The regions of Nepal are subdivided geographically, according to the east-west extent of the country. There are five major regions, which, in turn, are subdivided into fifteen zones, and those into even smaller entities. The names of Nepal's regions are also distinguished on the basis of geography.
Eastern region of Nepal
The region is bordered by India on the south side and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China on the north side. The northern part of the territory is occupied by mountains. This is where the famous Mount Everest is located. It is surrounded by the Sagarmatha National Park, whose visitor rules protect the unique mountainous region of the Himalayas from undue human influence.
To the center of the region, the mountains turn into gentle hills, and to the south, a swampy lowland spreads out. Among the major towns in this region of Nepal are Ilam, around which tea plantations are spread, and the commercial Dharan, which unites the mountainous and lowland parts of the country.
Central region of Nepal
The central part of Nepal is bordered by India to the south and the Tibetan region of China to the north. Part of the region is occupied by mountains and part by the picturesque Terai Valley. It is home to the famous Chitwan National Park.
At the foot of the Himalayas is Janakpur, one of the oldest cities in Nepal. It is one of the important religious centers of the kingdom, where you will find many Buddhist and Hindu shrines. According to legend, Buddha himself once lived in Janakpur. It is also home to Nepal's only railroad, which is still in operation.
The central region is also home to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It is also a very ancient city, with many landmarks and monuments of the past. The sights of Kathmandu along with those of Lalitpur and Bhatakpur are included in the UNESCO heritage list. There they have the common name of Kathmandu Valley World Heritage.
Western region of Nepal
The region borders India on the south side and China's Tibet on the north side. Two other Himalayan peaks eight thousand meters high, Annapurna and Manaslu, rise here. Both are surrounded by national parks of the same name, where trekkers flock from all over the world. The largest city in the region is Pokhara, where there are many hotels and active paragliding.
Nepal's largest river Kali-Gandaki flows through the region. At its headwaters is the Upper Mustang, a closed kingdom. Tourists are restricted from entering. Visits are possible only on payment of an additional fee by organized groups accompanied by locals.
Midwest Region
Like the rest of Nepal, this region is bordered by India to the south and Tibet to the north. The region is difficult to access and less popular with tourists. It is home to two national parks, Rara and Shey-Phoksundo. Here, in the city of Nepalganj, you will find one of Nepal's most significant temples, the Bageshwori Temple.
Far Western Region
The region, the smallest of Nepal's territories, is bordered by India to the west and south and Tibet to the north. In the north of the region are the ranges of the Himalayas. The southern part is occupied by the tip of the Terai valley. Among the major towns in the area is the commercial Bhimdatta, through which the main communication with Delhi takes place.
