High mountain scenery, vivid culture and friendly smiling faces have captured the imagination of adventure seekers and travelers from the dawn of time. Nepal is a country of great topographical diversities. The altitude in the country varies from less than 70m above sea level at Kechana Kalan of Jhapa to the world's highest point 8,848m at the summit of Mt. Everest. This variation occurs at a distance of less than 300 kms.
Nepal is divided into three different regions as per altitude variations: Mountain, Hill and Terai. There are three major river systems: Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali which all drain into the Bay of Bengal through the Ganges. Similarly, Nepal is home to little lakes of different sizes at the laps of Himalayas to the lowlands of Terai. Lake Tilicho, the lake in the highest altitude in the world, is also in Nepal.
Nepali is the national language of Nepal. However, people in urban areas speak and understand English quite well. People in the tourism industry also speak and understand selected international languages like Chinese, Indian, French, Japanese, German, Spanish and others. Apart from these, there are hundreds of local dialects spoken by people from various ethnic groups.
Nepal is a secular state and it respects the practice and existence of different religions within its territory. Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups: the Indo-Aryans and the Mongoloids (the Kirants). The Hindu Temples and Buddhist Shrines are scattered all over the country. Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha - the Herald of Peace. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and people of other religions live together here in perfect harmony.
