Nepal

Nepal, the fabled land of Buddha, Hindu temples, and unrivaled mountain scenery, was controlled by a myriad of factions since the 4th century. The modern Nepalese state began in the late 18th century when King Prithvi Narayah Shah successfully unified most of the individual ethnic groups and small principalities into one entity. In search of additional lands, Nepal ventured into India, subsequently losing part of its own territory to British India, but retaining its independence. Nepal was at the time controlled by a monarch ( for life and by hereditary right ), but in 1951, the Nepalese monarch ( under great pressure ) ended that system of rule, and instituted a cabinet system of government. Only one year after the country's first election in 1959, King Kahendra dismissed the cabinet, dissolved parliament and banned political parties.


Since 1990, turmoil and Nepal have traveled hand-in-hand, as a bloody insurgency, a royal family massacre and assorted governmental conflicts and squabbles have dominated the headlines. In early 2005 ( once again ) the king dissolved the government and assumed power. In this poor country the tourism industry was once a significant economic force, as backpackers, river rafters, mountain climbers and nature lovers trekked to Nepal in large numbers.

Greetings from the " Himalayan Kingdom" of Nepal. A country of amazing extremes with the highest point on earth Mount Everest 8848 meter to the forested plains of the Terai. Nepal the land of medieval cities, where time stands still. Fast flowing rivers and rapids where white water rafting becomes a challenge so daring. A country with exotic flora & fauna, a bird watcher's dream and a home to the unique one horned rhino and the royal Bengal tiger. A place where temples and cultural diversity so large. It simply takes your breath away or to watch, explore, trek or just simply watch the sun go down in all its grandeur on the Himalayas…. One visit will surely ask for more and more


Location : Between India & the Tibetan autonomous Region of the peoples Republic of China.
Area : 147,181 Sq. Kms.
Population: Approximately 21 million
Latitude: 260 12' and 300 27' North.
Longitude: 800 4' and 880 12' East.
Capital: Kathmandu.
People : Over 40 Ethnic Groups & 70 Spoken Languages.
Political System : Multiparty Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy.
Topography: From the world's deepest gorge "Kali-Gandaki" to the highest point on earth Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) 8,848 meters above the sea level.
Vegetation: Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical Rain forests to Alpine deserts.
Climate: Climate ranges from sub-tropical in the low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes.
Seasons: Winter (December - February), Summer (March - may), Monsoon (June - Aug), Autumn (Sept-Nov)
National Bird : Impean Pheasant (Danfe)
National Flower : Rhododendron Arboreum (Lali Gurans)
Political System: Multi-Party Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy.
Time: Nepal Standard Time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time (IST).
Electricity: Major towns in Nepal have electricity and the voltage available is 220 - volts and 50 cycles. Load shedding is sometime experienced in Nepal.
World Heritage Sites : Ten (of which seven World Heritage Sites are situated within 20 Kms of radius, in the Kathmandu valley)
Flora and fauna :
840 different species of wetland, migratory and residential birds. 8% of the world's population of birds. 11 of the 15 butterfly families in the world. 2% of the flowering plants. 4% of mammals on earth.


Home to Endangered Species Like Royal Bengal Tiger, one horned rhino, snow-leopard, Red panda, Brown bear, Assamese macaque, Gangetic dolphin, wolf, wild elephant, giant horn-bill, swamp deer, wild yak, Tibetan antelope, Black buck, four horned antelope, Musk deer, Pigmy hog, Haspid hare, Pangolin, Gharial, Indian bustard, Saras crane, Impean pheasant, Python, etc.


A Living Cultural Heritage
Nepal's heritage is alive and dynamic. Shamanism, Pan-animism & witchcraft are still practiced in remote regions. Temples, shrines, monuments and monasteries are extremely active with devotees burning butter-lamps, singing hymns, chiming temple-bells and playing drums. The only country that has living goddess "Kumari"