Geography

• Nepal is a landlocked country between China and India. The natural landscape consists of valleys and plains in the south, and the awe-inspiring Himalayan Mountains in the north.
  
  

History

• In 1950, Nepal's first road system was built to connect the city of Kathmandu to the Indian border. As a result, Nepal welcomed international tourists to explore the region's rich culture and picturesque Himalayan landscape.
  
  

Economic Significance

• According to the Encyclopedia of Tourism, in 1983 Nepal's tourism peaked as the country's leading economic sector by marketing the Himalayan landscape and the Hindu/Buddhist cultures.
  
  

Cultural Tourism Destinations

• According to the Nepal Tourism site, Nepal's developed regions for recreational tourism are the most popular. These destinations include Kathmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Patan, Bhaktapur and Janakpur.
  
  

Mount Everest

• Tourism to the base of Mount Everest is a huge contribution to the development of Nepal's tourism sector. Tourists wishing to climb the world's highest mountain must purchase an additional permit for an additional $25,000 per person, thereby injecting a large amount of tourism dollars into Nepal's economy.