Location | Southern Asia, between China and India |
Geographic coordinates | 28° N, 84° E |
Map references | Asia |
Area | Total: 147,181 sq km / Land: 143,181 sq km / Water: 4,000 sq km |
Population | 30,000,000 (approximately) |
Area comparative | Slightly larger than Arkansas |
Land boundaries | Total: 2,929 km / Border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km |
Coastline | 0 km (landlocked) |
Maritime claims | None (landlocked) |
Climate | Varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in 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 8,850 m |
Natural resources | Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic 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 waste, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions |
Environment-party to | Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law 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 |
Pictures Gallery