Nepal

Location:  

Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates:

28 00 N, 84 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:    

Total: 147,181 sq km 

Land: 143,181 sq km 

Water: 4,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

Slightly larger than Arkansas

Land boundaries:

Total: 2,926 km 

Border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Climate:

Varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south

Terrain:

Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north

Elevation extremes: 

Lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m 

Highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m

Natural resources:

Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Land use:  

Arable land: 16.07% 

Permanent crops: 0.85% 

Other: 83.08% (2005)

Irrigated land: 

11,350 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

210.2 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

Total: 10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%) 

Per capita: 473 cu m/yr (2000)

Population:

29,519,114 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.095% (2008 est.)

Ethnic groups:

Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census)

Religions:

Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)

Languages:

Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census)

Literacy:

Total population: 48.6% 

Male: 62.7% 

Female: 34.9% (2001 census)

Geography - note:

  

Landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively