Geography & environment — Nepal
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Nepal: Asia
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Asia
- Geographic Coordinates
28 00 N, 84 00 E
- Total Area
56,827 Square Miles 147,181 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
55,348 Square Miles 143,351 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
1,479 Square Miles 3,830 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
1,818 Miles 2,926 Kilometers
- Border Countries
China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km
Physical geography
- Terrain
Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north
- Highest Point
8,850 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Mount Everest 8,850 m
- Lowest Point
70 Meters
- Lowest Point Location
Kanchan Kalan 70 m
- Natural Resources
quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
- Irrigated Land
4,510 Square Miles 11,680 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
Kathmandu’s climate is pleasant. During the fall to winter season (October-March), temperatures range from 30°F to 75°F. This season is characterized by morning fog, sunny days, and cold nights. It may rain occasionally, but Kathmandu has had no snow since 1939. A temperature range from 40°F to 90°F, with intermittent rain, warm days, and usually comfortable nights, marks the spring season (March-May). Near the end of the spring season and before the rainy season begins, dust gathers heavily throughout the Kathmandu Valley, causing a haze that obscures the mountains. The monsoon season begins in June and continues until late September. Temperatures in the rainy season range from 55°F to 90°F, and rainfall is from 30 to 60 inches. Rain showers occur almost daily.
- Terrain
Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north
- Location
Southern Asia, between China and India
- Total Area
56,827 Square Miles 147,181 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives)
contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents)
wildlife conservation
vehicular emissions
- Environment - International Agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation