Nepal Provinces and Capitals List

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026

Nepal is divided into seven provinces, which were established as part of the country's federal restructuring process in 2015. Here are the provinces of Nepal:

Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east, and west. The country is divided into 7 provinces for administrative governance and regional development. Kathmandu is the national capital and also the largest city in Nepal.

The country includes Himalayan mountains, river valleys, hills, forests, plains, and fertile agricultural regions stretching from the high Himalayas to the Terai lowlands. Different provinces are known for tourism, agriculture, hydropower, mountaineering, religious heritage, and biodiversity.

Key Facts

  • National capital: Kathmandu
  • Total population: 31,200,000 (Official estimate 2025)
  • Total area: 147,516 km² (56,956 sq miles)
  • Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
  • Bordering countries: China, India
  • Total Provinces: 7
  • Total Districts: 77

List of Provinces and Capitals of Nepal

Total provinces shown: 7 | Combined population: 31,200,000 | Combined area: 147,516 km²

#Province NameCapital CityRegion AreaArea (km²)Population (Latest Census)
1Koshi ProvinceBiratnagarEastern Nepal25,9055,300,000
2Madhesh ProvinceJanakpurSouthern Plains9,6616,400,000
3Bagmati ProvinceHetaudaCentral Nepal20,3006,200,000
4Gandaki ProvincePokharaWestern Highlands21,5042,700,000
5Lumbini ProvinceDeukhuriWestern Terai22,2885,400,000
6Karnali ProvinceBirendranagarMidwestern Himalayas30,2111,900,000
7Sudurpashchim ProvinceGodawariFar Western Nepal19,5393,300,000

Largest Provinces by Area

  • Karnali Province - 11,665 sq mi (30,211 km²)
  • Koshi Province - 10,002 sq mi (25,905 km²)
  • Lumbini Province - 8,605 sq mi (22,288 km²)
  • Gandaki Province - 8,303 sq mi (21,504 km²)
  • Bagmati Province - 7,838 sq mi (20,300 km²)
  • Sudurpashchim Province - 7,544 sq mi (19,539 km²)
  • Madhesh Province - 3,730 sq mi (9,661 km²)

Most Populous Provinces

  • Madhesh Province - Population: 6,400,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Bagmati Province - Population: 6,200,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Lumbini Province - Population: 5,400,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Koshi Province - Population: 5,300,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Sudurpashchim Province - Population: 3,300,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Gandaki Province - Population: 2,700,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Karnali Province - Population: 1,900,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest Provinces by Area

  • Madhesh Province - 3,730 sq mi (9,661 km²)
  • Sudurpashchim Province - 7,544 sq mi (19,539 km²)
  • Bagmati Province - 7,838 sq mi (20,300 km²)
  • Gandaki Province - 8,303 sq mi (21,504 km²)
  • Lumbini Province - 8,605 sq mi (22,288 km²)
  • Koshi Province - 10,002 sq mi (25,905 km²)

Provinces by Geographic Grouping

  • Central Nepal: Bagmati Province
  • Eastern Nepal: Koshi Province
  • Far Western Nepal: Sudurpashchim Province
  • Midwestern Himalayas: Karnali Province
  • Southern Plains: Madhesh Province
  • Western Highlands: Gandaki Province
  • Western Terai: Lumbini Province

Landlocked Provinces

  • All provinces of Nepal are landlocked.

Provinces with Coastline

  • None - Nepal is a landlocked country.

Provinces Sharing Borders with Other Countries

  • China: Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Koshi, Sudurpashchim
  • India: Koshi, Madhesh, Lumbini, Sudurpashchim

Major Geographic Features by Province

ProvinceMajor Geographic FeatureKnown For
Koshi ProvinceMount Everest RegionHimalayan tourism and trekking
Madhesh ProvinceTerai PlainsAgriculture and trade
Bagmati ProvinceKathmandu ValleyCapital region and heritage sites
Gandaki ProvinceAnnapurna RangeMountaineering and tourism
Lumbini ProvinceLumbini Sacred AreaBuddhist pilgrimage
Karnali ProvinceRemote Himalayan ValleysMountain landscapes and biodiversity
Sudurpashchim ProvinceFar Western HillsForests and cultural diversity

Sources