Geography
Nepal's geography is incredibly diverse, ranging from a low of 59 meters above sea level to the tallest mountain range in the on Earth, the Himalayas, home of Mt. Everest (8,848 metres, 29,029 ft). To the west, east, and south, Nepal boarders India; while across the Himalayas to the north lies Tibet and China. From south to north, Nepal can be broken up into 3 horizontal parts, teri, middle hill, and himal regions.
The teri region is flat and tropical, very hot and humid in the summer months but cold and damp in the winter with heavy clouds backing up against the middle hills and blocking out the sun. Up until the late 1950s the teri was relatively uninhabited due to the high risk of malaria. A successful eradication program has encouraged a major migration of Nepalis from the middle hills down to the teri, tantalized by better transportation, access to health and education, and more easily farmed flat land.
The hilly region is carved out by snow melt rivers from the Himalayas and is traditionally where most of the Nepali population resides. The only reason this region is translated as "hills" not "mountains" is because it is compared to the snow peaked Himalayas which lie directly north. The "hills" are mountainous and majestic, villages in this area are easily spotted by their surrounding green rice terraces, while uninhabited land is covered by thick jungle in the lower hills or pine forest in the higher hills.
The most northern section of Nepal is the Himalayan Range, boasting 8 of the planet's 14 >8,000 meter peaks, and of course Mt. Everest (sagarmatha). Although it is this region that Nepal is most famous for, it is (understandably so) much less populated than the rest of the country. You are much more likely to find sub-cultures of Tibetan-Buddhist origin, although many of the regions most sacred temples are important pilgrimage spots for both Hindus and Buddhists. Beside the snowy peaks, is a high desert terrain where stone-built villages spot the flat land and colorful ranchers can be seen herding their yaks and mountain goats.
The teri region is flat and tropical, very hot and humid in the summer months but cold and damp in the winter with heavy clouds backing up against the middle hills and blocking out the sun. Up until the late 1950s the teri was relatively uninhabited due to the high risk of malaria. A successful eradication program has encouraged a major migration of Nepalis from the middle hills down to the teri, tantalized by better transportation, access to health and education, and more easily farmed flat land.
The hilly region is carved out by snow melt rivers from the Himalayas and is traditionally where most of the Nepali population resides. The only reason this region is translated as "hills" not "mountains" is because it is compared to the snow peaked Himalayas which lie directly north. The "hills" are mountainous and majestic, villages in this area are easily spotted by their surrounding green rice terraces, while uninhabited land is covered by thick jungle in the lower hills or pine forest in the higher hills.
The most northern section of Nepal is the Himalayan Range, boasting 8 of the planet's 14 >8,000 meter peaks, and of course Mt. Everest (sagarmatha). Although it is this region that Nepal is most famous for, it is (understandably so) much less populated than the rest of the country. You are much more likely to find sub-cultures of Tibetan-Buddhist origin, although many of the regions most sacred temples are important pilgrimage spots for both Hindus and Buddhists. Beside the snowy peaks, is a high desert terrain where stone-built villages spot the flat land and colorful ranchers can be seen herding their yaks and mountain goats.
Culture
With a size of approximately the same as the state of Florida, Nepal (147,181 sq km) boasts a tremendous diversity in both its culture and landscape. There are over 120 different languages spoken among the population of around 30 million. The official language, Nepalese, is taught in schools and spoken my most of the population, however nearly every small village will have its own dialect or entirely different language.
Although Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the Himalayan wind is one of the more iconic images of Nepal, the country is actually mostly Hindu, roughly 80%, and only 10% Buddhist, with 10% other (Christianity, Muslim, etc.). Migrating from the Tibetan Plateau, the majority of those who live in the iconic Himalayan region are Tibetan-Buddhist, while the middle hills and southern Teri are mostly Hindu.
