By Sagar Saud

Nepal is a federal democratic republic country with seven provinces and seven hundred and fifty three municipalities. It has a parliamentary ruling system. It has adopted an open economy policy. It has an agriculture-based economy.

Nepal is a naturally beautiful and culturally diverse small country situated between India and China in South Asia. Kathmandu is the capital city. It is rich in geographical biodiversity with its terrain, hills and mountains. 

Eight of the highest peaks of the world above eight thousand meters are in Nepal. Mount Everest, highest peak of the world lies here. It is called Sagarmatha in native Nepalese language. It is rich in waters resources. There are many lakes, ponds, and long and short rivers. Chitwan National park, Sagarmatha National Parks, Khaptad National Park, Suklafata National Park, Parsha Wildlife Reserves, Bardia National Park and other Conservation areas most famous.

Nepal is a multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-cultural country. The dominant portion of the population hold the Hindu religious creed.

Pashupatinath is a Hindu temple situated in Kathmandu Valley which is most worshiped and visited by the Hindus and the Buddhists. The second dominant religion is the Buddhist. Lumbani is the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, the God of peace. Kirat, Jain, Muslim and Christanity are the other religions adopted. Nepali is the most speaking and official language. More than 123 languages are spoken here. According to the census of 2011, people of 125 castes live in Nepal.

Different castes and ethnicity have different festivals, traditions, cultural and religious values and norms. Dashain, Tihar, Fagu, Lohasar, Maghi, Chhat Parba, Id, Christmas, and other Parba and Jatras of Newar community of Kathmandu valley. There are some unscientific and conservative traditions like untouchability, Shamanism, and Chhaupadi Pratha (the tradition of not touching the women while they are in their period). These conservative bad traditions are deep-seated in people's life and practice but vanishing gradually. 

Agriculture and traditional farming is the main profession of most of the Nepalese people. As Nepal is a beautiful Himalayan country rich with its natural, cultural, and religious diversity. Tourists from Europe, America, Australia and other countries come here. Tourists from Japan, China, Korea, Srilanka, India and other countries come for religious tour.

Tourists come here for mountain flight, mountain climbing, rafting, hunting, bumpy jumping, paragliding, trekking, home staying and rural touring. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Janakpur, Illam, Mustang, Kagbeni, Chitwan, Bardia, Khaptad, Sagarmatha, Rara, and so many other beautiful tourist places. Interesting fact is that tourism in Nepal is very cheap. Nepalese people are simple and helpful. They respect tourists as guests. Hope you will visit Nepal one day.