Most people in the world are still unaware of the location of Nepal. They simply wander about the location of the land of the Himalayas, Nepal. And ask the question “Where is Nepal” or “Location of Nepal? Worry not this article gives you a detailed idea of “where is Nepal”, Nepal people, the Nepal Flag, the Capital of Nepal, and many more.

Location of Nepal

Nepal, the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a landlocked country in Southern Asia. So the location of Nepal is in South Asia. Lying along the southern slope of the Himalayan mountain ranges, Nepal is a sovereign country mainly in the Himalayas but it also includes some parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Nepal is a country in the lap of the Himalayas that borders India in the south, east, and west and Tibet, (an autonomous China) in the north. Bangladesh is just 27km from the southeastern tip of Nepal. So now this answers the question of “Where is Nepal” or “Location of Nepal”.

With a diverse geography, Nepal is home to the highest peaks including the world’s highest  Everest. Nepal falls within the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle where its latitudes prove its vicinity to the Tropic of Cancer. Because the country is located at the foothills of the Himalayas, the climatic Pattern of Nepal is not a temperate one.

With a total area of 1,47,181 sq. km, Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal. It ranks 49th in terms of population and 93rd in terms of area. It is a small country with 28 million of the total population, occupying only 0.1% of the earth’s surface. The elevation ranges from less than 1000m above the sea level in the Terai region to the highest point of 8848.86m in the Himalayan region to the summit of Mount Everest. Nepal is a multiethnic country with Nepali as a major language.

Upon knowing about the location of Nepal or Where is Nepal. Now, let’s move toward the ecological zones of Nepal. Nepal can be broadly divided into three ecological zones and they are the lowland, midland, and highland. The lowland is the Terai region, the midland is Hilly whereas the Highland is the Himalayan region which is home to the world’s highest peak Everest.

Ecological Zones of Nepal

The Lowland (Terai Region)

The flat region of Terai begins at the Indian border and includes the southernmost part of the flat named Outer Terai covering the total land of 17% of Nepal. This region is regarded as the cultivation land of Nepal as most of the people are highly active in agriculture and trading. Terai is popular as the storehouse of Nepal. Also, Terai is a region with a large industrial area. Similarly, 48% of the total population lives in the Terai region which is higher than that of Hilly and Himalayan. Terai is an area of heavily material sub-tropical forest inhabited by the Royal Bengal Tiger, leopard, one-horned Rhino, several species of deer with 450 species of rare birds.

The Midland (Hilly Region)

The hilly region or Midhill is the largest region among the three occupying 68% of the total land area. The Hilly region is the mountain region without snow with a total population of 48%. The hilly region lies south of the Himal, beginning at Mahabharat Range. The Hilly region is the home of the ancient ethnic people of Nepal. The climate is very suitable in this region with a warm summer and moderate winter. Because of monsoon clouds from the Bay of Bengal, the eastern hills receive most rainfalls. Besides, the hilly region is home to various habitats such as leopard, deer, bear, monkeys, butterflies, and over 400 species of birds.

The Highland (Himalayan Region)

The Himalayans lie on the northern border of the country occupying 15% of the total land area. This region is famous for some popular Himalayan peaks. 8 out of the 10 highest peaks in the world fall in this region. The human settlement in the highland is very low than that of the Hilly and Terai region. Only 8% of the population lives there. Sherpas, Bates, and Tamang are the major descendants of this region. Most people are guides in climbing, expedition, and mountaineering. The highest altitude range in the Himalayan region is 8848m but human settlement is only possible at less than 4000m altitudes. Although summer settlement there can be as high as 5000m.

Capital of Nepal

This article also covers the information regarding the Capital of Nepal, besides the topic of where is Nepal or the location of Nepal. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. The city is also the largest one with a total population of around 1 million. It stands at an elevation of 1400m above sea level. Kathmandu is regarded as the city of Temples as this city is home to most of the cultural heritage sites in Nepal. 7 out of  10 UNESCO heritage sites are in Kathmandu valley.

Kathmandu was the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Nepal in an ancient period. Covering a total area of 49.45 sq. km, the city has been the headquarters of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) since 1985. The capital of Nepal is the center of Nepal’s history, art, culture, and economy. It has a multi-ethnic population with the majority of the Newar community. Also, The majority of the population in the capital of Nepal follow Hinduism and Buddhism as their major religion.

