Geography of Nepal

Nepal measures about 800 kilometers (497 mi) along its Himalayan axis by 150 to 250 kilometers (93 to 155 mi) across. Nepal has an area of 147,181 square kilometers (56,827 sq mi).

Nepal is landlocked by India on three sides and China's Tibet Autonomous Region to the north. West Bengal's narrow Siliguri Corridor or Chicken's Neck separate Nepal and Bangladesh. To the east are India and Bhutan. Nepal depends on India for goods transport facilities and access to the sea, even for most goods imported from China.

Landform Regions

For a small country, Nepal has tremendous geographic diversity. It rises from as low as 59 metres (194 ft) elevation in the tropical Terai—the northern rim of the Gangetic Plain, beyond the perpetual snow line to some 90 peaks over 7,000 metres (22,966 ft) including Earth's highest 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) Mount Everest or Sagarmatha. In addition to the continuum from tropical warmth to cold comparable to polar regions, average annual precipitation varies from as little as 160 inches (4,064.0 mm) in the rainshadow north of the Himalaya to as much as 5,500 millimetres (216.5 in) on windward slopes.

Nepal

Nepal (ⁱ/nəˈpɔːl/;Nepali: नेपाल [neˈpal]), officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country located in South Asia. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 27 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by area and the 41st most populous country. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by China and to the south, east, and west by India. Nepal is separated from Bangladesh by the narrow Indian Siliguri Corridor and from Bhutan by the Indian state of Sikkim. Kathmandu is the nation's capital city and largest metropolis.

The mountainous north of Nepal has eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest (Nepali: सगरमाथा Sagarmāthā). More than 250 peaks over 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level are located in Nepal. The southern Terai region is fertile and humid.

Hinduism is practiced by about 81.3% of Nepalis, the highest percentage of any country. Buddhism is linked historically with Nepal and is practiced by 9% of its people, followed by Islam at 4.4%, Kiratism 3.1%, Christianity 1.4%, and animism 0.4%. A large portion of the population, especially in the hill region, may identify themselves as both Hindu and Buddhist, which can be attributed to the syncretic nature of both faiths in Nepal.

Nepal (surname)

'Nepal'(नेपाल) is a surname used by Khas Brahmin people of Nepal. They are the Aryans who have Persian ancestry. Nepal's are the family descendents of Rishi or sage Ghritakaushik which is also their Gotras. Nepal are said to be Kanyakubja Brahmin which fall under category Pancha-Gauda (worldwide classification) which means 'Northern Brahmin' and under Upadhyaya Brahmin in Nepalese classification of Brahmin.

Origin of Nepal as a surname

Before origin of surname Nepal, Nepals used to write their surname as Pandit or Upadhyaya. During the regime of 'Malla' King around 12th century in Khas Empire (present western Nepal) Pandit Jayabidyadhar was an advisor to the royal throne and administrator of Empire. In Khas empire there was tradition of honoring the people who dedicated their life for welfare of nation by providing them ownership rights of certain regions of Empire. Also they used to be called by name of that region. This system was known as 'Birtabarichalan' or 'Birtapratha' Following the tradition on 5th Magh, 1192 Bikram sambat (Nepalese Year) Malla king 'Akshay' Son of King 'Jitaridev' honored 2nd son of Bhagavan Bhaskar Pandit (Royal Priest) 'Jayabidyadhar Pandit' by providing him ownership of 3 different parts of empire named 'Nepa','Khaan', Barala (now lies in Western Nepal) as he dedicated his life for political and economic development empire and settling the trade dispute with Tibet. These 3 different regions were divided among sons of Jayabidyadhar Pandit where ownership of "Nepa" was granted to 1st son Sarwagyadhar Nepal. Nepa (name of region) was added to suffix aalaya (Nepa+aalaya) and then Nepal surname was introduced which was firstly used by 'Sarwagyadhar Nepal' and followed by his generations.

Nepal (disambiguation)

Nepal is a republic in Asia. The word may also refer to: