Himalayas. Where is Nepal?

Nepal is a state recognized as the highest mountain on the planet. Where is Nepal? What geographic features does Nepal have? Which city is the capital of the state? The answers to these questions can be found in the text of the article.

Geographical features

Nepal is located on the territory of the highest mountain system in the world - the Himalayas. The country borders on the north with China, more precisely, with its autonomous republic of Tibet, along the border there are eight-thousanders, including Everest. It is the highest point of the world (8848 meters). In general, in Nepal there are 8 eight-thousanders, and on the planet there are only 14. The southern border of the country concerns another great state - India. Thus, Nepal on the map of the world seems to be bordered by the most densely populated countries of the world.

Incredible elevations are another feature of this area. So, the difference from Everest to the lowest point is about 8800 meters. Almost the entire territory of the country is in the Himalayas, only one seventh is free of mountains.

Climatic zones

Where Nepal is located, the territory is divided into three climatic zones. The first is Terai, that is, mountains no more than 450 meters high. There is a tropical hot climate. This zone is on the border with India and is the most populous. Here agriculture and cattle breeding are developed. This zone provides food for the whole country. The second climatic zone is more hilly, where the subtropical climate prevails. Here is the capital of the state - Kathmandu. The height of the mountains is up to 2000 meters. The third zone is the highlands, which cover half of the country. The climate here is different: from the temperate zone to the ice zone. This is a favorite place for climbers from all over the world. This is used by the authorities of the country, which collect fees for the opportunity to conquer the highest points of the world.

The state in the Himalayas and its capital

About 70% of Nepalese people work in the agricultural sector. This is the only sphere, besides tourism, which brings money to the treasury. Nepalese work on pastures and terraces for growing crops. In recent years, the production of high-quality fabrics - pashmina and cashmere began to develop. They are exported to Europe. The depths of the earth in the place where Nepal is located are empty: neither gas, nor oil, nor other resources are extracted. Therefore, the urban part of the population accounts for less than 15%. From the major cities it is possible to single out the capital - Kathmandu, as well as Pokhara, Patan, Biratnagar. All of them are located in the second climatic zone - with mountains of medium altitude. The city of Kathmandu is the modern capital of the country. It is the cultural and educational center of Nepal. Patan headed the state until the end of the 18th century. Today the city is called Lalitpur, which means "the city of beauty". It is located near Kathmandu, they are delineated by the river Bagmati, sacred for the Nepalese. The cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are united by UNESCO into one object, protected as the Kathmandu Valley. This is an area with unique monuments of history, culture and architecture. The main areas of the cities have preserved the appearance of the Middle Ages: graceful buildings, narrow streets, majestic plazas.

sights

In a small mountainous state there are many sights and holy places. The main architectural monuments are the palace squares of the three oldest cities of Nepal, which were discussed above. The area of each city is called Durbar. In the capital, this area is a complex of historical buildings, palaces, Hindu and Buddhist temples in the central part of the city.

On the outskirts of Kathmandu is one of the main shrines of Buddhists - Swayambhunath. This is a temple complex, in the center of which is the majestic Strypa Swayambhunath. It is surrounded by Tibetan monasteries and a school. Within the complex there are many monkeys that are fed by pilgrims and tourists. Not far from the capital is the famous Buddhist in the world Stupa Bodnath. This structure includes three terraces in the form of a cross, a stupa in the form of a hemisphere, a tower. The building symbolizes all four elements.

One of the most ancient temples of Nepal is Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, on both sides of Bagmati. It is considered the main temple of Lord Shiva in the world. Thus, many historical monuments are also significant religious centers.

Population

The country of Nepal on the map of ethnoses and peoples of the world is concentrated between the two most populated countries of the world: India and China. About 31 million people live in Nepal. Ethnic composition is heterogeneous. About half the population is Nepalese. Distributed by ethnic groups such as Bakhuna and Chhetri. Many representatives nevari, Magar, Tharu and others. The official language is Nepali.

The leading religion of Nepal is Hinduism - about 80% of the inhabitants. Many profess Buddhism. There are religious Hindu and Buddhist centers in the country.

Tourism

An important tourist industry in the place where Nepal is located is mountaineering. Every year climbers come from all over the world to conquer at least one eight-thousandths. There are eight of them. Annapurna is the smallest Nepalese eight-thousandth. He was first conquered in 1950 by French mountaineers. He is considered one of the most dangerous giants in the world.

Very popular in Nepal is hiking in not very high mountains. They are called trekking. A lot of national parks have been created in the country. So, the track near Annapurna, in the reserve, is the most popular. Organized campaigns at the foot of Mount Everest.

Flight over the Himalayas on a paraglider or in a balloon is common. Fans of cycling conquer the mountains on their bikes. Nepal provides its visitors with a lot of options for active and cultural recreation.