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Geography of Nepal

Location:Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates:28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 147,181 sq km
land: 143,181 sq km
water: 4,000 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Arkansas
Land boundaries:total: 2,926 km
border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Terrain:Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m
Natural resources:quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use:arable land: 16.07%
permanent crops: 0.85%
other: 83.08% (2005)
Irrigated land:11,700 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
Environment - current issues:deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively

Nepal Quickstats

  • Population: 28,901,790 (July 2007 est.)
  • Area: 147,181 sq km
  • Density: 184 /km² (56th)
  • GDP (total): $41.6 billion (87th)
  • GDP (per capita): $1,675 (153rd)
  • Literacy: 48.6%

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  • Currency: Rupee (NRs.)
  • Dial code: +977

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