History:
The nation has always been an independent and sovereign country. The land was scattered into different small kingdoms and fiefdoms until unification in the late 18th century by King Prithivi Narayan Shah of the Shah dynasty. In 1990, the political parties again pressed the King and the government for change. Leftist parties united under a common banner of the United Left Front and joined forces with the Nepali Congress Party to launch strikes and demonstrations in the major cities of Nepal. This "Movement to Restore Democracy" was initially dealt with severely, with more than 50 persons killed by police gunfire and hundreds arrested. In April, the King capitulated. Consequently, he dissolved the Panchayat system, lifted the ban on political parties, and released all political prisoners.
Natural:
All the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 meters are located in the Himalaya or its sister ranges. Of the top 10 of these, a full 8 are in Nepal – including, of course, the highest of all, Mt Everest, or Sagarmatha, as it is known in Nepali. The country is very rich in bio-diversity, with elevations ranging from a mere 60 m above sea level to the highest point on earth, the 8,850-meter summit of Mt Everest. Nepal can offer everything – from the greatest mountain ranges and high-altitude deserts, to thundering rivers, colorful forests of rhododendron, carefully tended steeply terraced hills, to dense lowland jungles teeming with wildlife. Visitors can delight in the 850 species of different birds, including the Spiny Babbler, which is found only in Nepal; the 600 species of butterflies, and the wealth of indigenous plants and flowers.
Geography:
The land is about 147,000 sq. km in area, bordering on China to the north and India to the east, west and south. Measuring 885 km from east to west, and varying in breadth from 145 to 241 km north to south, Nepal offers an amazing range of travel attractions and adventure opportunities.
People:
The land has population of 21.7 million (as per the 2001 census), composed of a multitude of different ethnic groups and sub-groups, who speak over 70 languages and dialects. The two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, co-exist in peaceful harmony.
Entry procedure:
For entry to Nepal, a visa is required of all visitors except Indian nationals. One can get a visa at the nearest Royal Nepalese Embassy or consulate, or at the airport upon arrival. Two passport-sized photographs are necessary. Click here visa fee. Diplomatic missions of Nepal.
Access to Nepal:
Nepal enjoys daily international air connections. The major carriers are Royal Nepal Airlines, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Indian Airlines, Pakistan International airlines, Transavia airlines, Condor airlines, Druk Air, China South-west Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air, and Aeroflot.
Land entry points are the following:
Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, and Mahendranagar along the India–Nepal border; and Kodari and Sher on the China–Nepal border.
