Geography:

Nepal extends about 885 km from east to west and up to 241 km from north to south, covering an area of 147,818 square kilometers, as Swiss and Austria together.

Closed in between India and China it divides itself into 4 climatic and geographic zones: Terai, Siwaliks, Mahabharat Lekhs and Pahar, the high Himalaya.

The Terai, downland in the south of Nepal is part of the Ganga plains, once densely forested with subtropical climate. More than 450 birds are found here, and Tiger, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant, Gharial, Rhinos, are the most famous animals. The jungles are covered mainly with Sal trees and Elephant grass.

The inflow of immigrants from other (hilly) parts in the last 30 years and the simultaneously growth of the population has reduced the jungles. More than 10 Million Nepali are settled in the Terai.

But here we can see also the tectonic work of the great earth plates, in fact here the Indian subcontinent "crashes with the asiatic plate, creating all other following zones and many earthquakes.

Flooded every year by the rivers during monsoon, the Terai is highly fertile. Beside of this, many industries are settled here.

Climate & Seasons:

Nepal has four main seasons: winter, spring, summer and harvest.
Winter starts from early December through Jannuary. In jannuary, the winter monsoon lasts about two weeks, then even in Kathmandu the nights get cold.

The spring follows, but only until end of March, as dry season melting slowly with summer, hot and in may wait for the monsoon.
In June the real monsoon comes in and the rain let become Nepal green and tropical. End of august to mid of september the monsoon ends and the harvest comes in. arriving December, the winter arrives again.

Medium temperatures of Kathmandu (aprox. 1.300m/4264 feet): 

Historical Places:

Gorkha:
The old kingdom of the present Shah dynasty is a picturesque natural hill resort with the Gorkha Durbarand the Temple of Gorakhnath and Kali atop the hill. The famous pilgrimage spot, manakamana, lies southeast from Gorkha.

Hanuman Dhoka (Basantapur) Durbar:
This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla king of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar Square protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site is the social religious and urban focal point of the city.There are also three museums inside the palace buildings.

Patan Durbar:
Like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting melange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the formal royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life, and house a museum containing objects. One remarkable monument here is a 17th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna, built entirely of stone.

Swayambhunath:
Watches over the valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. The huge stupa is one of the holiest Buddhists sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake. Swayambhu is also known as Samhengu and is listed as a World Heritage site. The National museum and the Museum of Natural History are situated at the foot of the hill.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the spatial layout here. The 15th-centiry Palace of 55 Windows, situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The entrance to the palace, the Golden Gate, is a masterpiece in reposes art. In front of the palace building is a medley of various designs. There is a fee of RS. 300 (US$5) to enter the Durbar Square.

Pashupatinath: Pashupatinath is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines, and temples dedicated to other deities in the complex. A temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in AD 879. However, the present temple was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1697. A gold plated roof, silver doors, and woodcarvings of the finest quality decorate the pagoda construction. Guheswari Temple, restored in AD 1653, represents the female "force". It is dedicated to Satidevi, Shiva's first wife, who gave up her life in the flames of her father's fire ritual.

A circuit of the Pashupati area takes visitors past a sixth?century statue of the Buddha, an eighth century statue of Brahma the creator and numerous other temples. Some other places to visit are Rajrajeswari Temple, built in 1407, Kailas with lingas more than 1,400 years old, Gorakhnath temple, and the courtyard of Biswarup. There are rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering puja worship to Shiva, tile Lord of Destruction.

The Bagmati River flows close by and the Arya Ghat cremation grounds are here.
We strongly advise photographers not to take photos of cremations and of bereaved families. Sadhus, sages who follow the lifestyle of Shiva, may be seen covered in ashes and loin cloths. They ask for money in case you want to take their photos. The main Pashupatinath courtyard may be entered by those of Hindu faith only. There is a fee of RS.50 to enter the Durbar Square. 

Boudhanath :
Bouddhanath is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty?six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many of them decided to live around Bouddhanath. They established many gompas, and the "Little Tibet" of Nepal was born. This "Little Tibet" is still the best place in the Valley to observe Tibetan lifestyle. Monks walk about in maroon robes. Tibetans walk with prayer wheels in their hands, and the rituals of prostration are presented to the Buddha as worshippers circumambulate the stupa on their hands and knees, bowing down to their lord. Many people believe that Bouddhanath was constructed in the fifth century, but definite proof is lacking. The stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage who is venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus. One legend has it that a woman requested a Valley king for the donation of ground required to build a stupa. She said she needed land covered by one buffalo's skin and her wish was granted by the King. She cut a buffalo skin into thin strips and circled off a fairly large clearing. The king had no choice but to give her the land.

The Boudha area is a visual feast. Colorful thangkas, Tibetan jewellery, hand woven carpets, masks, and khukuri knives are sold in the surrounding stalls. Smaller stupas are located at the base. Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and restaurants surround Bouddhanath. Conveniently situated restaurants with roof top patios provide good food and excellent views of Bouddhanath There is a fee of RS.50 to enter the Durbar Square. 

The People:

The Nepali are subdivided into two main streams: the indoarian races and the tibeto-burmese races. All together there are more than 30 different tribes and also languages, unified by the languages the Gorkhali or Nepali.

The indoarian races come mainly from India and live in the Terai and Mahabarath Leks. Hinduism and shamanism (Jhankri) are there faiths, mixed among them and in the valley of Kathmandu also visible. The tibeto-burmese races are mainly living in the north, in the high Himalayas, mostly belonging to the buddhist faith.

Religion:

In Nepal, religions are very important, main religions are:Hinduism, Bhuddism, Shamanism. The religions are interconnected, most Nepalis are Hindu, but the High Himalayas are premanently Buddhist.

The valley of Kathmandu is too a stronghold of Buddhism becoming, once because the Newars are believers of both faiths, once because Tibetan refugees are settling in the valley.

Shamanism is interwoven with both faiths and you can find "Jankhri" all over in Nepal. The Jankhri play a important role in the Neplese society. Other religions like Islam or Christianity are nearly not present in the country. Nepals Official religion is the Hinduism.

Economy, Society & Politics:

The Nepalese economy is based upon 90 % on agriculture. The industry produces mostly beverages, cigarettes and processed food. Clothing is connected to agriculture.

The main exports are carpets, handicrafts and tourism plays an important role for Nepal. So the social structure is still based somehow in the old days, supported by the Hindu cast system, which divides all tribes into own categories.

Of course, mostly Bhamins have economical and political power, only few other have bigger influence, as in the tourism, Manangi, Sherpa does. Politically Nepal is not stable, as democracy is shortly introduced, so goverments change often, which is a dangerous problem for the long term future dvelopment of the country. Nevertheless, for tourists this means in no way a danger, as the Nepalese do not extend their quarrels to "outsiders".