Where in the World? You see this country’s flag, and you are not sure. There is a moon on the upper triangle and a sun on the lower triangle. You ask a “Tiger of the Snow” about the flag, and you are told that the flag is the only nonrectangular flag representing a country in the world. The “Tiger in the Snow” also informs you that the sun and the moon represent this country’s hope that it will last as long as the sun and the moon.

Where on Earth are you? Can you find your place? Nepal

Welcome to Nepal

Located in Southeast Asia and completely surrounded by land, Nepal has some of the highest and most rugged mountains in the world. Eight of the world’s highest peaks are in Nepal. Can you name the highest? Mt. Everest is 29, 028 ft. (8,848m). The air is so thin at the top (oxygen decreases with elevation) that man cannot survive there for any extended length of time.

Who are the “Tigers of the Snow”? Nepal consists of about 35 separate ethnic groups. The Sherpas, a tribe from the north, are considered to be the best guides and porters in the Himalayan region and are nicknamed “Tigers of Snow.” Norgay was a Sherpa.

What do you think the staple food of Nepal is? For the majority of the Nepalese, rice is the staple food. The Sherpa tribe is the exception, with their staple food being the potato. Why do you think this is so? The Sherpas live in the hill region, and potatoes grow better there than rice does.

Could it be that hyenas and bears live in Nepal? Yes, they do! Forests cover about 1/3 of Nepal, and Nepal also has swamps and jungles. The snow leopard and the Indian rhinoceros are found in Nepal, but they are on the endangered species list. Rhesus monkeys, deer, wild oxen, goats, and tigers also live in Nepal.

Nepal is the only official Hindu kingdom in the world. What is Hinduism? Hinduism is a religion. About 85% of Nepalese are Hindus, about 10% Buddhist, and about 5% Muslims or members of the animist religions.

Is there really a yeti? The yeti is also known as the Abominable Snowman. It is supposed to be a huge, white, shaggy beast that lives high on the Himalayan slopes. People claim to have seen it and its footprints. Edmund Hillary set out on an expedition in 1960 to solve the mystery of the yeti. He and his team of scientists concluded that the yeti does not exist. Evidence was fabricated as a hoax, or it came from other animals.

FAST FACTS – Nepal OFFICIAL NAME: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal democratic republic CAPITAL: Kathmandu POPULATION: 30,986,975 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Nepali, English MONEY: Nepalese rupee AREA: 54,363 square miles (140,800 square kilometers) MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Himalayas, Annapurna MAJOR RIVERS: Karnali, Koshi

Where in the World? It’s your turn: Complete your “Where in the World?” page. 1 – fill in the country and continent. 2 – write a paragraph about Nepal with at least 5 interesting details (important details). 3 – colour in Nepal on the world map.