Location Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates 28 00 N, 84 00 E

Map references Asia

Area
total: 140,800 sq km
water: 4,000 sq km
land: 136,800 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 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 8,850 m (1999 est.)

Natural resources quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Land use
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 1%
other: 79% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land 11,350 sq km (1998 est.)

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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest - the world's tallest - on the border with China

NOTE: The information regarding Nepal on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Nepal Geography 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Nepal Geography 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.