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| Nepal's Map |
Tourism industry is the bast place in Nepal, and the biggest source of foreign exchange and revenue. Possessing of the 8 to 10 highest mountains in the world, Nepal is a hot spot destination for mountaineers, rock climbers and people seeking adventures. The Hindu, Buddhist and other heritage of Nepal, and its different weather are also strong attractions.
1. Overview
- 2. Statistics
- 3. Wilderness tourism
- 4. Religious sites
Overview
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| Mt. Everest |
Nepal is the country where Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world. The world heritage Lumbini, birthplace of Gautam Buddha. There are other important religious pilgrimage sites throughout the country.
The tourist industry is seen as a way to alleviate poverty and achieve greater social equity in the country.
Statistics
In 2007, the number of international tourists visiting Nepal was 526,705, which was an increase of 37.2% compared in 2006. And in 2008, the number of tourists decreased by 5% to 500,277.
In 2008, 55.9% of the foreign visitors came from Asia (18.2% from India), while Western Europeans accounted for 27.5%, 7.6% were from North America, 3.2% from Australia and the Pacific Region, 2.6% from Eastern Europe, 1.5% from Central and South America, 0.3% from Africa and 1.4% from other different place.
As of 2010, 602,855 tourists visited Nepal.
Wilderness tourism
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| Rafting in River |
According to Nepalses Ministry of Tourism, major tourist activities include wilderness and adventure activities such as Mountain biking, Bungy Jumping, rock climbing and mountain climbing, trekking, bird watching, flights, paragliding and hot air ballooning over the mountains of Himalaya, exploring the waterways by rafting.
Religious sites
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| Lumbini, Nepal |
The main religion in Nepal is Hindus, and the Pashupatinath Temple, the world's biggest temple of Shiva which is located in Kathmandu. Other Hindu temple complex in lake Gosainkunda near Dhunche, the temples at Manakamana temple in the Gorkha District.
Buddhist is the biggest minority religion. The Lumbini, which is birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Another prominent is Swayambhunath, in Kathmandu.
Muktinath is a sacred place for Hindus as well as Buddhists. The site is located in Muktinath Valley, Mustang district.
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| Pashupatinath Temple |