Chitwan National Park


World Heritage Identification Number: 284

World Heritage since: 1984

Category: Natural Heritage

Transboundary Heritage: No

Endangered Heritage: No

Country: 🇳🇵 Nepal

Continent: Asia

UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific

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Exploring the Biodiversity Haven: Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park, located at the base of the Himalayan range in south-central Nepal, stands as a testament to the richness and diversity of the Terai region that once stretched across the foothills of Nepal and India. Established in 1973 as the Royal Chitwan National Park, it was later designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, acknowledging its significant role in preserving unique ecosystems and endangered species. Covering an expanse of approximately 952.63 square kilometers (367.81 square miles), this protected area offers a captivating blend of diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and cultural heritage.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

At the foot of the Himalayas, Chitwan is one of the few remaining undisturbed vestiges of the 'Terai' region, which formerly extended over the foothills of India and Nepal. It has a particularly rich flora and fauna. One of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros lives in the park, which is also one of the last refuges of the Bengal tiger.

Encyclopedia Record: Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal. It was established in 1973 as the Royal Chitwan National Park and was granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 952.63 km2 (367.81 sq mi) in the Terai of south-central Nepal. It ranges in elevation from about 100 m (330 ft) in the river valleys to 815 m (2,674 ft) in the Sivalik Hills.

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Additional Site Details

Area: 93,200 hectares

UNESCO Criteria: (vii) — Contains superlative natural phenomena or beauty
(ix) — Outstanding example representing ecological and biological processes
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity

Coordinates: 27.5 , 84.33333

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Image of Chitwan National Park

© Vadim Tolbatov, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)

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Country Information: Nepal

Flag of Nepal

Official Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Capital: Kathmandu

Continent: Asia

Population (2024): 29,651,054

Population (2023): 29,694,614

Population (2022): 29,715,436

Land Area: 143,350 sq km

Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)

Country Data Sources

Last updated: January 18, 2026

Portions of the page Chitwan National Park are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset and on text from the Wikipedia article Chitwan National Park, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes made. Additional original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Committee. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.

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