Where is Nepal located?
So, basically where is Nepal Located? One might wonder. Everyone knows that Nepal is the land of the Himalayas. They are also conscious of the fact that it’s abode to the world’s highest mountainMt. Everest(8848m). But how many of these people know where is Nepal located? Well if you’re not self-aware of it given a small area, then here’s a little help.
Nestled on the back of Himalaya, Nepal lies between two powerful nations, China and India. It dwells in the south of Tibet stretching approximately 500 miles from east to west and 90-150 miles from north to south. The 1,751 km border of Nepal also comprises a small part of the Indo-Gangetic Plain on the southern side.
Mahakali River in the west is what separates Nepal from India forming a border between the two nations. Meanwhile, its boundary with China elongates alongside the mountain range from northwest-southeast to Tibet on the northern side of the Himalayas.
As a landlocked country, Nepal’s land formation is mixed. It’s divided into three geographical regions, mountainous northern region, central Hilly area, and lowland Terai. Lying in the outer foothills of southern Nepal and northern India, Terai provides more than 90 percent of Nepal’s population.
There’s no specific account of when and how humans first settled in Nepal. However, the archeological evidence suggests that the existence of people in the country could be traced somewhere back 30,000 years ago.
The first civilization was encountered after 6,500 BCE when people started building permanent structures. The formation of modern Nepal began in the mid-18th century after Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered the territories.
Today, Nepal covers an area of 1,4,7516 sq. km. with about 200 km width and 800 km length. More than 60 percent of the population in the country depends on agriculture. It’s empowered for agro-biodiversity and has a wide variety of vegetation including tropical evergreen and deciduous forests.
The mid-hills have subalpine coniferous forests like Oak and Rhododendron. After that, I’m sure you know where is Nepal located. If you want to be informed of where is Nepal on the map then keep scrolling.
Where is Nepal on the map?
Nepal is a small country sandwiched between two global powers that often gets overlooked. In fact, people have to search Where is Nepal on the map? Due to its small territory that gets lost in between China and India.
But that doesn’t mean the country is not acknowledged. Its breathtaking landscapes, sky-scraping mountains, and cascading waterfalls are appreciated by travelers. It’s for which the country is visited by people from all around.
If you ask me where is Nepal on the map, then it’s in Southeast Asia bordered by India to the west-east, south, and China to the north. The total boundary of Nepal measures 2,926 km long. It lies next to the southern slopes of the Himalayan range between 28° latitude in the north and 84° longitude in the east.
Nepal is almost 813 km far from neighboring country Bangladesh which too shares a border with India. The country roosts in 3,64,51997.5 acres of land which includes the disputed territory.
Climate of Nepal
Nepal’s climate is serene and relies heavily on topography. Based on altitude, it ranges from subtropical to arctic. The mountainous region has a highland climate with the temperature reaching only up to 10 Degree Celsius maximum.
The lowlands are terribly hot with high precipitation. Temperatures of Terai can soar up to 40 Degree Celsius in summer while the winters are a bit cold. The hottest days with record high temperatures have people of Terai fighting heat waves.
So if you’re planning a summer visit to any of the places in the region, make sure to check the weather forecast. The midland has a lovely climate with warm summers and cold winters. June in the hillside is cooler and placid than lowland while the winters are pretty chilly.
Change in the climate of Nepal happens due to season. Winter brings cold nights and mornings with pleasant days except for mountains. The region gets heavy snowfall during the season, making it difficult for climbers to ascend the trail.
Autumn and Spring are two loveliest seasons for visiting the country. The climate of Nepal during these seasons is mild for most of the days. Temperature ranges from -10 Degree Celsius to 20 Degree Celsius.
Places at higher elevations are slightly colder than the hills and flat. As else in the world, the Monsoon likely brings high rainfall in Nepal. Continuous thunderstorm and flashes of lightning marks
Tourism in Nepal
Tourism in Nepal has flourished ever since it has come to light of the whole world. Today, Nepal, it’s one of the leading tourist destinations in Asia. Recently, the country was visited by more than 1.1 million people from various countries, contributing to tourism in Nepal.
Given so many fabulous places to visit, it’s easy to see the madness for Nepal. Most travelers enjoy trekking to the rugged trail of the Himalayas and sighting snow peaks. But there are many other places where you can escape including Kathmandu City.
Its colorful buildings, well-carved temples, rooftop cafes, and restaurants seem to draw outsiders. Following the increasing flow of tourists, the city has also strengthened the financial state of Tourism in Nepal.
Growing adventure activities has also increased the scope of tourism in Nepal. Pokhara is one of the major attractions for spine-chilling adventures in Nepal. Some of the growing sports are ultralight flight, hand gliding, canyoning, and paddle-boarding. These activities have seen an economic upsurge in the country.
