A “province” is a territorial and administrative division of the country, established after Nepal’s new federal structure was introduced in 2015 under the Constitution of Nepal. The country is divided into seven provinces, each with a government led by a Chief Minister and a provincial assembly. Provinces are the second tier of government after the federal government, and they have specific powers, including lawmaking, economic development, and certain levels of education, health, and infrastructure responsibilities.
Province No. 1:
- Capital: Biratnagar
- Major Cities: Dharan, Itahari
- Features: Home to the Koshi River and Mount Kanchenjunga, it has a mix of hills, mountains, and lowlands.
- Location: Easternmost part of Nepal.
- Borders: Borders Tibet (China) to the north, Sikkim and West Bengal (India) to the east, and Province No. 2 and Bagmati Province to the west.
- Key Features: Mount Kanchenjunga, Arun Valley, and significant parts of the Terai plains.
Province No. 2:
- Capital: Janakpur
- Major Cities: Birgunj, Rajbiraj
- Features: Mainly situated in the Terai region, it is known for agriculture and cultural sites like Janaki Mandir.
- Location: Southeastern Terai region of Nepal.
- Borders: Borders India (Bihar) to the south and Bagmati Province to the north and west.
- Key Features: Mainly in the flatlands, including the cultural cities of Janakpur and Birgunj.
Bagmati Province:
- Capital: Hetauda
- Major Cities: Kathmandu (the national capital), Lalitpur, Bhaktapur
- Features: The heart of Nepal, along with Kathmandu Valley, includes the country’s cultural and historical hubs.
- Location: Central part of Nepal.
- Borders: Surrounded by Gandaki Province to the west, Province No. 1 to the east, and Tibet (China) to the north.
- Key Features: Includes Kathmandu Valley, a major cultural, political, and economic hub
Gandaki Province:
- Capital: Pokhara
- Major Cities: Baglung, Gorkha
- Features: Known for the Annapurna Range and popular tourist spots like Pokhara and the Phewa Lake.
- Location: Central Nepal.
- Borders: Bagmati Province to the east, Lumbini Province to the south, and Tibet (China) to the north.
- Key Features: Includes the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges and tourist destinations like Pokhara.
Lumbini Province:
- Capital: Deukhuri
- Major Cities: Butwal, Bhairahawa
- Features: Birthplace of Lord Buddha, with Lumbini as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Location: Southwestern part of Nepal.
- Borders: Borders Gandaki Province to the north, Karnali Province to the west, and India (Uttar Pradesh) to the south.
- Key Features: Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, and major cities like Butwal and Bhairahawa.
Karnali Province:
- Capital: Birendranagar (Surkhet)
- Major Cities: Jumla, Kalikot
- Features: The least developed province with rugged terrain, famous for its natural beauty and Karnali River.
- Location: Northwestern part of Nepal.
- Borders: Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces to the east and south, and Tibet (China) to the north.
- Key Features: Mountainous, sparsely populated, and known for its rugged beauty and Karnali River.
Sudurpashchim Province:
- Capital: Godawari (Dhangadhi)
- Major Cities: Mahendranagar, Tikapur
- Features: Known for its dense forests and remote mountainous areas, with its far-western culture and traditions.
- Location: Westernmost part of Nepal.
- Borders: Karnali Province to the east, India (Uttarakhand) to the west, and Tibet (China) to the north.
- Key Features: Forests, hills, and plains with a diverse culture; remote and far from the central parts of the country.
