Geography of Nepal

This article describes the geography of Nepal.

Location -
: Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates -
:

Map references -
: Asia

Area -
:* Total: 140,800 km²
:* Land: 136,800 km²
:* Water: 4,000 km²

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 as measured from sea level

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

Land use -
:* Arable land: 20.27%
:* Permanent crops: 0.49%
:* Other: 79.24% (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, 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

References

See also