General Facts of Nepal

Nepal is a constitutional monarchy in South Asia. Locked within the rugged ranges of the Himalayas, Nepal is bounded by the Tibet region of China on the North and India on the South, East, and West. The Kingdom of Bhutan lies in its East whereas the Autonomous region of Tibet in Northeast. Katmandu is the capital and the largest city.

Nepal has a vivid relief and geographical features. The Northern, Northwestern and the Northeastern areas of Nepal are mountainous while the Central, South and the Southwestern Nepal is Plain that is also known as Tarai region. Due to this vivid relief, there is vast difference in the average temperature of these areas.

While the Northwestern Nepal is moderately cool in summers, Northern and Northeastern Nepal has extreme cold in summers too. The lower Himalayan regions have an average summer temperature of around 22-25 C where as the upper Himalayan region has an average temperature of around 2-3 C. In the winters, the temperature in these areas dips way below the freezing point. Central and southern Nepal experiences simmering temperature in summers. At places, it can go as high as 44 Celsius. The nights are relatively cooler. The wind from the mountains cools down the night temperature significantly. In the winters, even these areas witness abnormal dip in temperature and at places in Tarai, it dips as low as 2-3 Celsius. Nepal witnesses both monsoon and torrential rainfall.

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world. With almost 45% of its population living below the poverty line, Nepal has to do much catching before being termed a Developing Economy. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for 38% of GDP.

Nepal is counted among one of the underdeveloped countries of the world. No wonder there are so many diseases that are prevalent in Nepal. Apart from the major diseases and infections that are common in South-Asia, Nepal has a wagon-full of other disease too. You will need a day or two to acclimatize in Nepal. Till then, you will need to avoid street-foods and drinks. Actually most of the diseases prevalent in Nepal are either water or air borne. Some of the most common diseases of concern in Nepal are Malaria, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis, Tuberculosis, Dysentery, Hepatitis A and HIV/AIDS.

Local transportation is not a problem in Nepal. Different modes of transportation are available according to budget. You have the buses, rickshaws, tempos, taxis and motorcycles.

Payment in hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Nepal has modern banking facilities and some of the International Banks have their own offices in Kathmandu. Almost all foreign currencies along with credit cards such as American Express, Visa and Master Card, etc. are accepted in Nepal at major hotels, shops and restaurants.

Like most other countries in the South-Asian regions, Nepal too has a 230-volt, 50-hertz cycle power supply. The home power supply is 230 volt across Nepal. All the local electrical equipments are meant to run on 230 volt, 50 hertz supply.