Map of Nepal — Interactive Province & District Map

About Nepal's Administrative Structure

Nepal is a federal democratic republic organized into 7 provinces, 77 districts, and 753 local levels (metropolitan cities, sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities, and rural municipalities). This administrative structure was established by the Constitution of Nepal 2015, which replaced the earlier unitary system with a three-tier federal governance model.

The federal restructuring was a landmark achievement following years of political transition. The seven provinces were created to devolve power from the center, giving regions greater autonomy over their governance, development, and resources. Each province has its own elected assembly, chief minister, and governance structure.

Key Geographic Facts

The 2015 Constitution and Federalism

The Constitution of Nepal, promulgated on September 20, 2015 (Ashwin 3, 2072 BS), established Nepal as a federal democratic republic. The country was divided into seven provinces, replacing the previous system of 75 districts under 14 administrative zones and 5 development regions. Two new districts (Nawalparasi was split into East and West, and Rukum was split into East and West) were created, bringing the total to 77.

Each province is named and has a designated capital city. Provincial governments have jurisdiction over education, health, agriculture, and local infrastructure within their boundaries, while certain matters like defense, foreign affairs, and currency remain under the federal government.

About Nepal's Geography

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, bordered by China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north and India to the south, east, and west. Despite its relatively small size of 147,516 square kilometers, Nepal is one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world. The country is divided into 7 provinces and 77 districts, which together encompass three distinct ecological zones that run east to west across the country.

The Terai (also spelled Tarai) is the low-lying southern plains region, stretching along the Indian border at elevations below 300 meters. This flat, fertile region is home to the majority of Nepal's agricultural production and the densest population centers outside the Kathmandu Valley. Major cities like Biratnagar, Birgunj, and Nepalgunj are located in the Terai.

The Hill region (Pahad) occupies the middle band of Nepal at elevations between 300 and 4,000 meters. This zone includes the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, and many historically significant towns. The hills feature terraced farming, moderate climates, and serve as the cultural heartland of many ethnic groups including Gurung, Magar, Tamang, and Newar communities.

The Mountain region (Himal) covers the northern part of Nepal, including eight of the world's fourteen peaks above 8,000 meters, most notably Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) at 8,848.86 meters. This sparsely populated zone includes districts like Solukhumbu, Mustang, Dolpa, Humla, and Manang, and is home to Sherpa, Thakali, and other mountain communities.

Using the Interactive Nepal Map

Our interactive Nepal map allows you to explore all seven provinces by clicking directly on the map. When you click on a province, a detail panel appears showing key information including the province's capital city, total number of districts, area in square kilometers, and population based on the 2021 census data. You can also see a list of all districts within that province.

Below the map, you will find a comprehensive data table listing all seven provinces with their key statistics for easy comparison. The district search feature lets you type any district name to quickly find which province it belongs to. The collapsible "All 77 Districts by Province" section provides a complete reference organized by province.

This map tool is useful for educational purposes — students studying Nepal's geography and administrative structure can use it as an interactive reference. Researchers and journalists can quickly look up district and province data. Travelers planning trips to Nepal can identify which province and district their destination falls in. The tool is also valuable for Nepali citizens who want to understand the federal structure introduced by the 2015 constitution.

Nepal's Geographic Overview

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia covering 147,516 square kilometers with a population of approximately 30 million (2021 Census). Organized into 7 provinces and 77 districts, Nepal stretches roughly 885 kilometers from east to west and varies between 145 to 241 kilometers from north to south. The country contains an extraordinary range of altitude – from just 60 meters above sea level in the southern Terai plains to 8,848.86 meters at the summit of Mount Everest (Sagarmatha), the highest point on Earth.

Nepal's three ecological zones – the Terai plains (southern lowlands, about 17% of total area), the Hill region (mid-hills and valleys, about 65% of area), and the Mountain/Himalaya region (northern highlands, about 18% of area) – create immense biodiversity and cultural diversity. The Terai is Nepal's agricultural breadbasket and most densely populated region, the hills contain the capital Kathmandu and the cultural heartland, and the mountains are home to eight of the world's fourteen peaks above 8,000 meters. Nepal's population of roughly 30 million includes over 125 ethnic groups speaking more than 120 languages, making it one of the most ethnically diverse nations in Asia.

Understanding Nepal's Administrative Divisions

The Constitution of Nepal 2015 (promulgated on Ashwin 3, 2072 BS) established the current federal structure, replacing the previous unitary system of 5 development regions and 14 administrative zones. Under the new federal model, Nepal is divided into seven provinces, each with its own elected assembly, chief minister, and provincial governance structure. The seven provinces are: Koshi (capital: Biratnagar), Madhesh (Janakpur), Bagmati (Hetauda), Gandaki (Pokhara), Lumbini (Deukhuri), Karnali (Birendranagar), and Sudurpashchim (Godawari).

At the local level, Nepal has 753 local government units comprising 6 metropolitan cities (महानगरपालिका) – Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lalitpur, Bharatpur, Biratnagar, and Birgunj – 11 sub-metropolitan cities (उपमहानगरपालिका), 276 municipalities (नगरपालिका), and 460 rural municipalities (गाउँपालिका). Each local unit is led by an elected mayor or chairperson and has authority over local governance, service delivery, land management, and development planning. This three-tier federal system – federal, provincial, and local – was designed to decentralize power and bring government services closer to citizens, empowering communities to manage their own resources and development priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions