The topography of Nepal is perhaps its most famous feature, defined by the steepest elevation gradient in the world.
* **Highest Point**: Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), the highest point on Earth. * **Lowest Point**: The Terai plains at approximately 59 meters (193 feet) above sea level in the Jhapa district. * **Mountains & Hills**: The northern border is dominated by the Great Himalayas, while the mid-hills consist of the Mahabharat and Sivalik ranges. * **Canyons & Gorges**: The Kali Gandaki Gorge is widely considered the deepest gorge in the world, plummeting between the colossal peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. * **Valleys & Plateaus**: The Kathmandu Valley is a major topographic bowl surrounded by high hills, while regions like Mustang extend into the arid, high-altitude Tibetan plateau.