part ii overview of major environmental developments and trends 10 nepal state the environment 2001 soe report 11 2 1 background with an area 147 181 sq km is a preponderantly mountainous country sandwiched between india on three sides east west south china to north has average width 193 length 885 altitude varies from 90 metres above sea level masl in 8 848m there are ecological regions mountains hills terai plains administration carried out through 75 districts 58 municipalities 3 912 village development committees map 1999 had estimated population 22 4 million which about or 14 5 lived urban areas kingdom large number diverse ethnic groups distributed throughout november 1998 norwegian agency for cooperation norad united nations
