Introduction and Information of Nepal

Nepal is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People’s Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. With an area of 147,181 square kilometers (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the world’s 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country.Kathmandu is the capital of nation and a treasure house of ancient art and culture. The population is 27 (2011).

The Garland of white snowcapped Himalaya in the North, calm blue Indian Ocean in the South, Burmese and Sulaiman arcs in the east and west respectively, flourishing the culture since the dawn of Civilisation through the elixir of Ganga-Brahmaputra-Indus water and encompassing six sovereign states (Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan , Bangladesh, Sri Lankaand Maldives) from the countries of South Asia. Geologically major part lies on the edge of Indian plate and minor part of the northern region on Euro-asian plate.

The Mechi river makes the eastern border between Darjeeling district of west Bengal of India and Nepal, while the Mahakali river (Sarda) is the western border between Garhwal of India and Nepal the southern border lies on northern edge of Indo-Gangetic plain i.e about 20 to 40 km south from the edge of the hill range.

Geometrically the country has roughly a rectangular outline located between Latitude 26°22′ and 30°27;’ and longitude between 80°4′ and 88° 12′, with average east-west axis is 885 km and north south 193 km. The total area of the country is 147181 sq km (83% of hill and 17% of the flat terrain of Terai).

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from sub-tropical to arctic. The mountainous north has eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest called Sagarmatha in Nepali. It contains more than 240 peaks over 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level.The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 93 languages and dialects. Nepaloffers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth.Nepal is the most beautiful and stunning Himalayan country in the world. Though small in size, it is known in the world as a nation of color and contrasts-a hidden Shangri-La of nature, culture and adventure. In the countryside the way of life is still traditional, nature is at its best, high mountains and lush valleys are ideal places for trekking and mountaineering, flora and fauna invites a nature lover for a rendezvous with them.Nepal and Himalayas-the two names go side by side. Nepal, in political maps, is one of the  smallest countries of the world  but has the amazingly diverse geography, landscapes, culture and traditions. Nepal, situated in the lapse of might Himalayas, is regarded as Dev Bhumi the land of gods and world’s two major religions Hinduism and Buddhism co-exist in perfect religious tolerance. Nepal is rich with traditions of art and culture.

By some measures, Hinduism is practised by a larger majority of people in Nepal than in any other nation. Buddhism though a minority faith in the country, is linked historically with Nepal. Many Nepali do not distinguish between Hinduism and Buddhism and follow both religious traditions.

A monarchy throughout most of its history, Nepal was ruled by the Shah Dynasty of kings from 1768, when Prithvi Narayan Shah unified its many small kingdoms. However, a decade-long Civil War by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)  and several weeks of mass protests by all major political parties led to the 12 point agreement of November 22, 2005. The ensuing elections for the constituent assembly on May 28, 2008 overwhelmingly favored the abdicationof the Nepali monarch Gyanendra Shah and the establishment of a federal multiparty representative democratic republic. The first President of Nepal , Ram Baran Yadav was sworn in on July 23, 2008.

From linguistic and cultural point of view, the Mongolians from north and Indo Aryan from south since pre – historic times have come to form a racial and cultural unison and harmony. Nepal is of course, the h,ome of fierce Gurkhas- Magars, Gurungs, Newars, Rais, Rais and other small groups. They though speak their own language and commemorate their own feasts and fiestas, also unitedly do celebrate the national carnivals at their best. Similarly, from religious point of view, Nepal is the sacred birthplace of Buddha “The prophet of peace and non-violence”.”. So, Buddhism has flourished. And, the Hinduism does have an overwhelming faith on the people. The other religions prevailing are – Christianity, Muslims and Nepal is an agro-based country. Approximately 90% people entirely depend on agriculture. It is carried mainly in the Terai and plain valleys. The Terai produces rice, wheat, sugarcane, fruit oil-seeds etc. Similarly, animal husbandry is a prime occupation in the Himalayan realm, since the high peaks are snowcapped and the hills are forested. Goats, sheep and yaks are reared on the pasturelands. However some educated people are employed in other sectors viz-administration, business, teaching and so on. Now literary rate has gone up to nearly 50%. Therefore, mushrooming numbers of schools and colleges are set up to cater to the need of this modern era.

