Geography, flora and fauna

Geographically, Nepal is a shining pearl between two giant shells, India and China. It encompasses total surface area of 147,181 sq. km. Its geography ranges from 59m elevation from sea level up to 8848m, (Musaharnia of Dhanusa district to Mt. Everest).

The length of this nation is 885 kilometers east-west and its breadth varies from 145-241 kilometers north-south. Different and rare flora, fauna can be found in this diverse geography of Nepal. Sal (Shorea robusta), rhododendron, oaks, pines, Tundra, bamboo bush, Panda wild buffalo, deer, tiger, leopard, Rhinoceros, swamp deer, hog deer, Spinney Babbler, Gangetic dolphin etc are mentionable, which can be observed in different altitude, forests, rivers of Nepal.

To preserve and promote them Nepal government has set up different parks and reserve areas even. This landlocked, autonomous, republic nation is divided into three major geographical categories. From the world's deepest gorge Kali-Gandaki to Highest point on earth The Mt. Everest.

Himalayan Region:  This region covers up 15 percents of total land area of the country. The altitude of this region ranges between 4877 -8848 m. It includes 8 of the highest 14 summits in the world having more than 8000m of height, which includes: Mt. Everest (8848m, 29028ft), Kangchenjunga (8586m, 28169ft), Lhotse (8516m, 27940ft), Makalu (8463m, 27,766ft),  Cho Oyu (8201m, 26906ft), Dhaulagiri (8167m, 26795ft), Manaslu (8163m, 26781ft), Annapurna (8091m, 26545ft). Most are covered with permanent snowfields. This area is sparsely populated, with little vegetation above the tree-line (4,200 meters). It is covered with Alpine pastures and dense fir forests. People in this region are mostly depending on animal husbandry, trekking and mountaineering to eke out their daily life.

Mountain Region: This is the central section of Nepal formed by the Mahabharat chain, a chain of mountains that rises, up to 4877 meter from the lower Churia range. This region accounts for about 68 percent of the total land area of the country. Farming has become an important activity in this area; terraced farms produce rice, corn and wheat. Basically, Oak and rhododendron trees can be found in this region. The Kathmandu valley, a stretch of green in the middle of the Mahabharat is the roof to the Nepal’s capital and other historic cities. It also covers the religious, political cultural and administrative hub of the nation.

Terai Region: The Terai plain is low in elevation, flat, and fertile .This region occupies for about 17 percent of the total land area. It is mainly covered with tall Sal forest (Shorea robusta), pasture lands etc. Here one can see rare birds and mammals which are inaccessible to the other lands of the world. People, in this region are more depend in farming. It is known as the bread basket of Nepal as most of the fertile land falls in this region and foods such as paddy, maize, wheat etc supply in a high range to other places of the country. The internal migration has affected this region. It bears high population density. More people dwell in this region though the small area it covers.