Most popular adventure activities in Nepal:
Everest Base Camp Trek
Nothing soothes the heart than an unspoiled countryside view with lofty mountains and plunge waterfalls. This very same thing compels travelers to scramble Himalaya and soak in the magnificent view.
Everest Base Camp is the most popular trek in the mountain that echoes natural grandeur.
Its old cragged trail moving from Lukla passes several quaint villages, green meadows, and cliffs. Trekkers will have a great time visiting Tibetan monasteries, mound-style Chortens, and forests on the way to the base camp.
On the downside, hikers will have to deal with the rugged trail for almost 2 weeks that walks above and beyond. Altitude acclimatization is a common challenge for all the Everest base camp hikers which normally occurs afore Namche. Upon reaching an altitude of 5,364 meters, you’ll get an astounding view of Everest alongside Nuptse and Ama Dablam.
Paragliding
By no means, travelers walking the streets of Pokhara will not know about paragliding. It’s a major attraction of the city that leaves adventurers hovering in the mid-air. Paragliders will have to scramble up to Sarangkot to attempt the adventure.
The parachute launches off from 1,592 meters altitude and floats over lakeside Pokhara. Unlike other hand-actuated adventures, paragliding is maneuvered by the wind. The only thing you’ll have to do throughout the adventure is to give the parachute the right direction.
Hanging from a harness in the sky, you’ll get a seamless view of Pokhara city. You can gaze down anytime to watch the serene lakes of Pokhara. If not that, look over the vivacious valley and mountains that provide an impressive view.
Paragliding on the lakeside Pokhara is a mind-boggling adventure for thrill-seekers. As it’s one of the most popular adventure activities, travelers from all around who visit Nepal attempt it for once.
Mountain Biking
Do as you please flip, dirt jump, or freeride because mountain biking in Nepal comes with innumerable choices. There are all kinds of a trail here, well-marked, forest path, unpaved, and dry. So, depending on your skills, you can choose any of them to fully enjoy the most popular adventure activities.
This adventure sees bikers cycling off-road between stone and mud over a terrace farm. Mountain slides and cross country are slightly difficult to perform on the hillside but not impossible.
A little more time and practice are all that you need to ace the sport. There are a bunch of places where the bikers can travel for the gruesome race against rocks and dirt. Mustang is one where any travelers would go mountain biking.
Winding through cliffs and arid, its trail will drive you fanatic while offering a fabulous view. You shall visit the old Royal Palace, mud-brick walls, and gompas at Lo Manthang. Climb the cliffs and red rocks to watch mesmerizing Annapurna massif and Dhaulagiri.
White Water fishing
Fishing in icy cold water is the coolest way to enjoy summer in Nepal. It’s the least frightening adventure with no jumping off a suspension bridge or scrambling high cliffs. The recreation activity is all about a perfect fishing river and a visibly marvelous view.
Nepal has got plenty of such places where you can enjoy a panoramic view while waiting to hook the fish. Trishuli river is one of the ideal spots for anglers to catch freshwater fish like Golden Mahseer and Eel.
Located at the city’s urban center, Trishuli River is 96.2 km away from Kathmandu. It’ll take travelers anywhere from 2-3 hours to arrive at Charaudi. This is the place to start fishing before moving to Kuringhat where there are different species of fish.
It offers a picturesque view of rolling landscapes, lush green forests, and soaring hills. Just in case you get tired of fishing, try doing kayaking or bungee as it’s too much fun getting splashed by water.
Chitwan National Park Safari
If you prefer walking into the wild instead of glaring at it from the height then Chitwan National Park is your place to escape. It’s a slightly smaller reserve compared to most national parks. And despite that, Chitwan has provided habitat to more than 700 species of animals.
Spanned in an area of 952.6 sq. km., the park is a playground for sloth bears and honey badgers. Leopard cats, yellow-throated martens, and Asian palm civets rove on the meadows of Chitwan, giving visitors their glimpse.
During the ride through subtropical lowlands, you’ll also get to sight rare animals like the mongoose and Indian Pangoloose. Perched at Terai lowlands, Kathmandu to Chitwan Nationalpark distance is 169.7km. It takes maximally 5 hours to reach Sauraha, the starting point of the trip. Provided that how relaxing the recreation activity is, tourists, mark it as one of the most popular adventure activities in Nepal.
Major cities in Nepal
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the cultural capital of Nepal with primeval buildings, great monuments, and religious shrines. It’s a melting pot of culture, museums, and archives, which has retained a collection of old manuscripts.
The city is as pretty as a picture following wooden houses, pagoda-style temples, and craft shops. There are art galleries and drive-in theatres along the streets where you can sneak in any day.
Century-old spanning neighborhoods in Kathmandu puts a smile on the face of every traveler. They are old but still exquisite and in great condition to host sightseers. Durbar square is the center of attraction in Kathmandu as
They have got a series of temples, religious shrines, royal palaces, courtyards, and stone spouts. Local markets, cafe shops, and restaurants are pretty much in every nook and corner of the city where you’ll get a palate of beautiful delicacies and tasty dishes.
