Map: Nepal

Population: 23,107,464 (July 1997 est.)  

National capital: Kathmandu(pop.700,000)

Exchange rates: US$1 = 61.0500 Nepalese rupees (October, 1998)

Location: Southern Asia, between China and india

Area - comparative: slightly larger than Arkansas  

Area:
total: 140,800 sq km
land: 136,800 sq km
water: 4,000 sq km
lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)  

Climate: Nepal has a two season year, October-May is the dry season and June to September is the monsoon season.  Kathmandu is located on about the same latitude as Miami,Cairo, and Taipei. there often are cool summers and severe winters in north while experiencing The Himalaya's will be to cold for us to travel past November.

Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and india; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks  

Natural hazards: severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Environment - current issues: the almost total dependence on wood for fuel and cutting down trees to expand agricultural land without replanting has resulted in widespread deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution (use of contaminated water presents human health risks)

Ethnic groups: Newars, indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas  

Religions: Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981) note: only official Hindu state in the world, although no sharp distinction between many Hindu and Buddhist groups