Nepal is a patriarchal society, where as the male's primary role is to be the "bread (or rice) winner" of the home, while women take care of the children, livestock, cooking and other house chores. As more and more families step away from their traditional lifestyle as farmers, more men are going abroad looking for work; main destinations being India and Malaysia followed by a few Middle Eastern countries. To put it in perspective, 31% of Nepal's GDP comes from remittances sent from abroad.
Being a mostly a Hindu state, the caste system in Nepal is very prevalent. Although government laws have banned discrimination by one's caste, regulation, especially in rural areas is , is limited at best. However with more and more Nepali people going abroad to work and foreigners visiting the country, social change is visible.
Nepali people love to sing and dance. Often shy at first, they will pop into song and dance during celebrations, before, during and after group meetings, or just for "time pass." Don't be surprised if you get pulled into a dance circle, but don't worry, any effort (no matter how bad) is very much appreciated.
Nepali Cuisine
For those familiar with northern Indian cuisine, Nepali food can be described as the tamer sibling. Many of the same spices (cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic, ginger, onion) are used, but to a much lesser extent. Many Nepalis don't prefer northern indian food, explaining that it uses, "too many spices."
A typical day would start with a sweet black or milk tea in the morning, perhaps with some tea-biscutts; followed by a late morning meal (usually 9am-11am) of rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curry, accompanied by a sour pickle or fresh chutney. This combination is referred to as "dal bhat" or "lentils rice," although all the other sides are usually implied. In midday to late afternoon a snack may be eaten, in a village one might find roasted soy beans/corn, flat bread with pickles, or just left overs from the prior meal. In cities, snacks take more of an influence from their northern and southern neighbors; with momos (steamed dumplings) and chowmian (stir fried noodles) originating from China; and samosas, curried chick peas, and chatpati (sour, spicy rice puff mix) coming from India. In the evening, after the day's work is finished, dinner will be prepared, usually of stark similarity of the first meal - rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, pickle - however the type and cooking style of the ingredients may differ. For example the lentil soup (dal) may vary from orange lentils, black lentils, mung beans, chickpeas, or even a soup made from the traditional Nepali gundruk (fermented and dried mustard greens).
Hindu culture has many many holidays and festivals where food is a major component. The most popular and uniquely Nepali specialty is called sel roti, a deep fried rice flour bread in the shape of a thing doughnut.
Food is almost always prepared by females of the house hold, grandmother, mother, sister, or daughter-in-law and the matriarch will usually serve the family or guests their food before they have eaten themselves.
At first glance, Nepali cuisine seems very monotonous, which it is... however on deeper analysis and appreciation, one will find the food and eating-culture of Nepal extraordinarily complex and varied. Prided on freshness, salty, spicy and sour notes Nepali cuisine and the iconic dal bhat has become a comfort food for not only the Nepali people but for visitors of Nepal as well. While cruising the streets of Kathmandu or Pokhara, one is sure to find clothing stalls with t-shirts saying "dal bhat power, 24 hour!"
Click here to read more about my adventures in Nepali gastronomy
Although Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the Himalayan wind is one of the more iconic images of Nepal, the country is actually mostly Hindu, roughly 80%, and only 10% Buddhist, with 10% other (Christianity, Muslim, etc.). Migrating from the Tibetan Plateau, the majority of those who live in the iconic Himalayan region are Tibetan-Buddhist, while the middle hills and southern Teri are mostly Hindu.
Nepal is a patriarchal society, where as the male's primary role is to be the "bread (or rice) winner" of the home, while women take care of the children, livestock, cooking and other house chores. As more and more families step away from their traditional lifestyle as farmers, more men are going abroad looking for work; main destinations being India and Malaysia followed by a few Middle Eastern countries. To put it in perspective, 31% of Nepal's GDP comes from remittances sent from abroad.
Being a mostly a Hindu state, the caste system in Nepal is very prevalent. Although government laws have banned discrimination by one's caste, regulation, especially in rural areas is , is limited at best. However with more and more Nepali people going abroad to work and foreigners visiting the country, social change is visible.
