Nepal is a landlocked country with a total land area of 147,181 sq. km. It lies between 26º 22' N - 30º 27' N latitude and 80º 4'E - 88º 12'E longitude. Roughly rectangular in shape, the land extends approximately 885-kms-east west and 145 kms. The country is bordered by China in the north and India in the south, west and east.

The land mass is divided into three geographical zones. The snow capped high Himalayas, the mountainous region with long terraced slopes leading to fertile valleys and the flat sub-tropical Terai region. The high Himalayan region extends in the north from west to east at an altitude of 4,000 m. to 8,848 m. The world famous peak of Mt. Everest (8848 m.), Kanchanjunga (8586m), Makalu (8463m.), Dhaulagiri (8167m.) Annapurna (8091m.) and many others dominate the formidable range of everlasting snows. The alpine region consists of mountain ranges of Mahabharata varying in height from 1525 m. to 4877m. Below these ranges lies the Churia range at 610 m. to 1524-m. Fertile valleys of various width and altitude lie between these mountain and hill ranges. The southern belt stretches east to west by a width of 26 to 32 km. and a maximum elevation of about 305 metres.

Several major rivers, tributaries and streams flow southwards originating from the glaciers, snow fed lakes and high Himalayan Mountains of the north. The major rivers are the Mahakali, Seti, Karnali, Gandaki, Koshi and Mechi.

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History in Nepal
Nepal enjoys the glory of always being a sovereign and independent country. It has never been under foreign domination.

Ancient Nepal consisted of many small autonomous states. King Prithivi Narayan Shah unified Nepal by bringing these small states together into one nation in 1769. Since then Kathmandu has been the capital of Nepal. After the Anglo-Nepali War

(1814-1816), Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana greatly expanded his powers and established the Rana lineage of hereditary Prime Ministers who ruled Nepal until 1951, when the late King Tribhuvan led a popular revolution which put an end to the Rana autocracy. In 1959, the first general election was held and the parliamentary government was set up for a short period. Nepal experienced the liberal panchayat system for three decades.

The popular people's movement welcomed the new era of democracy in 1990. A new constitution was written to secure the sovereignty of the people and a democratic political system with constitutional monarchy was established.

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Geography in Nepal
Nepal, a sovereign independent kingdom, (between 80° 4' and 88° 12' East longitude and 26° 22' and 30° 27' North latitude) is bounded on the North by the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, the East-South and West by India. The length of the Kingdom is 885 kilometers east-west, and it's breadth varies from 145-241 kilometers north-south. The country can be divided into three main geographical regions.

(a) Himalayan Region : The altitude of this region ranges between 4877 m. - 8848 m. m. It includes 8 of the highest 14 summits in the world which exceed altitude of 8000 meters.
(b) Mountain Region : This region accounts for about 64 percent of total land area. It is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4877 meter and the lower Churia range.
(c) Terai Region : The low-land Terai occupies about 17 percent of the total land area of the country.

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People in Nepal
Nepal has a population of more than 23 million people made of different races living in different regions, with diverse culture, languages and dialects. The Gurungs and Magars live mainly in the west. The Rais, Limbus and Sunuwars inhabit the slopes and valleys of the eastern mid hills. The Sherpas live in the Himalayan region. The Newars constitute an important ethnic group of the capital valley Kathmandu. There are Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals in the Terai region. The Brahmans, Chhetris and Thakuris are spread generally over most parts of the kingdom.

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Festival in Nepal
A festival is always a meaningful event in Nepal where the people find more joy in participation than just watching. In Nepal every festival has some purpose to serve; such as to bring rain or to have good harvest, to honor a mother or father, to avert calamities or to nourish one’s soul with something spiritual. In fact festivals are the best way to understand and appreciate the Nepalese way of life.

Navavarsha (April) : The Nepalese New Year’s Day usually falls in the second week of April i.e. the first day of Baisakh. The day is observed as a national holiday. The people celebrate it with a great pomp and show. On this occasion, Bisket Jatra is held in the City of Bhaktapur.

Baisakh Poornima (April): As Nepal is birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia, the triple anniversary of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death is observed with many colorful ceremonies on this day. People celebrate the occasion with great veneration paying homage to Buddha at places like Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath and Lumbini.

Red Machchhendranath Rath Jatra (May-June): This festival is the biggest socio-cultural event of Patan. The wheeled chariot of a deity known as Bungdyo or Red Machchhendranath is made at Pulchowk and dragged through the city of Patan in several stages till it reaches the appointed destination Lagankhel. The grand finale of the festival is called the “Bhoto Dekhaune” or the “ showing of the vest”. A similar kind of chariot festival White Machchhendranath is also held in Kathmandu City in the month of March-April.

Dumji (July): It is celebrated in all the Sherpa settlements. The Sherpas of Kathmandu and Helambu regions participate in dancing on this day.

Mani Rimdu (Nov-Dec): It is a Sherpa dance drama performed in the Khumbu Region. It is held annually at Tengboche and Chiwong monastries and at Thami Gomba. The performers are monk and the occasion is highlighted by much gaiety and feasting.

Gaijatra (July-Aug): Gaijatra, popularly known as Cow festival, is a carnival that lasts eight days. Dancing, singing comedy and anything that causes mirth and laughter are its highlights.

Krishnastami (July-Aug): It marks the birthday of Lord Krishna. On this day, impressive ceremonies are conducted at the Krishna temple in Patan and at Changu Narayan.

Indrajatra (Aug-Sep): The festival of Indra, the god of rain, is observed with great enthusiasm in Kathmandu valley. The festival lasts for eight days. The chariot of Kumari, the Living Goddess, is taken out in procession through the main streets of Kathmandu. The festival is specially noted for the echoes of drums and dancing feet of the masked dancers.

Dashain / Durga Puja (Sep-Oct): The Dashain festival is the most important festival of the Neplease. The entire country is in enthusiastic holiday mood at the time of the festival.

Tihar (Oct-Nov): Known as the “Festival of Lights”, Tihar is celebrated for five days. Houses are illuminated at night and special sweets of different varieties are prepared.

Vibhaha Panchami (Nov-Dec): This is a famous festival of Janakpur in the eastern Terai. The occasion commemorates the marriage of Sita to Ram, one of the most venerated Hindu divinities. It attracts thousands of pilgrims from India to Janakpur.

Lhosar (Feb): This festival is most impressively observed in the month of February by the Sherpas. They organize folk songs and dances on this occasion. These dances can be seen in Khumbu, Helambu and other northern regions of Nepal and also at Bouddhanath in Kathmandu.

Maha Shivaratri (Feb): Shivaratri or the night of Lord Shiva is observed in February- March. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. A great religious fair takes place in the Pasupatinath Temple and thousands of people from all over Nepal and India flock the Temple to worship Lord Shiva.

Ghodejatra (March-April): Known as the Festival Of Horses, it is one of the most exciting festivals of Kathmandu. Horse race and other sports take place at Tundikhel on this day. It other parts of the city, various deities are carried shoulder-high on palanquin (khat) to the accompaniment of traditional music.

Teej (Aug-Sep): Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated by women. Dancing, folk song and the red color of women’s wedding saris dominate the days of Teej. Women observe a fast flock to shiva temples where married once pray for a happy conjugal life and unmarried ones for a good husband.