Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
7
Living in
Nepal Today
Considering its relatively small size, few of the world's coun-
tries can match Nepal for its regional diversity. Physically,
it varies from hot, subtropical lowlands to towering, ice-
capped peaks. Culturally, it offers one of the world's most complex
mosaics of languages, religions, and customs. In this chapter, cities
are emphasized in the context of highlighting Nepal's various regions.
As is true of all regional divisions, those discussed here have been
selected arbitrarily. Sharp regional boundaries rarely exist, whether
physically or culturally. This makes it very difficult to draw regional
“lines” on which everyone can agree.
Nepal's historical record, some of which may be based on myths,
mentions ancient cities. Some, such as Janakpur and Biratnagar, may
be more than 1,000 years oldﾭolder than Kathmandu. Janakpur is
believed to have been the capital of the Mithila Kingdom ruled by
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