Nepal Geography

Nestled in Southern Asia, between the giants of China and India, Nepal is a land of striking geographical diversity. With a total area of 147,181 sq km, this landlocked nation is slightly larger than New York State. It is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, including the towering peaks of the Himalayas, home to Mount Everest, the world's highest point at 8,849 meters above sea level. The terrain transitions from the flat river plains of the Tarai in the south to the rugged central hills and the majestic Himalayas in the north. The climate varies significantly from the cool summers and harsh winters of the northern regions to the subtropical summers and mild winters in the south. Notably, Nepal boasts extensive natural resources, including water, timber, and hydropower potential, enhancing its natural beauty and ecological significance. Its strategic location and geographical features make Nepal a fascinating subject for those interested in the interplay of culture and nature.

Area

land

143,351 sq km

water

3,830 sq km

total

147,181 sq km

Climate

experiences cool summers and harsh winters in the northern region, transitioning to subtropical summers and mild winters in the southern area

Terrain

Tarai, or the flat river plain of the Ganges, located in the south; the central hilly region characterized by the rugged Himalayas in the north

Land use

other

27.7% (2023 est.)

forest

43.5% (2023 est.)

agricultural land

26.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 12.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 12.5% (2023 est.)

Location

Southern Asia, situated between China and India

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

lowest point

Kanchan Kalan 70 m

highest point

Mount Everest, the highest peak in Asia and the tallest point on Earth above sea level, at 8,849 meters

mean elevation

2,565 m

Irrigated land

12,090 sq km (2022)

Major aquifers

Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin

Map references

Asia

Land boundaries

total

3,159 km

border countries

China 1,389 km; India 1,770 km

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

intense thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; droughts and famines may occur depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Geography - note

landlocked; strategically positioned between China and India; home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga—the tallest and third-tallest mountains in the world—located on the borders with China and India, respectively

Natural resources

quartz, water, timber, hydropower, natural beauty, small quantities of lignite, copper, cobalt, and iron ore

Area - comparative

slightly larger in area than New York State

Geographic coordinates

28 00 N, 84 00 E

Population distribution

the majority of the population is almost evenly split between a concentration in the southern Tarai plains and the central hilly area; the overall population density is low

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Indian Ocean drainage

Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km)

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