Unknown Nepal – 15 Facts that Will Fascinate You

Nepal is known for its unique culture, beautiful mountain ranges, and the presence of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. However, that’s not all there is to this stunning country.

Nepal is landlocked, lies between two huge landmasses (India and China), and boasts a diverse wildlife and rich history. It’s also the birthplace of Buddha and is full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our Nepal facts will show you how interesting this country really is. Read on to discover amazing Nepal facts you never knew.

Intriguing Nepal Facts You Won’t Be Able to Keep To Yourself

We’ve established what a beautiful country Nepal is. It’s now time to delve into Nepal facts that will amaze you and leave you itching to visit this stunning destination.

1. Nepal Has a Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Nepal is well-known for mountaineering but that’s nothing compared to its rich culture and number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu, boasts seven UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites within a 15 km radius. Because of this, it’s known as the world’s living cultural museum.

In addition to the World Heritage Cultural Sites, Nepal also boasts four UNESCO World Heritage sites.  Visitors won’t be short on places to explore since Nepal is the country with the highest concentration of heritage sites.

2. Nepal Has Broken Many Records

Yes, Nepal has the tallest mountain in the world. However, that’s not the only record it holds. Nepal is also home to one of the world’s deepest lakes, Phoksundo, located in the Shey Phoksundo National Park. This freshwater lake has a record depth of 446.9 feet (136.2 meters).

In addition to this, it has the tallest grasslands in the world, some of which are more than seven meters tall. These are called the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands and can be found at the base of the Himalayas. They cover 20% of the Chitwan National Park in Nepal and are truly a sight to behold. The Kali Gandaki Gorge is also among the deepest in the world, and Kajin Sara Lake is the highest lake in the world.

3. The Nepalese Have Their Own Calendar

Another great Nepal fact is that the country follows a different calendar. The Bikram Sambat calendar is a combination of solar and lunar calendars. Because it’s calculated ahead of the Gregorian calendar, the people of Nepal are said to live in the future. They celebrate their New Year around mid-April. It’s estimated that the Bikram Sambat calendar is 57 years and 8.5 months ahead of the Gregorian calendar.

4. When Is Nepal’s Independence Day?

One of our favorite Nepal facts is that the country doesn’t have an independence day. This is because it was never occupied and has always governed itself. While it was previously a monarchy, it transitioned to a federal democratic republic in 2008.

5. The Legend of the Yeti Thrives in Nepal

The mythical creature called the Yeti or the Abominable Snowman is popular in Nepal. Locally known as “Meh-Teh” or “Jigou” these fantastical creatures have been spotted in the Himalayan mountains. In fact, sightings aren’t just from locals – even famous mountaineers like Sir Edmund Hillary and Reinhold Messner claim to have seen the beast.

6. Nepal Is a Mountaineer’s Paradise

One of the most well-known Nepal facts is that it’s home to Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Everest stands at a jaw-dropping 29,032 feet (8,849 meters).

However, Mount Everest isn’t Nepal’s only high peak. Eight out of ten of the world’s highest mountains are located in Nepal, making it a mountaineer’s paradise. This isn’t all too surprising, considering that a large portion of the Himalayas is located in the country. Some of these sky-high peaks include Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Makalu, Lhotse, and Cho Oyo.

7. Mount Everest Has Several Different Names

While most of the world knows the highest mountain in the world as Mount Everest, it has many other names. Its English name comes from a man named George Everest, a former Surveyor General of India. Prior to this, the British simply called it Peak XV.

However, long before it was called Everest, the awe-inspiring mountain had many other names. The Nepalese call it “Sagarmatha” or “The Forehead of the Sky” while the Tibetans and Sherpas call the mountain “Chomolungma” or “Goddess Mother of the World.”

8. It’s Known as the Amazon of Asia

While not one of the most well-known Nepal facts, this is definitely an impressive one – Nepal is known as the Amazon of Asia. The country boasts over 250 species of flora and fauna and over 870 different species of birds. In addition to this, you can find over 650 species of butterflies in Nepal.

