Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from Sub-tropical to Arctic.

Nepal – occupying only 0.1% of the earth – is home to:

• 2% of all the flowering plants in the world
• 8% of the world's population of birds (more than 848 species)
• 4% of mammals on earth
• 11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species)
• 600 indigenous plant families
• 319 species of exotic orchids

FACTS OF NEPAL

Area :	147,181 sq. kilometers
Geography :	Situated between China in the north and India in the south
Capital :	Katmandu
Population :	22 million
Language :	Nepali is the national language. However, travel-trade people understand and speak English as well.
Currency :	Nepali Rupee (approximately US$ 1 equals Rs. 71.24 )
Political System :	Multi-party democracy with constitutional monarchy
Religion :	Nepal enjoys the distinction of being the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. However, there is a harmonious blending of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Climate :	Nepal has four major seasons, namely, Winter: December-February Spring: March-May Summer: June-August Autumn: September-November

Nepal can be visited the whole year round

Culture:
The diverse geography of Nepal ranging from Himalayas in the north to the southern Terai region renders it home to a wide range of culture. Customs and traditions differ from one part of Nepal to another. A conglomeration lies in capital city Kathmandu where cultures are blending to form a national identity.

Kathmandu Valley has served as the country's cultural metropolis since the unification of Nepal in the eighteenth century by Late King Prithvi Narayan Shah from Gorkha. The Valley comprises cities of Lalitpur, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Some parts of the three cities provide a peek into the ancient world of the Valley.

A prominent factor in a Nepali's everyday life is religion. The natives of Nepal still follow age-old customs of Hindu and Buddhist religious practices. Adding color to the lives of Nepalese are festivals the year round which they celebrate with much pomp and joy. It is said that Nepal has more number of festivals than the days in a year. Food plays an important role in the celebration of these festivals.

Nepal is a patriarchal society. Men usually go out to work while women are homemakers. However in cities, roles can differ. Most Nepalese abide by the caste system in living habits and marriage. Rural Nepal is mostly agrarian, while some aspects of urban life carry glitz and glamour of the ultra-modern world.