My Next Great Adventure!

So, in case you didn't already know, I'm going to Nepal this November!!!  In the coming days, I will have loads of posts about who I'm going with, what we'll be doing and what I'm doing to prepare.  But, I thought I would introduce you to Nepal with this fun little set of facts:

Capital: Kathmandu

Language: Nepali (official) & 20 other languages divided into numerous dialects. Derived from Sanskrit, Nepali is related to the Indian language, Hindi, and is spoken by about 90 percent of the population in either native or second language fluency. Many Nepalese in government and business also speak English.

Time Zone: 5 hrs 45 min ahead of GMT (11 hrs 45 minutes ahead of Logan!)

Currency: 1 Nepalese Rupee (NR) divided into 100 paise  Exchange Rate: 74.5 NR = 1 US Dollar

National Calendar: The Nepali year begins in mid-April and is divided into 12 months: Baisakh, Jestha, Asadh, Shrawan, Bhadra, Aswin, Kartik, Marga, Poush, Phalgun, Chaitra. 

National Anthem: "May Glory Crown Our Illustrious Sovereign"
National Motto: "The Motherland Is Worth More than the Kingdom of Heaven."

National Bird: Danphe

National Flower: the spectacular rhododendron 'gras' in Nepali

Climate: Nepal has a climate that ranges from subtropical summers with mild winters in the southern lowlands to an alpine climate with cool summers as well as severe winters in the mountains. Average annual precipitation decreases from 1,778 mm (70 inches) in the east to 899 mm (35 inches) in the west. 

People: 

Ethnic Groups: Among the earliest inhabitants were the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley and aboriginal Tharus in the southern Terai region. The Indo-Nepalese migrated from India and are ancestors of the Brahman and Chetri caste groups, which account for nearly 80% of the population. The Tibeto-Nepalese account for the remainder and trace their origins to central Asia and Tibet, including the Gurungs, Magars and Tamang in the west, Rais and Limbus in the east, and Sherpas and Bhotias in the north.

Religion: 90% Hindu (official state religion) 5% Buddhist, 3% Muslim, 2% Other (Christian, indigenous & animistic practices) While Nepal is the only Hindu country in the world, Hinduism has synthesized with Buddhism in Nepal. As a result, Buddhist and Hindu shrines and festivals are respected and celebrated by all.

Population: 23,200,000 (2001 census)