Nepal is the landlocked country surrounded by India and China located in South Asia with an area of 1,47,181 km2. Nepal is divided into 7 states and 77 districts and 744 local units including 4 metropolises, 13 sub-metropolises, 246 municipal councils and 481 villages. It has a population of 26.4 million and is the 93rd largest country by area. Bordering China in the north and India in the south, east, and west, it is the largest sovereign Himalayan state.
The Himalayas Mountains are shared between five countries in descending order: Nepal, Bhutan, India, China and Pakistan. The mountainous north of Nepal has eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest. Mount Everest being the peak of the world at the height of 8,848 m, there are others like the Tilicho lake- the highest lake on earth at the height of 4800m, Shey Phoksundo Lake- the deepest lake of 145m at the height of 3600m, the deepest gorge of Kaligandaki of 1200m and the highest valley on Earth- the Arun Valley.
In terms of biodiversity, Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world. It is rightfully called Amazon of Asia due to the unique variety of species found in here. Nepal has more than 900 species of birds, which accounts to 8.9% of the total species of birds all around the world. It has 4.2 % of the world’s butterfly species and 3.96 percent of the world’s mammal species. Nepal holds two percent of the world’s orchids (more than 360 species), six percent of the world’s rhododendron species (national flower) and 250 species endemic to Nepal.
Nepal is the only country with a non-rectangular flag. Nepal’s flag is maroon with two triangular shapes stacked on one another with blue border. Nepal does not have an independent day because Nepal was never colonized. Nepal is also the oldest country in South Asia.
Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha. Siddhartha Gautam (Buddha) was born in Kapilvastu, Lumbini which lies in Nepal. Lumbini is a sacred place for Buddhists.
Not a single drop of blood has ever been shed in Nepal in the name of religious and ethnic riot. Nepal has over 80 ethnic groups and 123 Languages.