Location: Southern Asia between China and India
Geographic Coordinates: 25oN,84oE
Map reference: Asia
Area : Total: 147,181 sq km
: Land: 143,181 sq km
: Water 4000 sq km
Land boundaries: Total: 2,929km, border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km
Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters south
Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north
Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Kechana Kalan 70 m
Highest point: Mount Everest 8,848m
Natural resources: Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, science beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use: arable land: 21.68%
Permanent crops: 0.64%, other: 77.68% (2001)
Irrigated Land: 11,350 sq. km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: Severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
Environment: deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives)
Current issues: contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions.
Environment-party to: Biodiversity, Climate change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous wastes, La of the sea, Ozone layer protection.
International agreements: Tropical Timber 83, Tropical timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine life conservation.
Geography Note: Landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest-the world's tallest- on the border with China.