Nepal is believed to have got this name from the word Nepa: a Newari word that meant their kingdom and the unified state is now called Nepal. There’s another belief that a hindu sage named ‘Ne’ used to perform rituals here in the kathmadu Valley and so the name stuck afterwards.
Nepal came into place due to plate tectonics as the Indian subcontinental plate started to push into Eurasian plate during the Paleogene era, which still continues today. This collision produced the Himalayan range beneath which Nepal is located.
According to the historians, numerous dynasties ruled over small kingdoms scattered over, what is now Nepal, namely Kirats, Licchavi, Malla dynasties. Then around 1800 A.D. Late Great King Prithivi Narayan Shah unified all the scattered states, at its greatest extent, Nepal extended from the Tista river in the east, to Kangara, in the west as well as further south into the Terai plains and north of the Himalayas than at present. Disputes with Tibet and the Treaty of Sugauli have constricted the land to its current extent. After Rana regime ended and democracy prevailed in Nepal, numerous political factions have been governing Nepal.
As mentioned, Nepal is divided into three physiographic regions, the southern most lowlands Terai boarders entirely to India where altitude ranges from 700 to 1,000 meters. This contains large fertile land of Nepal. Then follows Hilly region towards the north where altitude ranges from 800 to 4000 meters. The Mountain region located in the great Himalayas is the northernmost part of Nepal, it contains a large number of peaks including Mt. Everest the world’s highest peak and has 8 out of 10 highest mountains of the world.
Since the country has an extended altitude range, any sort of climate can be experienced here, from the tropical hot and humid conditions in Terai to the alpine, snow laden regions in the Mountain. Nepal has diverse ecosystems as well; forested, grass lands, wetland, tundra like places. Large varieties of wild flora and fauna including plenty of endangered Specimens are found here. Nepal has 4 seasonal varieties; summer, autumn, winter and spring. The rainy season monsoon starts during the summer, the time for harvesting to start. Nepal has large river systems originating in the mountains, a number of which are suitable for adventure rafting.
Nepal is the only Hindu country in the world. Most of the citizens follow Hinduism. Numerous temples can be found through out. For an instance, millions of devotes come to visit the Pasupathi Nath temple located on the bank of Bagmati river. Buddhism comes next on the list. Nepal is also renowned for the birthplace of Lord Buddha who started this religion for the purpose to end sufferings from every people. His teachings are followed all over. Most of the festivals occurring have religious significance, which are full of colors, religious sacrifices, warmth and hospitality being spread.
Nepal is also diverse in its culture. Numerous ethnics groups inhabit different parts of Nepal, with their own languages, customs, the way festivals are celebrated, the clothes they wear and foods they eat, although boiled rice, lentil soup and curried vegetables, meat items, together with pickles are common and must for every Nepali. For an instance, the Newari culture prevailing in the Kathmandu valley have its ethnic identity, celebrating their festivals to their fullest. Moreover people live in harmony enjoying, participating and sharing their culture.
Places that are recommended to visit in Nepal are:
· Katmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares
· Pasupatinath Temple
· Soyambhunath
· Pokhara
· Muktinath
· Lumbini
· Numerous wild life reserves: Chitwan N.P., Kosi tappu reserve, Bardiya N.P. etc
· Hiking and Trekking routes: in Annapurna region and around any other hilly regions
· Mountaineering and Rafting
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