Natural Environment

Flora and Fauna
This drastic change in height, and climate, creates the biggest concentration of animal and plant species in the world. There are about 800 bird species and exotic mammals such as the royal Bengal tiger, snow leopards, as well as rhinoceros, elephants, bears, deer, monkeys and jackals. With overgrowing population densities, many of these animals are now confined in National Parks, such as Chitwan.

Geography and Environment
Nepal is topographically divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the north, the hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills, and the Terai to the south. All this from 60 meters above sea level to the highest peak in the world: Mount Everest at 8848 meters. The fertile hill region provides support for the farming peasants of Nepal.

Topographic Map

The Himalayas
The Himalayan range makes up the northern border of the country and represents 16% of the total land area of Nepal. Peaks like Mt. Everest (8.848 m), Kanchenjunga (8.598 m), and Dhaulagiri (8137 m) are found here and sparse vegetation is found up to 4.500 m. Some of Nepal's most beautiful animal and plant life are also found here. Although rare, the snow leopard and danphe bird are much talked about sights among visitors. The people in this region produce and sell cheese besides working as porters and guides. Many also trade with Tibet and travel across the border to sell their goods.

The Hills
This region covers 65% of the total land area of the country. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is located here. Elevations range from 500 to 3.000 m above sea level. During summer the temperature reaches an average of 32 degrees Celsius. Winters are cold, temperature reaching - 1 degree Celsius sometimes. Areas in the eastern hills receive more rainfall because of the monsoon clouds which come from the south-east. The rivers in the west which do not receive much rainfall are dependent upon the melted snow that flow down the Himalaya. Wild animals to be found here are the spotted leopard, barking deer, and Himalayan black bear. The hilly region is also popular for different kinds of birds. Over four hundred species of birds are found here. The people in this region have gained from the growth in the tourism industry. The people here work as trekking guides and porters and also sell garments and carpets to add to their income.

The Terai
The Terai covers 17% of the total land area of Nepal. It provides excellent farming land and the average elevation of flatlands is 100 to 300 m above sea-level. Sub-tropical forest areas, marshes, and wildlife which include the Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhino, and the garial crocodile are found here. After the eradication of malaria in the 1960s, many people migrated to the Terai in search of farming land. Today, about 48% of the country's population occupies this region. Flat farmlands and the region's flexible topography have given rise to many industries. The main industrial towns are Biratnagar, Butwal, Bhairawa, Birgunj, and Janakpur. Calcutta, a metropolitan city in India is the closest sea-port. It lies 1,000 kilometers away from Birgunj.