NEPAL @ Glance
Nepal is a Kingdom of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments exotic wild life and diverse culture. It is the land where Lord Buddha was born over 2,500 years ago. Roughly rectangular in shape the kingdom of Nepal is situated between China to the north and India to the south. The land extends approximately 885 km. East to west, and 193 km north to south. Nepal is primarily an agricultural country. Tourism, Carpets and Garments are the major industries.

The Land
The terrain rises from the terai, the southern plains covered with tropical jungles and fertile farmland at almost sea level, to the high Himalayan mountains in the north with the valleys and lush green hills in between within a distance of less then 200 km. Eight of the 10 highest peaks in the world lie in Nepal.

The People
Nepal’s many ethnic groups are as varied as its land with their own languages and cultures. In the Kathmandu valley are Newars, whose artistry have earned them an international reputation. The Sherpas of the Himalayas are known as tough mountain climbers. Brahmins and Chhettris are scattered over the hills and valleys, and Tamang are found in the districts around Kathmandu valley. The Rais, Limbus, Magars and Gurungs of the mid hills have earned as Gurkhas soldiers. Lowland ethnic group s such as the Maithali, Bhojpuri and Tharu enhance the colorful mosaic, the population of Nepal is about 23 million.

The Climate
Nepal contains a variety of climatic conditions ranging from the tropical heat of the Terai plains to the freezing cold of the high Himalayas. The mid hills, particularly the Kathmandu valley, are pleasant with warm summer and cool winter. Temperature range between a maximum of 37 and a minimum of 8 degree Celsius in the plains, 28 and 2 degree Celsius in Kathmandu valley, and between, 6 and 16 degree Celsius in the mountains. The rainy season lasts from June to August

What to wear
Medium weight and easy to wash cottons can be a good choice year around in the Kathmandu valley. From October to February, woolen sweaters, Jackets or similar other outfits are necessary. Short or long sleeved shirts are good from March through May. From June to September, light and loose garments are advisable.

Wild Life
Nepal provides shelter to over 30 species of large wild animals and approximately 180 species of mammals. The rhinoceros, tigers, crocodiles, snow leopard red panda, Himalayan black dear, and many others beasts are found Nepal's jungles.
Nepal is also a haven for birds and over 800 species, representing approximately 10% of the world's population are found here. There are more then 650 species of butterflies and over 6,000 species of months.

Language
Nepali, written in the Devanagari script, is national language as well as the lingau Franca for Nepal ’diverse communities. Many languages and dialects are the spoken in the Kingdom, however, only 8 (Nepali, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Gurung, Rais, Limbus, Newari, Sherpas and Nepalbhasa) are spoken by more then half million people. English and Hindi are widely understood in the urban centers and places frequented by tourists

Currency
Nepalese Currency is the rupee (Aubrey. RS wish is divided into 100 paisa, bank notes come in denominations of 1000, and 500,50,20,10,5,2 and 1 rupees. Approximate exchange rate at the time of going to press US$ 1= RS 76.00 and Euro 1 = RS 73.00