NEPAUL', or NIPAL, an independent kingdom of Hindustan, lying on the southern slope of the I limalayas, is bounded on ihe n. by Thibet, on the s. and w. by British India, and on the e. by Sikim, a protected state. Long. 80' 15' to 88' 15' east. It is 500 in. in length 1)7 about 100 tn. in average breadth. Area, 56,745 pop. estimated (1873) at 3,000,0l0. The kingdom is separated from the plains of India by the long narrow strip of land, resembling an English down, but unhealthy, called the Tend, which extends along the whole southern border. North of this, and running parallel with it, is the great forest of Nepali], from 8 to 10 m. broad. North of this strip is a tract of billy country, and above that are two tracts of greater elevation, the first of which may be called mountainous, while the second might appropriately be called alpine, if it did net comprise among its mountains peaks, which, like mount Everest and Dbawalagiri, attain almost twice the elevation of moat Blanc. The principal rivers are the Klimalli,
the Gogra, the Rapti, the Gunduk with its tributaries, and the Kosi. The climate, most unhealthy in the Tend, is healthy and pleasant in the hilly and mountainous districts, suggesting that of southern Europe. In the Valley of Nepaal—the district surrounding the capital—the heat of Bengal, which is felt in the hollows, may be exchanged for the cold of Russia by ascending the slopes of the hills which inclose it. The soil is extremely rich and fruitful. Barley, millet, rice, maize, wheat, cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, pine-apple, and various tropical fruits are cultivated. Gold has not been found, but iron and copper mines are worked. The inhabitants consist mainly of two tribes— the Ghurkas, whose chief occupation is war, and the Newars, who are principally artisans. The capital of the country is Khatmandu (q.v.).