Nepal has distinct and brave history and has always been an independent and sovereign country with glorious culture and tradition that date back to many centuries. Nepal covers approximately 147,000 sq. km. stretching 800 km from east to west and 90 to 230 km from north to south. Nepal is land locked between two Asian giants- China and India. Nepal has three geographic regions: the Mountain regions (including 8 out of 10 highest peaks in the world) the Hill region and the Plains (Terai region). Nepal contains greatest altitude variation on earth, from the low land Terai, at almost sea level to Mount Everest at 8848 meters. Nepal is divided into five development regions and seventy five districts. An estimate of 29.5 million (July 2008 est.) people is living in diverse geographic regions and different climatic zones.