There are several myths regarding the formation of the valley. The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu was once a lake full of a lotus floating on it according to Swayambhu Puran. Then, Manjushree from Tibet saw a bright flame coming from the lotus and therefore want to see it. Thus, it is said that he cut the George near the Chobar hill as a result water from the lake drains out and hence becomes a liveable valley. The George still exists at Chobar around 6km southwest of Kathmandu. Later, the bright flame from the lotus turned into Swayambhunath, which is a Buddhist stupa now. On the other hand, some believe that Lord Krishna cut the valley with his Sudarshan Chakra and submerge a beautiful city. Therefore, with different myths and beliefs, the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is an incredibly diverse historic city with amazing architecture.

Kathmandu Nepal

The capital of Nepal Kathmandu is the gateway to the Nepali Himalayas. Tourism is one of the most important parts of the economy in Kathmandu. The city was ranked third among the highest ten upcoming travel destinations in the world and first in Asia by TripAdvisor. With its diverse culture and heritage, Kathmandu attracts plenty of visitors per annum. As the heritage sites in Kathmandu are listed in The UNESCO cultural heritage list. The names on the heritage list in Kathmandu are Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Kathmandu is also home to several museums and art galleries. The ancient Durbar Square in Kathmandu is a museum in present days that preserve ancient art and architecture. Kathmandu generally encompasses a moderate climate with warm summer and mild winter. Climate is another factor that draws visitors’ attention to this city.

The neighboring districts of the capital of Nepal are Patan and Bhaktapur. These two districts including Kathmandu come under the Kathmandu valley. The valley was before Nepal Mandala with three major districts ruled by the Mallas kings. Because of the same rulers, Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur have the same kinds of art, architecture, culture, and tradition. Besides, the majority of people living inside the valley belong to the Newar community. Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Changunarayan are the remaining UNESCO-listed cultural heritage sites in Bhaktapur and Patan which lie inside the Kathmandu valley.

Nepal Population

Besides just the topic of where is Nepal and the location of Nepal, this article also talks about the topic of the Nepal Population. Despite being a small country in Area, Nepal ranked 49th in terms of population. With a total area of only 1,47,184 sq. km, the total Nepal population is around 28 million. But the recent survey undertaken on Jan 30, 2021, the total Nepal population is 29,438,815. The survey is based on world meter elaboration of the United Nations data. The Nepal Population is equivalent to 0.37% of the total world’s population. The Nepal population is high in the city area. The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu holds the largest population.

The total number of people living in Kathmandu is 1442271 followed by Pokhara with around 200000 of the total population. The population is high in major cities such as Patan, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Biratnagar, Birjung, Dharan, Janakpur, Hetauda, Nepaljung. Whereas the number population is low in village areas like Dolpa, Rolpa, Jumla, Rukum, etc.

Nepal Population according to Geological region

Nepal is divided into three ecological belts Hilly, Himalayan, and Terai Belt. And the Nepal population differs in those three ecological belts. The Highland or the Himalayan has the lowest total population in Nepal.  Around 8% of the total population lives in the Himalayan region of Nepal which is considerably low compared to any other region. As a major part of the Himalayan region is covered with Mountains because of which the human settlement is very low because of unsuitable landscapes and extreme climate. On the other hand, the hilly region has over 45% of the total population living here. Because the capital of Nepal lies in this region, Kathmandu alone holds a population of around 1442271. Because of the facilities and infrastructure, people are attracted to this region.

Besides, the climate is another major factor for the high population here. The Hilly region has a mild and moderate climate with warm summer and moderate winter.

Lastly, the highest number of human settlements is in the Terai region. Around 48% of the total population lives in the Terai region. Because of the flat and cultivable land, people prefer the Terai region for farming and agriculture. Besides, this region is highly influenced by industrial development. So, people prefer the Terai region for the several facilities available there.

