Nepal, officially known as the State of Nepal, is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia bordered by China (Tibet) to the north and by India to the south, east and west. For such as small territory, the Nepali landscape is uncommonly diverse, ranging from the humid Terai in the south, to the lofty Himalayas in the north. It contains 8 of world's 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest - the world's tallest - on the border with China. Many travellers go to Nepal for its stunning scenery (unmatched anywhere on earth) and trekking tours.

The origin of the name Nepal is uncertain, but the most popular understanding is that it derived from Ne (holy) and pal (cave).