Geography of Nepal
Location: Southern Asia, between China and IndiaGeographic 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 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.), the highest mountain on Earth
Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of 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 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, Marine Dumping, 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
- See also : Nepal