Nepal Climate

After talking about the various topics like where is Nepal, the Location of Nepal, Nepal population, capital of Nepal. Now let’s talk about the Climate of Nepal. The climate of Nepal is highly influenced by the altitude due to the location of Nepal which lies in the Subtropical range which is a few degrees north of the equatorial line. The climate in Nepal differs according to its topography ranging from sub-tropical to arctic depending upon the elevation. However, the presence of the Himalayas in most of the Nepalese land varies the climate to a larger extent. The climate varies according to the geological belt as the lowland region has a hot and humid climate whereas the mid-hill region is pleasant almost all the year-round, although winter nights are cool.

Similarly, The northern mountain region, at an elevation above 3,353m has an alpine climate which results in considerably lower temperatures all around the year. The climate in Nepal can be divided into five major seasons as

Monsoon

There are two clear wet and dry seasons during Monsoon in Nepal. However, the wet days of summer are Monsoon days. The rainfall in Nepal is mostly during Monsoon in summer and the remaining are dry days. It is the major rainy time of the year between mid-June and September. However, the months of seasons vary with the slant and elevation of the Himalayas where the northern slopes and higher altitudes are less warm whereas the southern slopes and lower altitudes receive regular rainfall with mild temperature. The rains mostly occur at night with rare thunderstorms that make the next days crispy clean and fresh. Furthermore, the longevity of summer and autumn also depends on the Monsoon. The northern belt of the Himalayan zone is ideal for trekking and expedition during the Monsoon season.

Summer

Summer is the hottest and another season suitable for an outing in Nepal. The summer in Nepal begins in May and lasts till August. The climate of northern Nepal in summer is cool and severe, whereas the mid-hill has a hot climate. On the other hand, the temperature is extremely hot in the lowland region. The average temperature of Nepal during the summer month is around 28-degree celsius. However, the temperature in mid-hill and Terai are higher than those of the Himalayas. Therefore, the summer in Nepal is hot and humid.

Autumn

In Nepal autumn starts with the end of the Monsoon and it ends with the beginning of winter from September to November. Autumn is the festival season in Nepal. Nepalese hold major festivals during this month such as Dashain, Tihar, and chats. The temperature is moderate with warmer days and cooler nights. Autumn is the best season for outdoor and adventurous activities in Nepal such as trekking, rafting, and wildlife jungle safari.

Winter

Winter starts in November and lasts till February.  Days in winter are dry days with few or no rainfalls at all. The winter in the Himalayan region is extreme as mid-hill experience such days sometimes. The days of Kathmandu valley in the winter season are 20 degrees Celsius on sunny days where the night temperature falls below freezing. The little rains in winter are due to Mediterranean activities. Also, the rain predicts the starting of winter as well as the ending of winter. Therefore, the winter rainfall in western Nepal has more rain than those in eastern Nepal.

Spring 

Another best and most preferable season in Nepal is spring. Spring begins in February and lasts till May. There are very low chances of occasional showers and rains in spring. The days are mild days however the nights can be a little cooler than the days. It is also one of the finest seasons for the exploration of Nepal. This season is even best for trekking enthusiasts where the weather is clear and the temperature is moderate.

Nepal People

You have now got the answers to the question like where is Nepal, the Climate of Nepal, Nepal’s Population. So now we move towards the topic of Nepal People. The people living in Nepal are called Nepali. Putting both hands together and saying Namaste with a genuine smile is the way of greetings Nepali people. Nepal is a multicultural, multiethnic, and multilingual country. It is a small country where people of various castes speak a different language with their own culture and tradition.

Nepal is a secular country and home to multiple religions, races, caste, cultures, and traditions. In ancient Nepal, the caste system in Nepal contains four broad social classes which are; Brahmins, Kshetras, Vaishya, and Shudras. Nepal is home to over 100 ethnic groups with their language and ethnicity. The widely spoken language is Nepali, Newari, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Nepal Bhasa, Tamang Bhasa, Urdu, Hindi, and English.

People of Nepal

The earliest settlers of Nepal are Kirats, Newars, Tharus, and Khas Pahadis. The Kirats were the indigenous settlers of the eastern part whereas the Newars were the indigenous settlers of the western parts. The Tharus were the prehistoric tribes who were the descendants of the plains. On the other hand, Khas Pahadi were the major settlers of the western part of Nepal during the ancient period.

