Facts
Nepal Facts: Geography, Culture and Records to Know
Nepal is small on the map and enormous in variety. These are the facts most readers ask about first: size, geography, people, language and national symbols.
Location, size and neighbours
Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, lying between India to the south, east and west, and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north. Its area is about 147,500 square kilometres, and it stretches roughly 800 kilometres from east to west while averaging only around 190 kilometres from north to south.
That narrow band contains an extraordinary range of altitude, from the low plains of the Tarai near sea level to the summit of Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) at 8,848.86 metres, the highest point on Earth.
Mountains and rivers
Eight of the world’s ten highest mountains lie in Nepal, including Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna.
The same altitude range produces fast rivers. The Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali systems carry water from the high mountains to the Ganges basin, and Nepal’s hydropower potential is one of the country’s largest natural resources.
People, languages and religion
Nepal’s population was counted as just over 29 million in the 2021 national census. The population is diverse, with more than a hundred caste and ethnic groups, and Nepali serves as the official language while many other languages and dialects are spoken at home, including Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tamang, Newar, Tharu and Avadhi.
Hinduism is the religion of the largest share of the population, with significant Buddhist, Muslim, Kirat, Christian and other communities. The Kathmandu valley alone has UNESCO World Heritage sites at Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares, plus Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan.
The flag and other national symbols
Nepal’s flag is the only non-quadrilateral national flag in the world: two stacked pennants, crimson with a blue border, carrying a moon and a sun. The design is linked to the historic ruling houses of the country.
The national flower is the rhododendron, the national bird is the Himalayan monal (danphe), and the national animal is the cow. Danphe is also the name of the country’s highest-scoring school-leaving grade band.
Festivals and everyday life
Nepal uses the Bikram Sambat calendar, which runs roughly 56 to 57 years ahead of the Gregorian year. Festivals follow both lunar and solar calendars, so dates shift each year.
Dashain is the longest and most widely celebrated festival, followed by Tihar, Chhath in the Tarai, and celebrations such as Bisket Jatra, Indra Jatra and Gai Jatra in the Kathmandu valley. Public life in Nepal is built around these calendars: schools close, businesses slow down and families travel home.
Quick facts table
Population, area and altitude figures are drawn from official census and survey sources and are rounded here for readability.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal |
| Capital | Kathmandu |
| Area | About 147,500 sq km |
| Population (2021 census) | Just over 29 million |
| Official language | Nepali |
| Currency | Nepalese rupee (NPR) |
| Highest point | Mount Everest (Sagarmatha), 8,848.86 m |
| Flag | Only non-rectangular national flag in the world |
Frequently asked questions
How many countries border Nepal?
Two: India to the south, east and west, and China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north.
What is Nepal most famous for?
The Himalayas and Mount Everest, its Hindu and Buddhist heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley, the Gurkhas, and festivals such as Dashain and Tihar.
What calendar does Nepal use?
The Bikram Sambat calendar is used officially alongside the Gregorian calendar. Bikram Sambat runs roughly 56 to 57 years ahead of the Gregorian year.
This article is general information about Nepal. Requirements, dates and prices change - always confirm the current position with the relevant official source.