Koshi Province (कोशी प्रदेश)
Home to Mount Everest and Diverse Ethnic Cultures
Geography
Area & Location
25,905 km² (10,002 sq mi), borders Tibet to the north and India to the east/south. Contains three geographical regions: Himalayan (19.72%), Hilly (53.18%), and Terai (27.1%).
Topography
Ranges from 70m elevation in Terai to 8,848m at Mt. Everest. Contains major rivers: Koshi, Tamor, Arun, and Saptakoshi.
Climate
Varied from alpine in Himalayas (-20°C winter) to subtropical in Terai (40°C summer). Annual rainfall ranges from 1,500mm to 2,500mm.
Districts
14 Districts of Koshi Province:
- Bhojpur
- Dhankuta
- Ilam
- Jhapa
- Khotang
- Morang
- Okhaldhunga
- Panchthar
- Sankhuwasabha
- Solukhumbu
- Sunsari
- Taplejung
- Terhathum
- Udayapur
District Highlights
Solukhumbu
Home to Mount Everest (8,848m) and Sagarmatha National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Gateway to Everest Base Camp trek.
Ilam
Famous for tea production with beautiful tea gardens. Known as "Queen of Hills" with panoramic Himalayan views.
Jhapa
Agricultural hub producing rice, jute, and tobacco. Contains Nepal's eastern border checkpoint at Kakarbhitta.
Culture & People
Limbu
Indigenous Kirati people with distinct culture, language (Limbu), and script (Sirijanga). Known for traditional dance forms like Chyabrung and Dhan Naach.
Rai
Another Kirati group with diverse sub-groups (Bantawa, Chamling, etc.). Known for their traditional music instruments like dhol, jhyamta, and tungna.
Brahmin/Chhetri
Predominant Hindu groups following traditional caste hierarchy. Mainly engaged in agriculture, government services, and religious activities.
Nepali
Official language spoken by majority (approx. 44%). Common medium of communication across all districts.
Maithili
Spoken in southern districts (approx. 18%), especially in Morang, Sunsari, and Jhapa.
Limbu
Indigenous language with its own script (approx. 8%), primarily in Taplejung, Panchthar, and Ilam.
Sakela
Main festival of Kirati people celebrating nature and ancestors. Performed twice yearly (Ubhauli in spring, Udhauli in winter).
Chasok Tangnam
Limbu harvest festival celebrated with traditional dance (Chyabrung) and special foods like yangben (wild mushroom) and kinema (fermented soybeans).
Dashain/Tihar
Major Hindu festivals celebrated by majority population with family gatherings, animal sacrifices, and lights/decorations.
Tourism Highlights
Mount Everest
World's highest peak (8,848m) located in Solukhumbu district. Base camp trek (EBC) takes about 12-14 days from Lukla. Sagarmatha National Park (1,148 km²) protects unique Himalayan ecosystem.
Ilam Tea Gardens
Beautiful tea estates producing some of Nepal's finest tea (CTC and Orthodox varieties). Mai Pokhari (lake) and Antu Danda offer panoramic views of Everest and Kanchenjunga at sunrise.
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
Third highest mountain in the world (8,586m) with diverse flora/fauna. Home to red panda, snow leopard, and over 250 bird species. Trekking routes less crowded than Everest region.
Economy
Agriculture
Major crops: Rice (Jhapa/Morang), maize, wheat, tea (Ilam), cardamom (Taplejung), ginger. Jhapa and Morang are the rice bowls of Nepal with 3 crops/year in some areas.
Industry
Biratnagar industrial area with jute mills, sugar factories, and other manufacturing. Dharan is educational/healthcare hub. Major hydro projects: Upper Tamakoshi (456 MW), Arun III (900 MW).
Tourism
Mountaineering (Everest), trekking (Kanchenjunga, Makalu), tea tourism (Ilam), and religious tourism (Pathibhara Temple). Generates significant foreign income and employment.
Back to Main Map