Nepal has been made famous for its tourism, trekking, hiking, camping, mountain biking, national wildlife parks, jungle safaris, river rafting, sport fishing, and its many beautiful temples and places of worship.

Regional AND FEDERAL DEVELOPMENT of Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country situated in South Asia. lt has an area of l,47,181 sqkm. It is bordered by China in the north and India in the east, west and south. On the basis of landform, Nepal is divided into three geographical regions. They are :

1. Mountain Region
2. Hilly Region
3. Terai Region

There is a significant variation in terms of resources and development amongst the regions. The land of Terai is plain and fertile, so cultivation of various crops and other economic activities can be easily developed in this region. Most of the districts of the Terai region are connected to the cities and India by roadways. But, construction of infrastructures like transportation, irrigation, etc is difficult and expensive in Hilly and Mountain region due to difficult topography. On the other side, Terai region has easy access to India so that import and export of raw material and manufactured goods is easy. Therefore, industry and trade can be easily developed in the Terai. But, due to inadequate transportation and other facilities development of industry and commercial farming is not easy and smooth in Hilly and Mountain regions.

The geographical diversity and unequal distribution of resources in the country have become major causes of unequal development. This situation has also caused the uneven population distribution and migration of people from Hill and Mountain to the Terai and to the cities from village areas. This sort of regional disparity in Nepal is a great problem.

With a view to maintain balanced development in all parts of the country, the concept of regional development commenced in Nepal along with the rule of late king Birendra. This concept has been implemented by the creation of development regions. So, Nepal was divided into four development regions in 2029 BS. Later, in the year 2037 BS, one more development region, Far-Western Development Region was added including Seti and Mahakali. If you have questions about When was Nepal divided into development regions, then this is answer. Thus, Nepal has five development regions with their regional headquarters. These regional headquarters conduct the administrative and developmental works of their respective development regions.

Main Cities of Nepal

The other main cities include Pokhara, Biratnagar, Lalitpur (Patan), Bhaktapur, Birendranagar, Bharatpur, Siddhartanagar (Bhairahawa), Birgunj, Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Hetauda, Dharan and Mahendranaga

As of 20 September 2015 Nepal is divided into 7 provinces. They are defined by schedule 4 of the new constitution, by grouping together the existing districts. Two districts however are split in two parts ending up in two different provinces .The five development regions of Nepal are (from east to west):Before new constitution, Nepal was divided into five development regions (Nepali: विकास क्षेत्र), 14 administrative zones (Nepali:अञ्चल) and 75 districts (Nepali: जिल्ला). The 14 administrative zones are grouped into five development regions. Each district is headed by a Chief District Officer (CDO) responsible for maintaining law and order and coordinating the work of field agencies of the various government ministries.

Development Regions of Nepal

No.	English name	Nepali name	Headquarters	Population	Area (km²)
1	Eastern Development Region	पुर्वाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र	Dhankuta	5,811,555	28,456
2	Central Development Region	मध्यमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र	Kathmandu	9,656,985	27,410
3	Western Development Region	पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र	Pokhara	4,926,765	29,398
4	Mid-Western Development Region	मध्य पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र	Birendranagar	3,546,682	42,378
5	Far-Western Development Region	सुदुर पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र	Dipayal	2,552,517	19,539

King Birendra divided the entire Kingdom in 4 different regions in 2029 BS (1972). These regions were as belows:

1.Eastern Development Region,

2.Central Development Region,

3.Western Development Region,

4.Far-Western Development region.

