Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
peaks of the Himalayas. The Nepalese have a deep affection for
their mountains. The peaks also serve as a magnet for advenﾭ
turers and mountaineers who are lured by their awesome size
and beauty.
Culturally, few places in the world of comparable size can
match Nepal's diversity. It is a country in which multilingual
and multicultural societies are as diverse as its varied natural
landscapes. More than 40 different ethnic groups exist within
its 56,827 squareﾭmile (147,181 squareﾭkilometer) territory,
and about 70 different languages are spoken. These numbers
become more meaningful when one realizes that Nepal is about
the size of Alabama, or the combined area of Canada's New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Nepal's cultural diversity stems from several ancient migraﾭ
tions into the territory. They include IndoﾭAryans from the
southwest, TibetoﾭBurmans from the north, and Dravidﾭ
ians from the south. The country also is the homeland of
the Siddhartha Gautama (Gautama Buddha), the founder
of Buddhism, one of the world's great religions. This small
and hospitable country has become a popular destination for
people seeking spiritual enlightenment and peace. Of course,
some adventurers also come in search of the elusive Yeti,
the legendary “Abominable Snowman” that is said to prowl
the high mountains.
Geographically, Nepal is situated on the lap of the Himalaﾭ
yas, in southern Asia. It is bound by the Tibetan Autonomous
Region (China) to the north, and by India to the east, south,
and west. The country shares a 746ﾭmile (1,200ﾭkilometer)
boundary with China and 1,119 miles (1,800 kilometers) with
India. Roughly rectangular in shape, Nepal extends about 550
miles (885 kilometers) from east to west and about 120 miles
(193 kilometers) north to south. It is one of the world's landﾭ
locked countries and lacks a water route to the sea.
Despite being relatively small and completely landlocked,
Nepal still has many unique characteristics. Few countries in
