Nepal Geography 1997

Location Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates 28 00 N, 84 00 E

Map references Asia

Area
total: 140,800 sq km
land: 136,800 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 subtropicalsummers and mild winters in south

Terrain Terai 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 8,848 m

Natural resources quartz, water, timber, hydropower potential, scenic beauty, small depositsof lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Land use
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 15%
forests and woodland: 42%
other : 26% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land 8,500 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine dependingon the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Environment - current issues the almost total dependence on wood for fuel and cutting down treesto expand agricultural land without replanting has resulted in widespreaddeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution (use of contaminated water presentshuman health risks)

Environment - international agreements
party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, HazardousWastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eightof world's 10 highest peaks

NOTE: The information regarding Nepal on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Nepal Geography 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Nepal Geography 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.