Nepal is a Himalayan republic between India and China, home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks including Mount Everest, with a culture deeply intertwined with Hindu and Buddhist tradition.
Geography & landscape
Nepal sits in Southern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 147,181 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Kathmandu, lies near coordinates 28°, 84°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Southern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Nepal.
People & society
The population of Nepal is around 30M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Nepali, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Nepal is structured as a federal parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Kathmandu, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Kathmandu and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Nepal shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Nepal through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Kathmandu, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +977, and clocks are set to the NPT (UTC+5:45) time zone. ISO standards identify Nepal as NP (alpha-2) and NPL (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇳🇵, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Kathmandu | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Southern Asia | — |
| Population | 30M | people |
| Area | 147,181 | km² |
| Currency | Nepalese Rupee (NPR) | — |
| Calling code | +977 | international dialling |
| Time zone | NPT (UTC+5:45) | standard time |
| Government type | Federal parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | NP | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | NPL | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 28 | degrees |
| Longitude | 84 | degrees |
Did you know?
Nepal is home to 8 of the world's 10 highest mountains, including Mount Everest at 8,849 m on the Tibetan border.
