<item><hi format=bold>Climate:</hi> varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
<item><hi format=bold>Terrain:</hi> Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north
<item><hi format=bold>Natural resources:</hi> quartz, water, timber, hydroelectric potential, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
<item><hi format=bold>Land use:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>arable land:</hi> 17%
<item>• <hi format=ital>permanent crops:</hi> 0%
<item>• <hi format=ital>meadows and pastures:</hi> 13%
<item>• <hi format=ital>forest and woodland:</hi> 33%
<item>• <hi format=ital>other:</hi> 37%
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<item><hi format=bold>Irrigated land:</hi> 9,430 sq km (1989)
<item><hi format=bold>Environment:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>current issues:</hi> the almost total dependence on wood for fuel and cutting down trees to expand agricultural land without replanting has resulted in widespread deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution (use of contaminated water presents human health risks)
<item>• <hi format=ital>natural hazards:</hi> vulnerable to severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
<item>• <hi format=ital>international agreements:</hi> party to—Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified—Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Note:</hi> landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks