10 incredible facts about Nepal
Did you know that…?
- Nepal is 147 square kilometers in size and is the 25th largest country in Asia. In comparison, the area of Switzerland is about 41 square kilometers.
2. Eight of the ten highest mountains in the world are located within the borders of Nepal. The highest point on earth is Mount Everest.
3. If you visit Nepal you can climb from 700 meters to a fabulous 8,848 meters, up to Mount Everest. Due to these great differences in altitude, Nepal offers a diverse nature, which stretches from the Terai plains in the south to the famous Himalayan mountains in the north.
4. Due to an injured climber on the Langtang-Lirung massif at 6000 meters above sea level, a team of Air Zermatt travels to Nepal. Through this expedition it became clear that the alpine rescue technique by helicopter also works in the Himalayan mountains up to almost 7000 meters. As a result, Air Zermatt trained Nepalese pilots and mountain rescuers.
5. Surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains is Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, with a population of more than one million. In Kathmandu different cultures, religions and languages meet. When visiting the capital you should plan enough time to explore the ancient temples, monuments and lively markets.
6. Nepal was for a long time the only Hindu kingdom in the world. After the overthrow of the monarchy in 2006, the parliament declared secularism in 2008. This meant the separation of state and religion. The people of Nepal remain deeply attached to their cultural and religious traditions, and religion still plays an important role in their daily lives.
7. The majority of the population speaks Nepali, which is also the national language. There are also over 100 (!) other local languages and dialects. English is mainly spoken in the tourist regions, in business and in education.
8. Nepal is the only country in the world whose flag is not square. According to historians, the flag is characterized by the large amount of mountains in the country. On the flag, there is a reclining crescent moon combined with a star and a twelve-pointed star, which symbolizes the sun. For the inhabitants of Nepal, this means the hope for the long existence of their country, because according to many people the sun and the moon will always be in the sky.
9. The Nepalese distinguish between pure and impure. For example, food and materials that someone else has touched with their mouth are considered unclean. Furthermore, feet and the left hand are considered unclean. Interestingly, cow dung is considered pure, as the cow is a sacred and national animal of Nepal.
10. Nepal is home to many different cultures and natural wonders. Nepal is home to a total of ten UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites. These are cultural, historical or natural protected areas.
We hope we were able to inspire you with these interesting facts about Nepal!
Author: Jacqueline
Pictures: Manu & Canva
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