Hills

The hills of Nepal are home to a large number of communities and ethnic groups. From the northern highlands just below the great Himalayas to the southern Mahabharat and the Chure ranges, socio-cultural practices are myriad broadly belonging to either of the Indo-Aryan or the Mongoloid categories.

In addition, the valleys cut by different rivers too are important settlements; for instance Kathmandu and Pokhara valley are not only important in socio-cultural terms but also in economic terms. Many perennial rivers, large lakes and other wetlands are an essential part of the cultural life in these areas.