Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2017 | Nepal | Interesting Facts|

Hi Steemians! I am from eastern part of relatively small country but huge in heart called Nepal. Nepal's one of the largest industry is Tourism and has been featured by Lonely Planet in Best in Travel 2017 with tag Nepal is constant Backdrop of Mountains. It would be no coincidence if I would not happen to promote my country. In my opinion, Nepal is a place for altitude experience in shortest span of time as one can be in a tropical climate in the morning and Arctic Climate in the evening. Nepal boasts an elevation from 59 m to 8848 m (top of the world) within a short distance of 200 km only

I would like to present you some of the important and popular facts of Nepal.

1. Mountains: Not the Mountain of GoT but actual ones. 8 out of 10 highest mountains are in Nepal and obviously the highest one "The Mount Everest".
   

2. Buddhism: Although majority follow Hinduism, Buddhism comes at second place. Buddha was born in Nepal at Kapilvastu, Lumbini which is a World Heritage Site now and is an important place for all buddhist in the world. Nepal has many Stupas, Monastries which are incredible, marvelous and peaceful places on Earth.

3. National Flag: Nepal's flag is the only one which is not rectangle in shape. It is made up of two triangle and dates back 2000 years.
   

4. Living Godess: Kumaris are considered to be incarnation of Godess Taleju. They are pre-pubescent girls and are chosen through rigorous rituals. They live in Kumari House at Basantapur, Kathmandu and retire after puberty as it is considered that godess leaves the body of the girl after mensuration starts.
   

5. Not Colonized: Nepal does not celebrate independence day because it was never colonized. Although it has been attacked few times but our ancestors fought off the invaders bravely.
   

6. Gurkha Soilders: Gurkha Soilders are an integral part of British Soilders since 1815 after the peace agreement made after East India Company which colonized India. They suffered a large number of casulties while invading Nepal. Now every year large number of recruits are admitted into British Soilders and a large number of Gurkha Community resides in England.
   

7. Lakes : Tilicho Lake situated at 4800 m is the highest altitude lake of the world. Also Shey Phoksundo lake hold the record of being the deepest lake of the World at 145 m.
   

8. Gorges and Valleys: The deepest gorge of the world made by Kali Gandaki River records at 1200 m. Highest valley of the world is also in Nepal and is known as Arun Valley.
   

9. Namaste: The famous greeting "Namaste" is official greeting of Nepal. I even saw few steemians using it. 😊
   

10. Weed Haven: Now weed is illegal in Nepal but in the 60's and 70's it was a weed capital and a hub for hippies before ban policy came out on 1976 by the pressure American Government. A major cash crop for the livelihood of farmers in a country where still agriculture is a dominant economic sector was taken away whereby now we see American States are legalizing weed.
    

Images Credit: Various Sources from the Internet

Link to Lonely Planet Feature : https://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal

P.S. A lot more information and pictures are available in Lonely Planet Feature. Moreover I will be posting about specific places in future. Kindly stay tuned. Thanks.