich geography. The mountainous north has eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest, called Sagarmatha in Nepali. It contains more than 300 peaks over 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level.

About Nepal
Nepal history- Nepal has seen many rulers and ruling dynasties. The earliest rulers were the Kirantis who ruled from 9th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. The Kirants were replaced by Licchavis who, according to the earliest evidences in inscriptions of the 5th century A.D. found in the courtyard of Changunarayan temple which is about 15 km north east of Kathmandu, ruled this country from 1st century to 9th century A.D. The Licchavis were followed by the Thakuris, and then came the Malla dynasty. The Mallas ruled focusing mainly on the Kathmandu Valley which has been the residence for most Nepali rulers from time immemorial. No other part of Nepal is as rich in cultural heritage as Kathmandu. In the 14th century A.D. King Jayasthiti Malla established a rigid social order. His grandson tried in every way to protect his country from suspected enemy states. Unfortunately, all his efforts were fruitless, everything went beyond his control and the country eventually divided up into 50 small feudal states including the three major ones in the valley. Then came the Shah dynasty. King Prithvi Narayan Shah who annexed small principalities including three states in the Kathmandu Valley and unified Nepal in a single kingdom.

Nature
Nepal covers a span of 147,181 sq. kilometers ranging from altitude of 70 meters to 8,848 meters. Mountains, mid hills, valleys and plains dominate the geography of landlocked Nepal that extends from the Himalayan range in the north to the Indo-Gangetic lowlands in south. Mt. Everest, the highest point of the Himalayas is in Nepal.

Physical features also include green paddy terraces, wind-swept deserts, dense forests and marshy grasslands. The country is well endowed with perennial rivers, lakes and glaciar lakes that originate in the Himalayas. Twenty percent of the land in the country is used for agriculture, where 0.49 percent is used for permanent crops, mainly rice.

Climatic conditions of Nepal vary from one place to another in accordance with the geographical features. In the north summers are cool and winters severe, while in south summers are sub tropical and winters mild. The variety in Nepal's topography provides home to wildlife like tigers, rhinos, monkeys, bears, yaks, leopards and different species of insects and birds. Nepal is a home to almost 10 percent of the world's bird species among which 500 species are found in the Kathmandu Valley. The country has managed to preserve some endangered species of Asia in its extensive parks and protected natural habitats. The most abundant natural resource in Nepal is water. Other resources found here are quartz, timber, lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore and scenic beauty.

People and Culture
The population of Nepal was recorded to be about 25 million. Ninety percent of Nepalis follow Hinduism; while five percent follow Buddhism and three percent follow Islam. The population comprises various groups of different races which are further divided into different castes. The distinction in caste and ethnicity is understood more easily with a view of customary layout of the population. Some of the main groups are such: Gurungs and Magars who live mainly in the western region; Rai, Limbus and Sunwars who live in the eastern mid hills; Sherpas, Manangis and Lopas who live near the mountains of Everest, Annapurna and Mustang respectively; Newars who live in and around the capital valley of Kathmandu; Tharus, Yadav, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals who live in the Terai region; and Brahmins, Chhetris and Thakuris generally spread over all parts of the country. Nepali is the official language of the state, spoken and understood by 100 percent of the population. Multiple ethnic groups speak more than a dozen other languages in about 92 different dialects. English is spoken by many in government and business offices. It is the mode of education in most private schools of Kathmandu and some other cities

Religion
In Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism are the two main religions. The two have co-existed down the ages and many Hindu temples share the same complex as, Buddhist shrines. Hindu and Buddhist worshippers may regard the same god with different names while performing religious rites. Nepal has been declared as a secular country by the Parliament on May 18, 2006. Religions like Hinduism Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Bon are practiced here. Some of the earliest inhabitants like the Kirants practice their own kind of religion based on ancestor worship and the Tharus practice animism. Over the years, Hinduism and Buddhism have been influenced by these practices which have been modified to form a synthesis of newer beliefs. For centuries the Nepal remained divided into many principalities. Kirants ruled in the east, the Newars in the Kathmandu Valley, while Gurungs and Magars occupied the mid-west.

