About Nepal
Discover Nepal: An Ideal Business Destination
Geographical Diversity of Nepal: From Lowlands to Valleys
Kechana Kalan, the lowest point of the country with an altitude of 60 m, lies in Jhapa district of the eastern Terai.The southern lowland Terai continues to the Bhabar belt covered with the Char Kose Jhadi forests known for rich wildlife. Further north, the Siwalik zone (700 – 1,500 m) and the Mahabharat range (1,500 – 2,700 m) give way to the Duns (valleys), such as Trijuga, Sindhuli, Chitwan, Dang and Surkhet. The Midlands (600 – 3,500 m), north of the Mahabharat range is where the two beautiful valleys of Kathmandu and Pokhara lie covered in terraced rice fields, and surrounded by forested watersheds.
The Himalayan Region: A Land of Peaks
The Himalayas (above 3,000 m) comprises mountains, alpine pastures and temperate forests limited by the tree-line (4,000 m) and snow line (5,500 m). Eight of the 14 eight-thousanders of the world lie in Nepal: Sagarmatha or Mount Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Manaslu (8,163 m) and Annapurna (8,091 m). The inner Himalayan valley (above 3,600 m) such as Mustang and Dolpa are cold deserts sharing topographical characteristics with the Tibetan plateau.Nepal holds the so called “waters towers of South Asia” with its 6,000 rivers which are snow-fed or dependent on rain. The perennial rivers include Mahakali, Karnali, Narayani and Koshi rivers originating in the Himalayas. Medium-sized rivers like Babai, West Rapti, Bagmati, Kamla, Kankai and Mechi originate in the Midlands and Mahabharat range. A large number of seasonal streams, mostly originating in Siwaliks, flow across the Terai.
Exploring Nepal's Natural Wonders: Wetlands and Caves
Of 163 wetlands documented, the nine globally recognized Ramsar sites are: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Beeshazarital (Chitwan), Jagdishpur Reservoir (Kapilvastu) Ghodaghodi Tal (Kailali) in the Terai, and Gokyo (Solukhumbu), Phoksundo (Dolpa), Rara (Mugu) and Mai Pokhari (Ilam) in the mountain region.There are more than 30 natural caves in the country out of which only a few are accessible by road. Maratika Cave (also known as Haleshi) is a pilgrimage site associated with Buddhism and Hinduism. Siddha Cave is near Bimalnagar along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. Pokhara is also known for caves namely Bats’ shed, Batulechar, Gupteswar, Patale Chhango. The numerous caves around Lo Manthang in Mustang include Luri and Tashi Kabum which house ancient murals and chhortens dating back to the 13th century.
Nepal: A Promising Hub for Business and Investment
Nepal’s geographical location, abundant natural resources, and a population of over 26 million make it an attractive country for business ventures. The nation benefits from funding from multilateral development banks and attracts significant foreign direct investment. The Nepalese government is dedicated to improving infrastructure, presenting numerous opportunities for U.S. companies. The Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies (PDF 855KB) provides detailed insights and guidelines for doing business in Nepal.
The Government of Nepal has fostered a competitive and investment-friendly environment by streamlining administrative procedures and offering attractive incentives for foreign investors. This has positioned Nepal as one of the safest and most suitable destinations for business globally.
As of July 2004, the Department of Industry’s Foreign Investment Division reported approximately 905 foreign direct investment projects in Nepal, valued at around USD 1.65 billion. These projects span sectors such as agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, energy, construction, minerals, tourism, and various service industries, creating nearly 95,000 jobs in Nepal. The leading countries with the highest number of projects include India, the USA, China, the UK, Norway, Japan, South Korea, and Germany.