  There are 14 zones and 75 districts.They are:-

Zones and District	Headquarter
1) MECHI ZONE	1) ILLAM
1. Taplejung	1. Phungling
2. Panchthar	2. Fidim
3. Illam	3. Illam
4. Jhapa	4. Chandragadi
2) KOSHI ZONE	2) BIRATNAGAR
5.Snkhuwa Sabha	5.Khandbari
6.Terathum	6. Terathum
7. Dhankuta	7. Dhankuta
8. Bhojpur	8.Bhojpur
9. Morang	9.Biratnagar
10. Sunsari	10. Inaruwa
3) SAGARMATH ZONE	3) RAJBIRAJ
11. Solukhumbu	11. Solu Sallari
12. Okhaldhunga	12. Okhaldhunga
13. Khotang	13. Diktel
14. Udaypur	14. Gaighat
15. Saprtari	15. Rajbiraj
16. Siraha	16. Siraha
4) JANAKPUR ZONE	4) JANAKPUR DHAM
17. Dolakha	17. Charikot
18. Ramechhap	18. Ramechhap
19. Sindhuli	19. Sindhuli Madi
20. Dhanusa	20. Janakpur
21.Mahottari	21. Jaleswar
22. Sarlahi	22. Malangwa
5) BAGMATI ZONE	5) KATHMANDU
23. Rasuwa	23. Dhunche
24. Dhading	24. Dhading
25. Nuwakot	25. Bidur
26. Sindhupalchok	26. Chautara
27. Kavrepalanchok	27. Dhulikhel
28. Kathmandu	28. Kathmandu
29. Bhaktapur	29. Bhaktapur
30. Lalitpur	30. Patan
6) NARAYANI ZONE	6) HETAUDA
31. Chitwan	31. Bhaktapur
32. Makwanpur	32. Hetauda
33. Parsa	33. Birgunj
34. bara	34. Kalaiya
35. Rautahat	35. Gaur
7) GANDAKI ZONE	7) POKHARA
36. Gorkha	36. Gorkha
37. Tanahun	37. Damauli
38. Manang	38. Chame
39. Lamjung	39. Beshi Shahar
40. Kaski	40. pokhara
41. Syangja	41. Syangja
8) DHAULAGIRI ZONE	8) BAGLUNG
42. Parbat	42. Kushma Bazar
43. Myagdi	43. Beni Bazar
44. Mustang	44. Jomsom
45. Baglung	45. Baglung
9) LUMBINI ZONE	9) BUTWAL
46. Gulmi	46. Tamghas
47. Arghakhanchi	47. Sandhikharka
48. Palpa	48. Tansen
49. Nawalparasi	49. Parasi
50. Rupendehi	50. Bhairahawa
51. Kapilbastu	51. Taulihawa
10) RAPTI ZONEQ	10) TULSIPUR
52. Rukum	52. Musikot
53. Rolpa	53. Libang
54. Salyan	54. Salyan Khalanga
55. Piuthan	55. Piuthan Khalanga
56. Dang	56. Ghorahi
11) Bheri Zone	11) Nepalgunj
57. Dailekh	57. Dailekh
58. Jajarkot	58. Jajarkot
59. Surkhet	59. Birendranagar
60. Banke	60. Nepalgunj
61. Bardiya	61. Gulariya
12) KARNALI ZONE	12) JUMLA
62. Dolpa	62. Dunai
63. Jumla	63. Jumla
64. Humla	64. Simikot
65. Kalikot	65. Manma
66. Mugu	66. Gumgadi
13) SETI ZONE	13) DHANGADI
67. bhajang	67. Chainpur
68. Bajura	68. Martadi
69. Doti	69. Silgadi
70. Achham	70. Mangalsen
71. Kailali	71. Dhangadi
14) MAHAKALI ZONE	14) MAHENDRANAGAR
72. Darchula	72. Darchula
73. Baitadi	73. Baitadi
74. Dadeldhura	74. Dadeldhura
75. Kanchanpur	75. Mahaendranagar

  Why was nepal divided in to 5 development region 14 zones and 75 district?

1. To run the administration efficiently.
2. To decentralize the power and function of the country.
3. For the proportionate development of the country.
4. To fulfill the demands of the people of the country.
5. For the proper utilization of the available local resources.
6. To stop internal migration.
7. To encourage people’s participation for sustainable development.
8. To end socio economic disparities, thereby, ending socio-economic disparities.
9. For the proportionate representation of different people of different regions.

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