Full Country Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Nepali: नेपाल)

Capital: Kathmandu (Nepali: काठमांडौ, Nepal Bhasa: येँ) is the capital and the largest city of Nepal. Kathmandu is regarded as 'City of Temples'. There are 7 world heritage sites within 20 KMS radius, listed in UNESCOThe city stands at an elevation of approximately 1400 m and is inhabited by about 700,000 people. Kathmandu is the most developed city in Nepal.

Geography: Geography of Nepal is uncommonly diverse. Nepal is of roughly trapezoidal shape, 800 kilometres (500 mi) long and 200 kilometres (125 mi) wide, with an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi).

Nepal is commonly divided into three physiographic areas: the Mountain, Hill, Siwalik region and Terai Regions. These ecological belts run east-west and are vertically intersected by Nepal's major, north to south flowing river systems.

Neighboring countries:

1)      India – East, West and South

2)      China – North

Area: 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi).

Population:  The total population of Nepal is 28,676,547 (2005). The Nepalese are descendants of three major migrations from India, Tibet, and North Burma and Yunnan via Assam.

People: Nepali people are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality. Among the earliest inhabitants were the Kirat of east mid-region, Newar of the Kathmandu Valley and aboriginal Tharu in the southern Terai region. The ancestors of the Brahman and Chetri caste groups came from India's present Kumaon, Garhwal and Kashmir regions, while other ethnic groups trace their origins to North Burma and Yunnan and Tibet, e.g. the Gurung and Magar in the west, Rai and Limbu in the east (from Yunnan and north Burma via Assam), and Sherpa and Bhotia in the north (from Tibet).

In the (Southern Part)Terai, a part of the Ganges Basin with 20% of the land, much of the population is physically and culturally similar to the Indo-Aryans of northern India. Indo-Aryan and East Asian looking mixed people live in the hill region. The mountainous highlands are sparsely populated. Kathmandu Valley, in the middle hill region, constitutes a small fraction of the nation's area but is the most densely populated, with almost 5% of the population.

Language: All the languages spoken in Nepal are national languages. Nepali is the official language of Nepal, with almost 60 percent of the population speaking it. This language, which is believed to be language with the closest derivation from Sanskrit, was originally called Khaskura, but became known as Nepali during the 20th century. Nepal's constitution, however, guarantees that, irrespective of what the official language is, all languages spoken in Nepal can be used for official purposes and documentation.

In the capital Kathmandu, Nepal Bhasa (the Newar language) and Nepali are the most widely used languages.

Religion: The main religion of Nepal is Hinduism. Shiva is regarded as the guardian deity of the country. Nepal is home to the largest Shiva temple in the world, the famous Pashupatinath Temple, where Hindus from all over the world come for pilgrimage. According to mythology, Sita Devi of the epic Ramayana was born in the Mithila Kingdom of King Janaka Raja. Buddhism was relatively more common among the Newar. Buddha is said to be a descendant of Sage Angirasa in many Buddhist texts. Scholars like Dr. Eitel connects it to the Rishi Gautama. But, differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been in general very subtle and academic in nature due to the intermingling of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Both share common temples and worship common deities; many of Nepal's Buddhists could also be regarded as Hindus and vice versa. Gurkhas from Nepal are Hindu. Among other natives of Nepal, those most influenced by Hinduism were the Magar, Sunwar, Limbu and Rai. Hindu influence is less prominent among the Gurung, Bhutia, and Thakali groups, who employ Buddhist monks for their religious ceremonies. Most of the festivals in Nepal are Hindu. The Machendrajatra festival, dedicated to Hindu Shaiva Siddha, is celebrated even by Buddhists and it is the Buddhists' main festival. As it is believed that Ne Muni established Nepal, important priests in Nepal are called "Tirthaguru Nemuni".

Government and politics: Nepal has seen rapid political changes during the last two decades. Until 2008, Nepal was a  parliamentary monarchy with the king as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of the government. On December 10, 2007, the interim parliament passed a bill that would make Nepal a Federal Republic. On May 28, 2008, lawmakers in Nepal legally abolished the monarchy and declared the country a republic, ending 239 years of royal rule in the Himalayan nation.

President of Nepal: Dr. Ram Baran Yadav

Vice President: Parmanand Jha

Prime Minister: Madhav Kumar Nepal

Culture: Nepalese culture is diverse, reflecting different ethnic origins of the people. All the communities  are rich in cultural diversity; they celebrate many festivals, well known for their music and dance.

