Location: Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic Coordinates: 28°N, 84°E

Map References:
Asia

Area:
Total: 147,181 Sq Km
Land : 143,181 Sq Km
Water: 4,000 Sq Km

Area Comparative:
Slightly larger than Arkansas

Land Boundaries:
Total: 2,929 km border 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: Kechana Kalan 70 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m

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)

Current Issues:
Contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions.

Environment-party to:
Bio-diversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the sea, Ozone Layer Protection.

International agreements:
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 tallest) on the border with China