Nepal is also home to 5,980 species of flowering plants, including 6% of rhododendron species and 2% of the world’s orchids. A must-visit Nepalese site is Chitwan National Park, which is home to some of the most endangered species in the world. Prime examples of this include the Royal Bengal Tiger and the one-horned rhinoceros.

9. Nepal Is Incredibly Diverse

An incredible Nepal fact is how diverse its population is. The country is rich in culture and heritage and has over 80 ethnic groups and 123 different languages. Despite so many different languages and various religions, the country remains a peaceful one. In fact, despite domestic wars and a few other skirmishes, the Nepalese people have never shed blood in the name of religion or displayed intolerance.

10. Nepal’s Tourism Industry Is Huge

Tourism is a big part of Nepal’s total revenue. With awe-inspiring mountains and a host of culturally and historically rich sites, Nepal is an excellent tourist destination for thrill-seekers and history buffs alike. A little-known Nepal fact is that tourism is actually the country’s fourth-largest industry by employment with approximately 11.5% of workers for a total of 371, 140 jobs

11. Nepal Has a One-Of-A-Kind Flag

Most countries have quadrilateral flags, but this isn’t true for Nepal. One of the most interesting Nepal facts is the unique shape of the country’s flag. It’s made up of two triangles.

While the triangle on top has an image of the moon, the one on the bottom has that of a sun. Together, they represent two of Nepal’s biggest religions, Buddhism and Hinduism.

Some even say that the triangles represent the Himalayan mountains. A bonus Nepal fact is that while this unique flag came into being in 1962, the design behind it is over 2000 years old!

12. Nepal Is Amazing for Adventure Seekers

Another intriguing Nepal fact is that adventure isn’t limited to mountaineering. There are many other exciting opportunities for thrill-seekers, including bungee jumping, paragliding, kayaking, white-water rafting, mountain biking, and more. If you love adventure and extreme sports, you definitely can’t go wrong with vacationing in Nepal!

13. Say Goodbye to Beef

Cows are the national animal of Nepal. They’re also considered holy, so killing them is banned. A surprising Nepal fact is that killing a cow can actually earn you jail time in the country. It’s best to say goodbye to beef while you’re in Nepal and take advantage of eating other delicious food. We would suggest Momo, a type of dumpling. It’s one of the most popular fast foods in the country.

14. Have Some Daal Bhat Instead

While you can’t have beef, you can always have some traditional Nepalese Daal Bhat. Daal (lentils) and bhat (rice) are Nepalese staples and are often eaten throughout the day. They’re especially popular for lunch and dinner. The lentils are prepared with vegetables and various spices, making them both delicious and nutritious. One of the reasons for the popularity of Daal Bhat is its nutritional value at such a low price.

15. The Buddha Was Born in Nepal

If you’re a Buddhist, going to Nepal can be a spiritual experience. This is because it’s the birthplace of Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini in 623 B.C. In 1997, Lumbini was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It remains one of the most visited places in Nepal.

Video:Facts You Didn’t Know About Nepal | FolkBuzz

Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a South Asian country bordered by gigantic Himalayan mountains on the north and a great flat plain called Terai on the south. Nepal is also a landlocked country enclosed by two big great masses, i.e., India on the east, the west, and the south, and China on the north. The enigmatic country of Nepal boasts diverse ethnicities, a rich culture, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. Nepal is truly one of god’s playgrounds with stunning, majestic mountains, dramatic landscapes, and mesmerizing lakes.

With a wide variety of flora and fauna, Nepal is home to some of the rarest creatures on earth such as the one-horned rhino, Bengal Tiger, Red Panda, and Spiny Babbler, and the rarest wildflowers, Rhododendron (which is also the national flower of the nation).

Summary

Whether you’re looking to scale the world’s tallest mountain, want some adventure, or simply looking for a destination with a rich history, Nepal has it all. Our Nepal facts sought to demonstrate this and show how diverse the country really is. No matter what you’re looking for in a holiday destination, we’re sure these Nepal facts left you wanting to visit the beautiful nation.

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