Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal Nepal a small Himalayan Kingdom, is bounded on the North by the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, the East-South and West by India. There is something here for everyone. Poets, Artist, tourists, river runner, anthropologists, botanist, zoologists, ethnographers and cultural historians, thinkers all alike. Nepal is one of the most beautiful country in Asia. She is very rich in her natural beauty and cultural heritage. The country is basically divided into three geographical regions, the mountain region, Himalayan region and terai region. In the Himalayan region lays, Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world 8848m,l Mt. Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makala, Cho-oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu andAnnapurna are the other peaks, all above 8000m. challenging the sky. Trekkers especially love this immensely diverse land with undulating topography varied climate and mix of people. River rafting in white water and safaris in the jungle are also major attraction for adventure tourists in Nepal. The interior of Nepal with scenic riverbanks, Terraced field, forested ridges, terraced hills ad picturesque hamlets are beyond human imagination. Nature is superbly carried in this holy land gifted with all that a land deserves. Nepal a country of amazing extremes, is the home of the world's highest mountain- Mt. Everest, Lord Buddha, Holy places, (Temple and Stupas) and large variety of plant, birds, and animals are glorious assets of the nation which has contributed a lot to enroll thousand of tourists to visit Nepal. Kathmandu valley, the capital of Nepal, has a traditional history of about five thousand -year. Archaeologically, this valley seems to have been inhabited at least from 1500 BC when the Neolithic civilization began. Kathmandu valley now has seven world heritage cultural sites within a 20km radius. The credit goes to the Mallas. From this time onwards, the Gopals (cow-herders), Mahisapala (the buffalo herders) and Kiratas ruled this valley successively. It was during the Kirati rule in pre-christina Era that Hinduism, with its various schools, and Buddhism arrived in the valley. Thus many Buddhist stupas and Hindu shrines were built in Nepal during this period. From the beginning of Christian Era, the valley was ruled by the Lichhavis. They introduced script, the contemporary caste system, idol worship and raised monuments. The country was named Nepal long before the introduction of the bikram sambat. The Lichhavis, raised and enlarged stupas like that of Bouddhanath, Swayambhunathnath and temples like Changu Narayan, Pashupatinath and Buddhanilkantha (sleeping Vishnu). Chinese travelers who visited Kathmandu valley and Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, in the seventh century have left an interesting account of the then Nepal with great praise to the people and their art. The Lichhavis who explored copper, ore and minted copper coins, had trade of copper utensils and offensive iron weapons such earnings were spent for the artistic beautification of the valley. After the end of 14th century, the Malla Dynasty rose to power. They rearranged the caste system based upon profession. Soon the valley was divided into three different kingdoms like Kathmandu, Patan and Bhadgaon. Nepal minted coins for Tibet and had monopoly business with her. Up to the beginning of this century, the valley was the center of Trans Himalayan trade route. The art of Kathmandu valley reached China and then all the way up to Inner Mongolia via Tibet. From the middle of 18th century it was united by King Prithivi Narayan Shah of Gorkha, 52 miles west of Kathmandu. In the first quarter of the nineteenth century Nepal had a war with British India and she lost it and was forced to sign the treaty of Sugauli in 1816 shaping the present international boundary of Nepal. From 1847 up to 1971, Nepal was ruled by the hereditary Rana Prime Ministers and was completely isolated. No foreigners were allowed to visit this country during this period. In 1951 the Ranas lost their power. The country was opened to all from 1960, and for thirty year. Nepal was ruled by party less panchayat system. The Jana Andolan was successful and the democratic constitution was promulgated on November 9, 1990, which provides for a constitution monarchy with a multi party system. Tourism is the main industry in the service sector. Nepal is a paradise for tourists because of its varied topography, culture and flora and fauna. back top top