Page 119 - Social Studies 7

Lesson Nepal: Physical Features and
5.3

Socio-Economic Condition

Mt Everest is the highest peak of the world with 8848 m height,
FACTS Tilicho lake is the highest lake on the earth of 4800 m height,
to Understand the Kali Gandaki is the deepest gorge of 1200 m, Arun valley is
the deepest valley on the Earth and Shey Phoksundo lake is the
deepest lake of 145 m depth at the height of 3611.5 m above the
sea level. These made the profile a small country very high.

Nepal is a mountainous country. About 83 percent of its total land areas is covered
by mountains and hills and only 17 percent of land is plain. There is remarkable
variation in the land structure from the north to the south of Nepal. Physically, it
is divided into three features:

i) Mountain ii) Hill iii) Terai
Let us discuss these physical divisions in detail.

1. Mountain Region

The mountain region is located in the northernmost part of the country.
This region ranges between 4700 m to 8848 m above the sea level. It occupies
about 15% of total land area of the country. The land above 5000 m is covered
with snow throughout the year. There are many mountains or peaks that lie in
this region including Mt. Everest, the highest peak, the Kanchanjunga, Makalu,
Dhaulagiri, Gaurishankar, Kanjiroba, etc. Manang and Mustang are located in
rain shadow area. So, they are called the desert of Nepal.

Climate and Vegetation

This region experience extremely cold climate. Most of the parts of this region is
covered with snow. So, it is not suitable for cultivation and human settlement.
These mountain vegetation include coniferous forest in the foothills of the
Himalayas and Tundra vegetation in the northern part. Only mosses and lichens
are found in the northernmost part.

Social Life

This region is inhabited by Bhotes, Sherpas and Thakalis. Due to very cold climate
people wear Bakkhu, Docha, Cap and warm woollen clothes. Men also keep long

119 Dynamic Social Studies and Population Education - Book VII