Geography of Nepal

Geography of Nepal

Location and Borders

• Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia
• Borders: India to the east, west, and south; Tibet (China) to the north
• Longitude: 80° 4' to 88° 12' E
• Latitude: 26° 22' to 30° 27' N

Topography

• Nepal is divided into three geographical regions:
  1. Himalayan Region (15% of total area)
     • Home to the highest peaks, including Mount Everest
  2. Hilly Region (68% of total area)
     • Rolling hills, valleys, and rivers
  3. Terai Region (17% of total area)
     • Fertile plains, forests, and grasslands

Climate

• Varies greatly due to altitude and latitude
• Ranges from tropical to arctic climates
• Five climatic zones:
  1. Tropical (below 1,200m)
  2. Subtropical (1,200-2,400m)
  3. Temperate (2,400-3,600m)
  4. Alpine (3,600-4,800m)
  5. Arctic (above 4,800m)

History of Nepal

Ancient Period (3000 BCE - 1200 CE)

• The Kirat Kingdom (700 BCE - 300 CE)
• The Licchavi Period (400 - 750 CE)
• The Thakuri Period (750 - 1200 CE)

Medieval Period (1200 - 1769 CE)

• The Malla Kingdom (1200 - 1769 CE)
• The three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan

Unification and Modern Period (1769 - present)

• The Shah Dynasty (1769 - 2008 CE)
• Unification of Nepal by Prithvi Narayan Shah
• The Rana Rule (1846 - 1951 CE)
• Democracy and Constitutional Monarchy (1951 - present)

Note: The dates mentioned above are approximate and serve as a general guideline for understanding the historical timeline of Nepal.

Geography of Nepal

Location and Borders

• Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia, bordered by India to the east, west, and south, and Tibet (China) to the north
• Nepal's longitude ranges from 80° 4' to 88° 12' E, and its latitude ranges from 26° 22' to 30° 27' N

Topography

• Nepal is divided into three geographical regions, covering 15%, 68%, and 17% of the total area, respectively
• The Himalayan Region is home to the highest peaks, including Mount Everest
• The Hilly Region features rolling hills, valleys, and rivers
• The Terai Region is characterized by fertile plains, forests, and grasslands

Climate

• Nepal's climate varies greatly due to altitude and latitude, ranging from tropical to arctic climates
• The country has five climatic zones, including tropical, subtropical, temperate, alpine, and arctic zones
• The climatic zones are categorized based on altitude: tropical (below 1,200m), subtropical (1,200-2,400m), temperate (2,400-3,600m), alpine (3,600-4,800m), and arctic (above 4,800m)

History of Nepal

Ancient Period (3000 BCE - 1200 CE)

• The Kirat Kingdom ruled from 700 BCE to 300 CE
• The Licchavi Period lasted from 400 to 750 CE
• The Thakuri Period took place from 750 to 1200 CE

Medieval Period (1200 - 1769 CE)

• The Malla Kingdom dominated from 1200 to 1769 CE
• The three kingdoms of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan existed during this period

Unification and Modern Period (1769 - present)

• The Shah Dynasty ruled from 1769 to 2008 CE
• Prithvi Narayan Shah unified Nepal
• The Rana Rule lasted from 1846 to 1951 CE
• Nepal transitioned to democracy and constitutional monarchy from 1951 CE onwards