Nepal, the trekker’s paradise, is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.
Did you know Nepal is home to the highest lake on earth, the Tilicho?
There are many interesting facts about Nepal that will shock you.
Well, here are 55 interesting facts about Nepal you probably didn’t know:
1) Kathmandu was once a lake.
2) Nepal is the only country in the world that has a non-rectangular flag.
3) Kathmandu Valley boasts the densest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites- 7 out of 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Nepal.
4) Nepal is among the countries which have low internet speed.
5) Kaligandaki, the deepest gorge in the world, is in Nepal.
6) The world’s tallest grassland is in Terai, Nepal.
7) Chitwan National Park is home to more than 500 of the world’s 1,000 endangered greater one-horned rhinoceroses.
8) Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
9) Nepal has never been colonized. Hence Nepal does not celebrate Independence day.
10) The 70 million-year-old Himalaya mountains range in Nepal separates the Tibetan Plateau from the Indian subcontinent and links 5 different countries: Nepal, Bhutan, India, China, and Pakistan.
11) Nepal is home to eight of fourteen Eight-thousanders in the world: Everest (8,848 meters), Kangchenjunga (8,586 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Makalu (8,485 meters), Cho Oyu (8,188 meters), Dhaulagiri I (8,167 meters), Manaslu (8,163 meters), and Annapurna I (8,091 meters.)
12) Tilicho Lake, at 4,949m, the highest lake on earth is in Nepal.
13) SheyPhoksundo Lake at 3900 m above sea level is the deepest lake in Nepal.
14) The highest valley in the world, the Arun valley, is in Nepal.
15) Nepal boasts 2% of all the flowering plants in the world.
16) Nepal is home to 8% (more than 848 species) of the world’s bird population.
17) Nepal is home to more than 848 species of Butterflies.
18) Nepal is home to some of the endangered animals like the snow leopard, Bengal tiger, red panda, and one-horned rhino.
19) Kumari, the living goddess, is in Nepal.
20) The Elephant polo game was originated in Meghauli, Nepal.
21) Nepal is the second richest country in water resources in the world.
22) Nepal is home to the second-highest concentration of one-horned rhino.
23) Unlike other countries, Nepal prohibits killing cows. In fact, Cow is the national animal of Nepal.
24) Nepal boasts the world’s densest concentration of World Heritage sites.
25) There are 125 Nepalese castes groups in Nepal, speaking as many as 123 languages.
26) More than 3000 Gurkhas are now serving in the British Army.
27) Yeti, the abominable snowmen, are believed to roam in Nepal.
28) Nepal has not won an Olympic Games Medal.
29) Momo is the most popular fast food in Nepal.
30) Hotel Everest View was listed on the Guinness World Record in 2004 as the Highest Placed Hotel in the world.
31) There is no McDonald’s in Nepal
32) Nepal is renowned for having the widest range of elevations in the world.
33) Nepal has over 6000 rivers.
34) Changu Narayan, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest temple in Nepal, dates back to 464 AD.
35) The monarchy in Nepal ended in 2008, and now it is a republic.
36) Nepal is known for being the third-biggest producer of ginger and the world’s biggest mustard seed producer.
37) You should never use the left hand to eat in Nepal- the left hand is considered an unclean hand.
(Here are 10 things you should know before visiting Nepal)
38) On May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
39) Kaligandaki River in Nepal is older than the Himalayas.
40) Nepal boasts two percent of the world’s orchids (more than 360 species.)
41) Nepal is also known as the Amazon of Asia.
42) Dal Bhat is the national dish of Nepal.
43) Nepal serves as an arena for adventure and extreme sport tourism- paragliding, bungee jumping, high altitude marathons, and mountain biking, white-water rafting, kayaking, and ultra-light aircraft ride.
44) Kissing in public is strictly prohibited, you cannot do that here!
45) After Bangladesh and India, Nepal has the largest concentrations of Royal Bengal Tigers.
46) Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu is one of the largest stupas in the world.
47) Annapurna region of Nepal is one of the top ten trekking trails in the world.
48) Lukla Airport is the most dangerous airport in the world.
49) Kami Rita Sherpa holds the record for the highest number of Everest summits- 24 times.
50) Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is the only hunting reserve in Nepal where you can hunt Blue Sheep.
51) Ghandruk was enlisted on 13 of Asia’s most picturesque towns by CNN Travel.
52) According to Lonely Planet, Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the world’s 10 best treks.
53) Nepal has the world record for holding the highest altitude fashion show on land.
54) Chitwan National Park, established in 1973, a UNESCO world heritage site, is the oldest national park in Nepal.
55) One of the many interesting facts about Nepal is that the world’s highest Irish Pub is in Namche Bazaar.