Nepal is a land of snow-capped mountains, quiet river valleys, ancient cities, towering pagoda temples, friendly people and beautiful wilderness parks. Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt Everest, at 8,848 metres, all within a distance of 150 kilometres with climatic conditions ranging from subtropical to Artic.
Nepal has a population of more than 22 million people of different ethnic groups. They live in diverse environmental conditions, from the low plains at the boarder of India, northward through the middle hills and valleys and up to the flanks of the great Himalayan range where there are settlements at altitudes of up to 4,800 metres. Even with so many diverse cultural groups, languages and customs, Nepali is the national language of Nepal.