Nepali people love to sing and dance. Often shy at first, they will pop into song and dance during celebrations, before, during and after group meetings, or just for "time pass." Don't be surprised if you get pulled into a dance circle, but don't worry, any effort (no matter how bad) is very much appreciated.
Nepali Cuisine
For those familiar with northern Indian cuisine, Nepali food can be described as the tamer sibling. Many of the same spices (cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic, ginger, onion) are used, but to a much lesser extent. Many Nepalis don't prefer northern indian food, explaining that it uses, "too many spices."
A typical day would start with a sweet black or milk tea in the morning, perhaps with some tea-biscutts; followed by a late morning meal (usually 9am-11am) of rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curry, accompanied by a sour pickle or fresh chutney. This combination is referred to as "dal bhat" or "lentils rice," although all the other sides are usually implied. In midday to late afternoon a snack may be eaten, in a village one might find roasted soy beans/corn, flat bread with pickles, or just left overs from the prior meal. In cities, snacks take more of an influence from their northern and southern neighbors; with momos (steamed dumplings) and chowmian (stir fried noodles) originating from China; and samosas, curried chick peas, and chatpati (sour, spicy rice puff mix) coming from India. In the evening, after the day's work is finished, dinner will be prepared, usually of stark similarity of the first meal - rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, pickle - however the type and cooking style of the ingredients may differ. For example the lentil soup (dal) may vary from orange lentils, black lentils, mung beans, chickpeas, or even a soup made from the traditional Nepali gundruk (fermented and dried mustard greens).
Hindu culture has many many holidays and festivals where food is a major component. The most popular and uniquely Nepali specialty is called sel roti, a deep fried rice flour bread in the shape of a thing doughnut.
Food is almost always prepared by females of the house hold, grandmother, mother, sister, or daughter-in-law and the matriarch will usually serve the family or guests their food before they have eaten themselves.
At first glance, Nepali cuisine seems very monotonous, which it is... however on deeper analysis and appreciation, one will find the food and eating-culture of Nepal extraordinarily complex and varied. Prided on freshness, salty, spicy and sour notes Nepali cuisine and the iconic dal bhat has become a comfort food for not only the Nepali people but for visitors of Nepal as well. While cruising the streets of Kathmandu or Pokhara, one is sure to find clothing stalls with t-shirts saying "dal bhat power, 24 hour!"
Click here to read more about my adventures in Nepali gastronomy
Hand-made Singing bowls from Nepal.
Want a piece of Nepal in your home? Need some good vibrations in your life?
ImInOm.com is selling genuine, hand-made singing bowls (also called "om" bowls) from Nepal.
For more information visit their website at ImInOm.com
ImInOm.com is selling genuine, hand-made singing bowls (also called "om" bowls) from Nepal.
For more information visit their website at ImInOm.com
- In Nepal, the formal greeting is "Namaste" which translates as "I salute to the god in you." Due to the severity of it's meaning it is not common for locals to say namaste in passing or to initiate conversation but is reserved for more substantial or formal encounters. However, it is still acceptable and maybe even encouraged for foreigners "over-use" the greeting. Namaste.
- Nepal is the only country which does not have a rectangular flag. The Nepal flag is composed of two triangles.
- Nepal is the second most water rich country compared to landmass in the world; Brazil is the first.
- Although thought to be a developing country, Nepal is actually 56 years and 8 months ahead of those countries following the English Calendar.... hahaha. The Nepali New Year is celebrated in mid-April.
- Technically, the national food of Nepal is dindo (millet/wheat/corn flour cooked with water until a paste is formed); however, these days it is not as common as dal bhat (rice and lentils).
- There is a famous saying in Sanskrit, "Atithi devo bhava," it means "Guests are Gods." In Nepal it is not just a saying, but a way of life. Guests in a Nepali's home, and to their country are treated with the utmost respect and gratitude.
- In Hindu culture, cows are a sacred animal. Killing of cows in Nepal is strictly prohibited, thus it is normal to see abandoned cows roaming the city streets. Cows are also the country's national animal.
- The national flower is a rhododendron.