Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references Asia:
Area: 147,800 sq km. Land: 136,800 sq km , Water: 4,000 sq km
Area: Comparative slightly larger than Arkansas
Land boundaries total: 2,926 km border
Neighbouring 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: Kanchan Kalan 70 m, Highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (1999)
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 - current issues: deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions.
Environment - international agreements: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, 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 highest peak - on the border with Tibet, China.