NEPAL 1994

Basic facts More information about Nepal Svensk version
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If you look for unusual culture- and natureexperiences Nepal is the country to visit! Her you will find holy men, wild animals, the highest mountains in the world and approximately 35 different ethnic groups, among the most known are sherpas and ghurkas.

In Nepal, you find 8 of the highest peaks in the world, and around 75 % of the surface is situated higher than 3000 mas! The name of the country comes from the words Ne and pala. Ne is the name of a divinity and pala means preservation in sanskrit. The name of the mountainchain connected with Nepal, Himalaya, is coming from the words him (snow) and alaya (home) consequently, "The Home of Snow". Nepal is offering the best possible high altitude trekking environment!

I visited Nepal for the first time autumn 1994 after getting the idea to trekk in the Himalayas, during one in the swedish mountains.

My first impression of the capital Kathmandu was chaotic and chocking. The environment in the capital was very far away from the tranquillity and calmness I expected to meet. But I liked the city very much!

After some excursions in the Kathmandu-valley I took the bus to the city of Pokhara, where my 12 days long trekk to "The Annapurna Sanctuary" started. 


I trekked from Suikhet Phedi, via Landrung, Chommrong and Machhapuchhare Base Camp to the Annapurna Base Camp, 4200 mas. A fantastic and beautiful trekk among peaks and villages. One of the most beautiful sigths was the sunrise from Poon Hill, where you are able to see the sunlight flow over several peaks more than 8000 meters high!

After the trekk I continued to the Royal Chitwan National Park, where I was lucky to see several of the rare animals living there. I saw rhinoceros, gavials, a kind of crocodile, deers, boars and a lot of different birds as peacooks, siberian ducks, different kingfishers etc.

I finished my nepalese visit with some more excursions in the Kathmandu-valley, the old capital Bhaktapur and the oldest buddhistcity in the world - Patan.

As the trekks in Nepal mainly are done on high altitudes they sometimes are rather tough and dramatic, but very rewarding. In the villages you meet different mountainpeople and the views with the high, snowcovered peaks are fantastic.

There is a big difference compared with the trekks I am used to do in the swedish mountains!


I will take this opportunity to thank our trekking agency Sports & Nature in Kathmandu, Mrs Nandini Lahe-Thapa and Mr C B Gurung, as well as our guide and porter Ganesh and Buddy, who all supported us to arrange and fullfill the trekk and made it to a lifetime memory.

"Visit Nepal - whenever!"

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Holy man at Pashuputinath.
Kathmandu

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The Bodnath.
Kathmandu

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Swayumbunath.
Kathmandu

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Young porter

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Poon Hill

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Chommrong

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Heavy load.
Bakthapur

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Fishsales.
Kathmandu 

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Machhapuchhare

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Ranger.
Chitwan Nat. Park

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The Golden Temple.
Bakthapur

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Chitwan

Basic facts:
Conventional longform:  
Kingdom of Nepal
Area, total: 140 800 sq km
Population: 24 702 119
Population / sq km: 158 pers.
Coastline: 0 km
Capital / Population:  
Kathmandu / 500 000
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point:  
Kanchan Kalan 70 m
Highest point: 
Mount Everest 8 848 m
Largest rivers: 
Karnali, Narayani, Kosi
Largest lakes:
Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, copper, cobalt and other
Age structure; % of pop.:
 0 - 14 years 41 %
15 - 64 years 56 %
65 years and over: 3 %
Pop. growth rate: 2.34 %
Birth rate / 1 000 pop.: 34 births
Death rate / 1 000 pop.: 10 deaths
Infant mortility rate: 76 deaths 
(deaths / 1 000 live births)
Life expectancy at birth:
 Male / Female  58 / 57 years
Ethnic groups: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Rais, Sherpas, Ghorkas, Rais and other
Religions: Hindu 90 %, Buddhist 
5 %, Muslim 3 %, other 2 %
Languages: Nepali (official), 20 other languages divided into different dialects
Literacy; pop. over 15 years:
 Male / Female: 41 % / 14 %
Independence: 1768
National holiday: December 28, Birthday of the King		 GNP/capita: 203 USD
Population below poverty line: 42 %
Inflation rate; consumer prices: 
11.8 %
Industr. prod. growth rate: 14.7 %
Exports; commodities: Carpets, clothing, leather goods, grain, jute
Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NR)
1 NR = 100 paisa
Telephones: 237 000
Railways: 101 km
Highways: 13 223 km
Airports; total: 45
Military manpover; availability:
 males age 15 - 49: 6 108 424

Source: CIA Factbook 2000

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Map of Nepal

The flag of  Nepal is the only non rectangular flag in the world. The currrent layout was descided in 1962 when the faces of the sun and the moon were removed. The points of the flag are symbolizing the peaks of the Himalayas. The sun and the moon reflects the hope that the country will remain as long as the heavenly bodies.
The red colour in the flag comes from the rhododendronflower and is the nationalcolour of Nepal. 

In the rear of the crest you can see a rivervalley and the peaks of the Himalayas. The flora and fauna are represented by a white cow, a golden pheasant and rhododendrondflowers.  The ghurkasoldiers, one of them in a british uniform, is symbolizing the braveness of the nepaleses in combat. In the crest you can also find the symbols for the sun and moon as well as the footprints of Bhudda. He was born in Nepal. The crown is representing the royal family.
The inscription at the bottom says:
"The nation is more important than heaven".

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For more information about Nepal click one of the links below or visit my  linkcollection.
Lonely Planet or World Factbook		 Todays weather in KATHMANDU

Please send your comments to rainer.stalvik@swipnet.se
This page is updated 2000-11-05
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