Located along with the highest points on Earth, Nepal has become one of the most notable countries containing long lines of Asian heritage. A history of culture has been developed in this country as a result of the unique land and animals that live here. The world’s largest mountain range, the Himalayas, provides some of the most impressive natural sightseeing in Nepal that is unseen anywhere else in the world. The nature of this country has reflected in Nepalese civilization and culture.
Nepal is also the birthplace of some of the Eastern World’s leading religious practices, making the country a very spiritual place. Many people travel here to find spiritual enlightenment among the thousands of kilometers of natural beauty. Nepal shares a border with two of the World’s most populated countries, China and India. However, Nepal’s population is much lower than in these two countries. There are very few large-scale cities located here. Many towns and villages are spread around the wide-open spaces of Nepal.
Nepal Facts
1. The World’s Most Practiced Religions Have Roots in Nepal
One of the most important parts of Nepal’s culture is religion. Religious practices play an important part in each citizen and have influenced their neighboring countries as well. A fun fact about Nepal is that it is said to be the birthplace of Buddha, who is the founder of Buddhism. The sacred words and actions of Buddha have become a testament to millions of people around the world. The ancient religion held so dearly to many people is especially important in Nepal due to this. Hinduism and Buddhism are the two most common religions in this country, similar to other Asian countries.
2. Cows Are the Most Sacred Animals in This Country
Due to the rich religious culture in Nepal, many practices influence every-day life for Nepalese people. The Hindu religion states that cows are some of the most protected and sacred animals. This means that they cannot be killed or eaten, but, farmers can still use the milk. As the cows grow older and cannot produce milk any longer, they are set free and are meant to be taken care of by the community, a fun fact about Nepal. The cows in Nepal live long lives, and will only die of natural causes. Religious practices state that cows will not be used as food, so Nepalese find their source of meat and protein from other animals and plants.
3. Nepal’s Electricity is Generated from Renewable Sources
Almost all of the electricity that is used in Nepal is created from hydropower. Large dams and hydro-plants located in the high-grounds of this country provide energy. It is said that hydropower is not very efficient and is not a reliable source of energy. Many parts of Nepal may experience times of no electricity due to unreliable sourcing of electricity. While this may be a large inconvenience, hydropower is very friendly to the environment. This lies along some of the religious practices and ties to nature that runs deep within Nepal’s people.
4. This Country Preserves Some of the Most Endangered Animals
Nepal’s connection with nature provides a great service to some of the rarest animals in the world, an interesting Nepal fact. Endangered reptiles and mammals are kept safe and healthy in one of Nepal’s national parks. This animal reserve is a popular location for tourists to visit the home of the most endangered species. Scientists and researchers also use this national park to observe these animals in their natural habitat. It is important to take precautions in Nepal because many large predators roam the lands of this country.
5. The Country’s Capital is Home to Some of Asia’s First Peoples
In the City of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, there is evidence of human activity dated thousands of years ago. The current location of Kathmandu was once one of the largest lakes in Nepal. This was a primary resource for the earliest civilizations in Asia. The large lake was a source of water and food for the ancient peoples. The lake at Kathmandu has since dried up and became the site of the capital city. It has developed through thousands of years to become a modern token of Nepal, while still paying homage to its historical roots.
6. Nepal Has Never Been Ruled by a Foreign Power
Unlike the massive neighboring countries, this country has never experienced influence from another nation, an interesting Nepal fact. The long-standing Nepali government has held domain over the land and its people with assistance from China. There has never been foreign intervention or colonization that influenced Nepal, so cultural practices in the country are relative only to native and ancient practices in the land.
7. The Himalaya Mountains Are a symbol of Earth’s History
The natural wonder, known as the Himalaya Mountains, which includes Mount Everest, is one of the longest standing geographic formations on Earth. The mountain range is subject to a wide array of testing and research which has dated part of the land back to 70 million years ago. The modern natural wonder of the Himalayas has been preserved in Nepal and serves as a testament to Earth’s long history with and without humans. While the mountains have a long history in the area, some of the native river systems have been dated back even further in Earth history.
8. Many of the World’s Flowers are Native to Nepal
There is documentation that over 5,500 flowering plants are native to the lands in Nepal. A variety of altitudes and climates in this country allows for plant life to flourish. The variety of flowers rivals only the Amazon Rainforest in South America. The wide variety of flowers have been transported to ecosystems around the world, meaning that variations of flowers found elsewhere are distant relatives to the native species found in Nepal.
Tourism in Nepal has focused on the wonderful natural beauty and existence of a variety of wildlife. Nepal’s government and people work hard to preserve natural life through the cultural links between man and nature.
I hope that this article on Nepal facts was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Country Facts Page!
