FACTS

Location: Southern Asia, between China and India

Area (only Total) total: 147,181 sq km

Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south

Terrain: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north

Population: 29,519,114

Main Language (only first): Nepali

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Capital (Name): Kathmandu

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+5.75

Independence: 1768

National holiday: NA; note - in 2006, Parliament abolished the birthday of King GYANENDRA (7 July) and Constitution Day (9 November) as national holidays

HOLDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

January 11 National Unity Day

January 29 Martyrs' Memorial Day

February 19 National Democracy Day

March 8 International Women's Day

May 19 Buddha Jayanti (Buddha's Birthday)

July 7 HM King Gyanendra's Birthday

October 8 Durga Puja Ashtami

October 9 Dashami - Dussehra

October 24 United Nations Day

October 29 Lakshmi Puja, Diwali (Deepavali)

December 8 Queen's Birthday

December 15 Constitution Day

You should know:

Solar eclipses are also holidays.

* Date Not Confirmed

Weekend: Saturday