Facts About Nepal Everyone Should Know

Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a Sovereign statelocated in South Asia. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 27 million,Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by area and the 41st most populous country. It is a landlocked country located along the Himalayas and bordered to the north by China and to the south, east, and west by India.

Here are some interesting and amazing facts about Nepal:

• Nepal is home to the only living Goddess, Kumari:

 Kumari, or “living goddesses,” are pre-pubescent girls considered to be the earthly manifestations of divine female energy, incarnations of the goddess known as Taleju, the Nepalese name for Durga. Selected when they are child, they live in temples, are carried in chariots during festivals and are worshipped by thousands of Hindus and Buddhists. They retire upon puberty. Kumari  is known as “Virgin” in Nepali.

• Only country without a rectangular Flag:

Nepal is the only country without a rectangular flag and also Nepal’s flag is the most mathematical flag. The crimson red flag with blue border has moon and sun printed on it. The blue border symbolizes peace, the crimson red is Nepal’s national colour, and it indicates the bravary and victory. The two triangles symbolize the Himalaya Mountains. The moon represents the serenity of the Nepalese people and the shade and cool weather in the Himalayas. The sun stands for the fierce tenacity of the Nepalese people and the heat of the lower parts of Nepal.

• The Birth Place of Lord Buddha:

Light of Asia, the founder of Buddism Religion, Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal. He was the prince of Kaplivastu ,son of King Sudhodan and Queen Maya Devi and was given the name Siddhartha Gautam before he achieved Nirvana and became Buddha.

• World’s highest peak Mount Everest (8848m) is in Nepal:

Nepal is the home to the world’s highest peak, Mount. Everest. It is known as Sagarmatha in Nepali which means “Forehead to the Sky” in Tibetan languages Everest is known as Chomolungma meaning the “Goddess Mother of Snows”.

• World’s longest Freefall is in Nepal, Bhote Koshi Bungy Jump:

Jump from the remarkable steel, suspension bridge located above the Bhote Kosi River near the Nepal / Tibet border. Built specifically for bungee, jumpers get a view of the Himalayas as they drop 500 feet (160 meters) in the air. This jump is known to be one of the longest free falls in the world. The base is located approximately three hours drive from Kathmandu

• 10 UNESCO- World Heritage Sites:

Nepal has 10 of items in the World Heritage Sites among which 8 are Cultural Heritage Sites and 2 are Natural Heritage Sites. They are: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Lumbini, Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, Changu Narayan, Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park.

• Nepal was once Known as ” The Weed Capital”:

Weed is said to be illegal and is not available for buy and sale, we can find the growth of weeds everywhere mostly in the rural area, around the roads, ditches, farm lands, mountainside and everywhere. Who would not love to fire a pot and get along with the fine environment that Nepal beholds. During the festival of “Shiva Ratri” you will find people smoking weed specially in the famous shiva temple “Pashupatinath”. It is believed that Hindu God Shiva use to smoke Weed. Hence people consume weed in the form of Prasad, Scared food taken after offering to Gods and Goddess in Hindu Religion.

• 8 of 14 highest peaks in the world are in Nepal and more than 1900 peaks above 5500m:

Nepal is the Himalayan nation. There are 326 peaks opened for mountaineering expeditions in Nepal including 13 peaks above 8000m (some of the 13 peaks are part of the same massif as their main peak). So, there are surely more than enough in Nepal for any mountain enthusiastic from around the world and it’s clear why Nepal is known as the Himalayan Kingdom.

• Nepal Has Over 80 Ethnic Groups And 123 Languages:

There are 102 castes and ethnic groups. There are three main racial types: Aryan, Mongoloid and mixed. Aryan: Bahun, Chhetri, Damai, Kami etc. Mongoloid consists of Tamang, Gurung, Magar,Sherpa, Thakali and Kirat (e.g., Rai, Limbu,Sunuwar) and mixed solely consists of Newar people. “Unity in Diversity”- this slogan is a perfect match for the Nepalese people.

• Home to many endangered birds and animal:

There are 27 species of endangered mammals, 9 species of endangered  birds and 3 species of endangered reptiles which are given legal protection under 1973 National Parks and Wildlife Act. Following are the list of endangered species of Nepal. Some of endangered mammals are: Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Bengal Tiger, One horned Rhinoceros, Himalayan Musk Deer, Dolphin, Asiatic Elephant, Four homed Antelope, Grey Wolf, Assamese Monkey, Leopard Cat, Brown Bear etc. Some of endangered birds are: Great Horabill, Impeyan Pheasant (National Bird of Nepal), Bengal Florican, Crimson-honied Pheasant, Lesser Florican, Black Stork, White Stork, Cheer Pheasant and Saurus Crane. The endangered reptiles are: Gharial, GoldenMonitor Lizard and Asiatic Rock Python.

• The highest lake on the earth (Tilicho 4800 meters):

Tilicho lake (4,919 m) is the highest lakes in the world. It is located in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas in Manag district of  Nepal. Tilicho Lake is the destination of one of the most popular side hikes of the Annapurna Circuit trek. The hike takes additional 3-4 days. No camping is required, as new lodges have been built between Manang and the lake. Final approach to the lake is done in a day hike from the lodge at Tilicho Base Camp.

• The deepest valley on earth (Arun valley) :

Arun Valley is located in Eastern Nepal. It is usually a non touristic area but we can see significant views of Mt. Everest, Makalu, and hundreds of other mountains just on your eye. It is the highest valley in the world located at as height of 3458m.

• The tallest grassland in the world in Chitwan:

In the Nepal Terai, which include the tallest grasslands in the world, characteristic species include Saccharum spontaneum, Saccharum benghalesis, Phragmitis kharka, Arundo donax, Narenga porphyracoma, Themeda villosa, Themeda arundinacea, and Erianthus ravennae and shorter species such as Imperata cylindrica, Andropogon spp., and Aristida ascensionis (Shrestha and Joshi 1997). The grasses are fire and flood resistant and spread rapidly under favorable conditions.The Terai-Duar Savanna and Grasslands [IM0701] eco-region sits at the base of the Himalayas, the world’s youngest and tallest mountain range. About 25 km wide, this narrow lowland ecoregion is a continuation of the Gangetic Plain. The ecoregion stretches from southern Nepal’s Terai, Bhabar, and Dun Valleys eastward to Banke and covers the Dang and Deokhuri Valleys along the Rapti River.

• Nepal Gurkhas Have Been Part Of The British Army Since 1816:

 

“Better to die than be a coward” is the motto of the Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part of the British Army since 1815 when a peace agreement was clinched by the British East India Company after it suffered heavy casualties during an invasion of Nepal.

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