Nepal      Nepal is a kingdom of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments, exotic wildlife, and diverse cultures. It is the land where Lord Buddha was born over 2500 years ago. Roughly rectangular in shape, the Kingdom of Nepal is situated between China in the north and India in the south. The land extends approximately 885 km east to west and 193 km north to south. Nepal is primarily an agricultural country. Tourism, carpets, and garments are the major industries.      For its size, Nepal is remarkable for having the greatest altitudinal variation on this planet. The land rises from the southern plains covered with tropical jungles and fertile farmland at almost sea level, to the high Himalaya mountains in the north, with valleys and lush hills in between-all within a distance of less than 200 km. Eight of the 10 highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest, lie in Nepal.   Climate      Nepal contains a variety of climatic conditions ranging from the tropical heat of the Terai plains to the freezing cold of the high Himalaya. The mid-hills, particularly the Kathmandu Valley, are pleasant with warm summers and cool winters. Temperatures range between a maximum of 37 and minimum of 8 degrees Celsius in the plains, 28 and 2 degrees Celsius in the Kathmandu Valley, and between -6 and 16 degrees Celsius in the mountains. The rainy season lasts from June to August.   Currency Nepalese currency is the rupee, and bank notes come in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 rupees. The exchange rate is US$1= 70 rupees (December, 2005).   Getting there   Kathmandu is connected by direct flights to Amsterdam, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, Vienna, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Karachi, Kolkotta, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Patna, Varanari, Dhaka, Paro, Lhasa, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and Osaka.   Tourist Visa   A visa is required to enter Nepal, except for Indian nationals. A single entry visa for 60 days can be obtained from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate upon payment of US$30. You can also get a visa at the point of entry upon arrival. Visitors who require single, double, or multiple re-entry visas can get them by paying an additional US$25, 40, or 60 respectively. A tourist visa can be extended in the Department of Immigration for a charge of US$50 for each additional month. Children under 10 years are not charged any visa fees.   Airport Tax   Passengers departing from Tribhuvan International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of 600 rupees for travel to SAARC countries and 1,800 rupees to all other international destination. Domestic airport tax is 150 rupees.