Nepali people are the friendliest people. The people of Nepal considered visitors equal to God. Once you visit a Nepali family in the Village area, they will invite you to the meal, serve you, and take care of your needs during your stay. As they believe in “Aathithi deva Baba” meaning, Guest as God. You can find the difference in the attitude of people living in the village and cities areas. As most of the people in the city area are busy with their daily life, they care less about others’ matters. But overall, people are friendly and warm. However, people in the village will keep you company, welcome you, become your guide, and take care of your needs.

Once you start knowing people Nepal is no longer a stranger place and you are no longer a stranger. Despite the difference in castes and religion, there is a feeling of brotherhood among every Nepali people.

The profession of Nepal People

Nepal People are hardworking, brave, and friendly. Most people are active in Agricultural occupations. Nepal is an agricultural country and most of the people are farmers here. However, the occupation of Nepal people differs according to the geological region. As most of the people in the Himalayan region are engaged in tourism Industries. The mountains in Nepal are famous in the world as Nepal is home to the world’s tallest peaks including Everest. The 1st person to reach the summit of Everest was also Nepali, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa with Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand. Similarly, people in the Hilly Region are active in Agriculture as well as the people living in cities are occupied with various businesses and trading. Likewise, people in Terai are farmers and also traders and engaged in several large-scale and small-scale industries.

Nepal People according to Geographical Region

On the other hand, the settlement in Nepal is based on the geographical region. The Nepal people living in the upper region or the Himalayan region of Nepal are mostly Sherpas, Tamang, and Bhotes with their major religion as Buddhism. The Himalayan region is close to Tibet which is why the culture and tradition are similar to that of Tibet. On the other hand, the Hilly region of Nepal has a multiethnic group. People of every caste, religion, and occupation live in the Hilly region because the region has the capital city. The majority of people living in Kathmandu valley are Newar Community whereas other settlements include, Brahmins, Chhetris, Magars, Gurungs, Rai, Sunar, Bishwokarma, etc. Most of the Nepal people follow Hinduism with the remaining ones as Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims.

Most in the village area, people are active in Agriculture whereas, in the Cities area industries, business and banking are the major sources of economy. Similarly, the major descendants of the Terai regions are Tharu. Being close to India the culture and tradition in the Terai region are similar to that of India. An industrial center, trading, and agriculture are the major occupations of the people living in the Terai region of Nepal.

Nepal Flag

Finally, the main article Where is Nepal or the location of Nepal, now covers the part of the Nepal Flag. With the rectangular flag of 194 Country, one can immediately notice the flag with unique features, and yes that is the Nepal Flag. The world’s only non-rectangular flag is the national flag of Nepal. The flag is a combination of two pennons with three colors. The red, blue and White. The crimson red symbolizes bravery as well as the national flower of Nepal Rhododendron. The blue border in the pennons symbolizes peace whereas the white sun and moon symbolize that the country has the same longevity as the sun and the moon. The Nepal flag acts as both state and civil flag. Each flag of the country has its importance so does the Nepal flag. It signifies the pride, the victory, and the self-honor of the country.

Nepal has remained a separate sovereign kingdom while many other countries in the Indian subcontinent were ruled by the British in the 17th-19th centuries. Nepal proudly flies its traditional flag during those years when the world was conquered by the British. The design of the flag dates back to the centuries. The color of the flag, Crimson and blue has been popular in Nepali art and decoration for ages ago. The white moon in the upper section with the white sun in the 2nd pennons is associated with different dynasties and the longevity of the nation like the sun and the moon. However, the present Nepal Flag with the same features was established under the new democratic constitution of Dec 16, 1962.

Conclusion

The article overall gives you an idea of the location of Nepal or where is Nepal, and other factors of Nepal. Nepal being a small country in southern Asia, is rich in Diverse vegetation, culture, art, architecture along with natural scenarios. Famous for being the home to High Himalayas including the world’s highest peak Everest, Nepal is a secular country. The warm hospitality of Nepalese people, their culture and tradition, ancient art, and architecture make Nepal a famous place for the visit. Cultural exploration, ethnic groups, their festivals and religion, and adventure in the Himalayan region create another sort of entertainment and refreshment to your journey in Nepal. Besides, the Himalayan region is highly influenced by Tibetan culture. Similarly, the mid-hill has its own preserved culture. On the other hand, the Terai being close to India gives the vibes of Indian culture.