FOOD: A typical Nepalese meal is dal-bhat-tarkari. Other foods like continental, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, and Indian etc are also available on local restaurant and hotels.

National Flag: Nepal's flag is the only national flag in the world that is non-quadrilateral in shape, and one of only two non-rectangular flags in use (the other being the flag of the US state of Ohio). According to its official description, the red in the flag stands for victory in war or courage, and is also color of the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal. Red also stands for aggression. The flag's blue border signifies peace. The curved moon on the flag is a symbol of the peaceful and calm nature of Nepalese, while the sun represents the aggressiveness of Nepalese warriors.

Time:  Five Hours and forty-five minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+5:45 hours GMT).

Climate: Nepal has five climatic zones, broadly corresponding to the altitudes. The tropical and subtropical zones lie below 1,200 metres (3,940 ft), the temperate zone 1,200 to 2,400 metres (3,900–7,875 ft), the cold zone 2,400 to 3,600 metres (7,875–11,800 ft), the subarctic zone 3,600 to 4,400 metres (11,800–14,400 ft), and the Arctic zone above 4,400 metres (14,400 ft).

Seasons: Nepal experiences five seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. The Himalaya blocks cold winds from Central Asia in the winter and forms the northern limit of the monsoon wind patterns. In a land once thickly forested, deforestation is a major problem in all regions, with resulting erosion and degradation of ecosystems.

Electricity: The electric current is 220 volt AC (50 cycles) throughout the country. Many different types of plugs and sockets are in use. Travelers with electric shavers, hair dryers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug adapter kit. The better hotels will make available 110-volt transformers as well.

Tap water : Tap water is clean but drinking from it directly should be avoided. Mineral water or Bottled water is recommended.

Clothing : Light cotton cloths are appropriate for Summer in Hilly and Tarai region whereas, Full sleeves and warm clothes are advised for Himalayan Region. For winter, full sleeves and warm clothes are advised for even Hilly and Tarai region. Himalayan region during winter demands proper trekking and mountaineering gear.   

Weights & measures : The metric system is used throughout Nepal. Numerals on vehicle speedometers, highway markers and speed limits all indicate kilometers.

Business hours : Most commercial concerns in Nepal operate on a six-day week, usually from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Many stores open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Government offices are generally open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. with  1 p.m. to 2 p.m lunch break, Sunday to Friday except on public holidays. In winter, the Government offices closes 1 hour before i.e. at 4 p.m. Most of the Banks are open Sundays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. except on public holidays.

Postal Services : We do have postal service for National and International postal. There are other private postal services also. Major hotels provide basic postal services on their premises. General post offices are usually Sun - Thu 10am -5pm, Fri 10am - 3pm

Mobil and International Roaming Mobile Phone : There are 2 GSM Mobile phone companies (www.ntc.net.np) and (www.spicenepal.com) and two CDMA Phone Companies (www.ntc.net.np) and (www.utlnepal.com). All the telecom companies have advanced features like GPRS and 3G as well.

A Subscriber Identity Module Card (SIM Card) is available for Nepali and foreign customers who are traveling around for work. The SIM Card must be used in conjunction with a Digital GSM mobile phone within the 900-MHz range or a Digital PCN mobile phone within the 1800-MHz range.

Fax and E-mail : All of Nepal's leading hotels offer facsimile (fax) and e-mail services. Cyber cafes can be found in major cities and tourist spots. Numerous private businesses offer such facilities, most often in conjunction with translation services.

Internet Services: Nepal has been expanding its information service for residents and tourists alike through the Internet system. Services are now available at Nepal’s leading hotels and at the many cybercafés that are cropping up in all major tourist destinations and major cities of Nepal.

Telephone services : At present, all telephone numbers (for local calls and long distance calls within the country) have eight digits and Mobile has 10 digits. 

-For Kathmandu calls, 01 is added to the existing numbers i.e. 01 4418 661. 
-The international dialling code for Nepal is + 977. 
-When making international calls to Nepal, add 977 and omit the leading 0. 
-When making international calls from Nepal, first dial country code+area code+telephone number. 

Emergency Telephone Numbers:

-Central Emergency (Police: 100/4226999, Traffic: 103, KTM Police: 4261945, Ambulance (Res Cross): 4228094, Fire: 101) 
-Tourist Police: 1155 
-Nepal Tourism Board: 4256909
-Immigration Bureau : 4223590