Colette's Grand Detour

Nepal’s geographical position between the great civilizations of India and Tibet and being stretched across some of the most extreme altitudes on earth has made it a crossroads of trade and culture but also a land of isolation and independence. Its mountains, valleys and rivers have acted through history as both barriers and conduits, keeping invaders out, channeling commerce along specific routes and fostering distinct local cultures, that later became the basis of Nepal’s politic divisions.

The Himalayas have been Nepal’s greatest fortress, protecting early kingdoms from large scale invasions from Tibet. Nepal is one of the few South Asia nations to never be colonized because of this. The mountains also shape Nepal’s spiritual identity, and many peaks such as Everest and Annapurna are seen as sacred.

The natural basin of the Kathmandu Valley, encircled by hills, and with fertile soil, abundant water and defensible terrain, made it ideal for early urban development. The enclosed geography led to localised kingdoms, that were close enough to compete but isolated enough to developed their own distinct art, dialects and architecture. The valley is also positioned along ancient trans-Himalayan trade routes between India and Tibet, bringing both wealth and cultural exchange, making it a cosmopolitan center even in the Licchavi and Malla periods.

Beyond the valley, the rugged hills made communication and control difficult, resulting in a fragmented geography, with the development of dozens of small principalities separated by hill ridges and rivers. This geography explains why Shah’s 18th century unification campaign was so challenging and slow.

The southern plains of Nepal, the Terai, are the country’s agricultural heartland, with fertile alluvial soils fed by Himalayan rivers. Historically this area was dangerous and sparsely populated throughout because of its dense forest and prevalence of malaria. This created a natural buffer between Nepal and India. After malaria was eradicated in the 50s and much of the dense forest cleared, it became Nepal’s main economic zone and migration corridor. It is also the most connected region in Nepal with India,

The trade routes that ran through Nepal connecting India and Tibet helped spread Tibetan Buddhism southwards and Hindu ideas northwards, creating a blend of the two in Nepal and resulting in the unique Newar culture that embraces both and defines religion in Nepal today.

Today, the mountains that once protected Nepal, now hinder infrastructure and economic growth. Roads, airports and power grids are expensive to build and difficult to maintain. However the geography of the country is also a big asset. Tourism, hydropower and biodiversity are all possible because of Nepal’s extreme altitudinal diversity.