The Kirants ruled from 300 BC and during their reign, emperor Ashoka arrived from India to build a pillar at Lumbini in memory of Lord Buddha. The Kirants were followed by the Lichchhavis whose descendants today are believed to be the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley. During this period, art thrived in Nepal and many of the beautiful woodcarvings and sculptures that are found in the country belong to this era. With the end of the Lichchhavi dynasty, Malla kings came to power in 1200 AD and they also contributed tremendously to Nepal's art and culture. However, after almost 600 years of rule, the kings were not united among themselves and during the late 18th century, Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Gorkha, conquered Kathmandu and united Nepal into one kingdom. Recognizing the threat of the British Raj in India, he dismissed European missionaries from the country and for more than a century, Nepal remained in isolation. During the mid-19th century Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal's first prime minister to wield absolute power. He set up an oligarchy and the Shah Kings remained figureheads. The Ranas were overthrown in a democracy movement of the early 1950s. The religious festivals are the biggest and most popular festivals are: Dashain, a celebration of Goddess Bhagabati's victory over evil Mahisashur; and Tihar, a celebration of lights dedicated to Goddess Laxmi.

Nepal at a Glance
Area: - 147,181 sq km
Geography: - Situated between China in the North and south, east, and west by the Republic of India.
Capital: - Kathmandu
Language: - Nepali
Political System: - Multiparty Democracy.
Population: - 27 million
People: - Nepal has more than 102 ethnic groups and 92 spoken languages
Currency: - Nepali Rupee (Approximately US $ 1 equals Rs 74 as of January 2006)

Geography
Nepal is independent country is bounded in the north by the Tibetan autonomous Tibet and in the east, south and west by India. The length of Nepal is 885 km east – west and its breadth varies from 145-241 km north-south. The country can be divided into 3 main geographical regions.

Himalayan Region: - Snow cap region. It is lies 15 percent of the total land area. The altitude of this region ranges between 4877m to 8848 m. It includes 8 of the 14 highest peaks in the world.

Hill Region:-This region lays 68 percent of the total land area. It is formed by the Mahabharata range that soars up to 4877m and the lower Churia range.

Tarai Region: - The low land Tarai lays 17 percent of the total land area of the country.

Entry Procedures & Visa Rules

I. Tourist Visa
Visa Facility      Duration     Fee
Multiple entry    15 days     US$ 25
Multiple entry    30 days     US$ 40  
Multiple entry     90 days    US$ 100
ii.    Gratis (Free) Visa  
• Gratis visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of SAARC countries. However, for extension of visa for SAARC nationals, the rule is same as that of other nationals.

• Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.

For Visa Extension:
Tourists can stay for a maximum of 150 days in a visa year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) extending the visa at the rate of 2 US $ per day. However, a minimum amount of 30 US$ has to be paid for a period of 15 days or less.

Access to Nepal
By Air: - Nepal Airlines is the National Flag carrier of Nepal with flights to from verities countries. Other international airlines operating from to verities countries. Please contact the respective airlines for detail information about flights.
By Land:- All visitors entering Nepal by land must use no other entry points other than 1) Kakadvitta 2) Birgunj 3) Belhiya,Bhairahawa 4) Nepalgunj 5)Dhangadi 6) Mahendranagar and 7) Kodari in Nepal- China border. The overland tourists entering Nepal with their vehicles must possess an international carnet or complete custom formalities.

Foreign Exchange: - Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such transaction are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange money at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival also. Indian currency Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes are not accepted for transaction of any kind.

Custom Formalities: - All baggage must be declared and cleared through the custom on arrival at the entry. A tourist may bring in dutiable goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within the prescribed quantity free of duty. Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunition are strictly prohibited. Visitors can export souvenirs to their respective countries. The export of antiques requires special certificates from the Department of Archaeology, National Archive building Kathmandu.

Custom Formalities

Customs:
All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the entry point. Personal effects are permitted free entry. Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance without a baggage check. If you are carrying dutiable articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel for detailed customs clearance.

Import:
Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free of duty: cigarettes (200 sticks) or cigars (50 sticks), distilled liquor (one 1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls). You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on condition that you take them out with you when you leave: binoculars, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.

Export:
The export of antiques requires special certification from the Department of Archeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu. It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old, such as sacred images, paintings, manuscripts that are valued for culture and religious reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal's cultural heritage and belong here