Geography of Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked nation sharing borders with India to the east, south, and west, and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China to the north. Nepal’s total area is 147,516 km², with latitudes ranging from 26°20′ to 30°10′ north and longitudes from 80°15′ to 88°19′ east.

Nepal’s terrain is not uniform. The Terai, Himal, and Hilly regions are the three distinct regions that cover the geographically diverse nation of Nepal. Mount Everest is the nation’s highest point at 8,848.86 meters, while Mukhiyapatti Musharniya in Dhanusha District is the lowest at 59 meters. Nepal’s varied and spectacular landscape is shown by the striking elevation difference between these two locations. People of all religions, cultures, castes, and languages coexist peacefully in this area. Due to this diversity in geography, Nepal stands out from other nations in the world.

Nepal is in a dynamic geopolitical position, as it shares borders with China and India, which are 1,414 and 1,751 kilometers away, respectively. Nepal has long served as a bridge for trade and cultural exchange, standing between China and India, and it also acts as a buffer zone during times of regional unrest.

Topography of Nepal

The Himalayan Region

The Himalayan region is primarily a mountain range that spans an elevation range of 3,000 to 8,848 meters above sea level. Most places have a natural terrain with little human habitation, allowing nature to reign supreme in quiet. Only 16% of Nepal’s geographical area is the Himalayan region, but the population is low here due to its harsh climate and poor soil quality. A unique ethnic group known as the Sherpa resides in these regions.

In addition to Mount Everest (8,848m), the region is home to eight of the world’s fourteen summits that rise above 8,000 meters in elevation, as well as several other notable mountains. The other seven World’s Highest Peaks are Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,163m), and Annapurna (8,091m).

With its 6,000 rivers that are nourished by snow or rain, Nepal is home to the so-called “Water towers of South Asia.” The Himalayan-born Mahakali, Karnali, Narayani, and Koshi rivers are among the persistent rivers. The Mahabharat range and the Midlands give rise to several medium-sized rivers, including the Babai, West Rapti, Bagmati, Kamla, Kankai, and Mechi. In the Terai region, numerous seasonal streams flow through the plains, most of which originate in the Siwalik Hills.

The Hilly Region

The Hilly Region, situated between the towering Himalayas and the low-lying Terai, spans an elevation range of approximately 600 to 3,000 meters. The Hilly Region lies in the middle of Nepal and covers about 65% of the country’s land. It features a diverse landscape comprising flat areas, valleys, hills, and mountains. Approximately 43% of Nepal’s population resides in this region, making it the country’s second most populous area. There are many more valleys, of which Kathmandu and Pokhara are the famous ones. This region is further enchanted by the cultural diversity of locations such as the Kathmandu Valley, which is home to historic temples and colorful celebrations.

The region has several rivers that run from its northern to southern regions. This area is also a haven for trekkers, with paths meandering through terraced farms, medieval towns, and beautiful woodlands. The residents of this region rely entirely on agriculture as their primary source of income. They cultivate a variety of crops for their income source, including vegetables, oranges, ginger, tea, coffee, cardamom, and others, as well as millet, corn, and rice.

The Terai Region

The Terai Region, a geographical plain, is also known as the Granary of Nepal and comprises approximately 13% of the nation’s total geographical area, ranging in elevation from 59 to 600 meters above sea level. The Terai is also Nepal’s most densely populated region, accounting for over 48% of Nepal’s total population.

The region is filled with lush fields and plains, which accommodate both industry and agriculture. This area is home to a variety of uncommon flora and animals in its sub-tropical woods. The climate of this area ranges from subtropical to tropical. Multiple rivers flow through these areas, originating from the Himalayan and hilly regions, with the Koshi, Narayani, and Karnali being the three major rivers.

This region is home to several major cities, including Chitwan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, and Nepalgunj. It is home to two of Nepal’s most renowned national parks, Chitwan and Bardia, as well as a variety of wildlife reserves that are home to several endangered species of wildlife and other unique creatures. The forests of the Terai region are home to a diverse array of distinctive plants, birds, and animal species, including the Royal Bengal tiger, leopard, wild boar, one-horned rhino, wild elephant, gharial, mugger crocodiles, and deer species.

Climate and Natural Resources

Nepal’s varied topography and altitude influence its climate, resulting in a diverse range of climatic zones within a relatively small geographic region. There are four distinct seasons in the nation: spring, summer, monsoon, and winter.

The climate in the Terai region is tropical to subtropical, characterized by moderate winters and hot, muggy summers.  In the summer (March to June), temperatures here can get beyond 40°C. The climate of Nepal’s hilly regions is moderate, characterized by colder winters and milder summers. While winter temperatures can plummet to about 2°C, summer temperatures in places like Kathmandu often vary from 20°C to 35°C. The climate in the upper Himalayan regions is alpine, with chilly winters and cool summers. The environment above 5,000 meters becomes tundra-like, with most years experiencing temperatures that are consistently below freezing.

Nepal is known as the “water tower” of South Asia due to its extensive system of lakes, rivers, and glaciers. In terms of water resources, Nepal is regarded as one of Asia’s wealthiest nations and the second richest in the world. In Nepal, about 41% of the land is covered with forests. These woods provide non-timber forest products, fuelwood, lumber, and medicinal plants. Nepal is home to a diverse range of habitats, from alpine meadows to tropical jungles, which makes it rich in biodiversity. Numerous rare and endangered species, including the red panda, snow leopard, one-horned rhinoceros, and Bengal tiger, can be found throughout the country. Nepal’s entire land area comprises approximately 23% protected areas, including national parks and wildlife reserves.

Nepal’s unique geography brings both promise and challenges. From the icy peaks of the Himalayas to the warm, fertile plains of the Terai, the country is rich in natural beauty and resources. Nepal’s diverse landscape presents numerous opportunities for activities such as hydropower, tourism, and agriculture. But the same landscape also creates challenges. The steep hills, remote villages, and frequent natural disasters, such as earthquakes and landslides, make it challenging to build roads, connect communities, and grow the economy smoothly.