Pokhara
Pokhara is the only city where travel and adventure go side by side. It’s the most appealing place to be and gape at the stunning horizon and walk lakeside. There are many epic places to visit in Pokhara which include Devi’s Falls, Mahendra Cave, and Tal Barahi.
Gateway to Annapurna massif, Pokhara has a bunch of trekking destinations to offer hikers. If you’re beginners, do short distance treks like Ghorepani or Poon Hill as they’re easily accessible. It takes no more than 3 days to complete these hikes and watch the astounding Annapurna massif.
After the incredible journey, you’ll get to cherish the warm hospitality of locals and delicious local foods. Travelers must get to the cliff to watch the bright orange sunrise over the mountains and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Avid mountaineers can scramble up to Annapurna Base Camp and further Annapurna Circuit to enjoy the sight of glistening snow peaks. The streets of Pokhara are filled with local shops where you can get souvenirs to take back home. A lot of handmade products can be found in these markets.
From a tourism perspective, Pokhara is one of the major cities in Nepal. Every year more than 1 million tourists make their way to Pokhara to traverse the city. As an adventure paradise, the city offers plenty of spine-chilling activities like zip-lining, ultra-light flying, skydiving, paragliding, boating, and many more.
Lalitpur
Next door to Kathmandu is another utopian city Lalitpur which is as old as the capital. It has a long and time-worn history with quite-grown landmarks and former royal palaces. Monuments build earlier like ancient temples with heavenly nymphs, colorful artworks, and sculptures.
Located in the south-central of Kathmandu valley, Lalitpur is the third-largest city of Nepal. Its foundation dates back to the third century B.C. of the Kirat dynasty. It’s the reason why there are more prehistoric royal palaces, lovely Newari houses, and ponds in the city.
Lalitpur is a cultural hub whose eminence pretty much lies in the gorgeous temples and artifacts. One of the oldest cities in the valley, Lalitpur brims with beautiful pilgrimage and monasteries.
You must take a stroll on the narrow stone trail of Lalitpur to watch stunning wooden carved temples and a museum. Arts and architecture seep from the city’s wall engraved to form heavenly goddesses and deities. Hence, it is also known as the city of fine arts.
Biratnagar
One of the major cities in Nepal, Biratnagar is incredibly gorgeous than one could have ever imagined. The city is quite appealing to visitors with places of interest like Ocean Park, Dantaki Temple, and Panchakanya.
Biratnagar is as populated as Kathmandu with more than two hundred thousand population. A large part of the country’s financial support comes from Biratnagar. In short, it’s the economic center of eastern Nepal. One of the biggest multinational business houses Golchha Organization is based in Biratnagar.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Eastern Terai is a perfect escape for nature lovers traveling Biratnagar. It is extended to a small area of 175 sq. km and has varied animals such as Hog deer, Wild boar, and Golden Jackal.
Bird watchers will definitely enjoy their time in the reserve. They’ll get to see as many as 485 bird species including Pallas’s fish eagle and Swamp francolin.
Hetauda
Hetauda is another city that has caught the magnificent beauty of Nepal on a canvas just as it is. The town is vibrant and full of life with green patches, lofty hills, and some typical Nepali houses. People with different ethnicities living in Hetauda give a clear insight into how diverse the town is.
Located in central Nepal in Makwanpur district, Hetauda is close to Kathmandu. The distance from the valley to this beautiful town is roughly 86.9 km. It’ll take you just about 3-4 hours to reach Hetauda and enjoy its stunning view.
There are ample places to explore in Hetauda like Martyr Memorial Park and View Tower. You can also visit the famous Manakamana Temple where both locals and tourists come to offer their prayers. Hetauda is an industrial region of Nepal with factories like Yeti Paints industries, Riddhi Siddi Cements, and Hetauda Cement Factory.
Tansen
It’s not fair for one city to be so stunning that you can’t even pinpoint a single flaw. With historic towns and scenic vista, Tansen makes the most charming city of all. It has everything a traveler can hope for, quiet forests, cascading waterfalls, and the kindest locals.
The sheer beauty of Tansen is best explored on foot. You shall walk along the uneven trail of the city through woods and hills to reach the town. The influence of the Magar community and their religion can be witnessed on a massive scale.
It’s for the sake of which Tansen is renowned as a Magar Kingdom today. The city offers a magnificent view of a series of mountains including Kanjiroba, Mansiri, Langtang, and Annapurna. The sightseeing places include Rani Mahal, Tansen Durbar, Bhagwati Temple, and white lake.
Those interested to visit the city have to take a bus ride from Kathmandu via Prithvi Highway. The city lies in the west of Nepal between Pokhara and Butwal so the visitors will also get to see beautiful Pokhara. Given such a harmonious relationship with two major cities in Nepal, Tansen is worth visiting.
