Nepal at a Glance

Nepal is a landlocked country nestled between two powerful nations — India to the south, east, and west, and China (Tibet) to the north. Despite its small size, Nepal boasts incredible geographical diversity.

From the flat Terai plains in the south (60m elevation) to the lush middle hills to the towering Himalayan peaks in the north, Nepal's geography changes dramatically within a short distance. Nepal is home to 8 of the world's 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, including Mount Everest (8,848m).

The country shares an open border with India, making land travel between the two countries straightforward. The only international airport is Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu.

Nepal is a multicultural and multilingual nation with over 125 ethnic groups speaking more than 100 languages. The national language is Nepali, but you'll find variety in language, culture, and lifestyle as you travel through different regions.

Nepal was the world's only Hindu kingdom until 2007, when it became a secular state. The population is predominantly Hindu (81%), with significant Buddhist (9%), Muslim (4%), and Christian (1.4%) communities. Nepal is considered the birthplace of Lord Buddha (Lumbini), and the influence of Buddhism is particularly strong in the mountainous regions.

People of different religions and cultures live together in harmony — a hallmark of Nepali society.