About Biratnagar

The Heart of Eastern Nepal

Biratnagar, situated in the Morang District of Koshi Province, is one of Nepal's five metropolitan cities and the largest city in eastern Nepal. Located in the Terai plains, just 6 kilometers from the Indian border at Jogbani, it has historically served as a critical trade gateway between Nepal and India.

With a metropolitan population of over 270,000 and an urban agglomeration significantly larger, Biratnagar is Nepal's second-largest industrial center after the Kathmandu Valley. The city is the administrative headquarters of both Morang District and Koshi Province — the easternmost province of Nepal, which also encompasses Mount Everest.

Often called the "Industrial Capital of Nepal," Biratnagar has been the cradle of Nepali industry since the establishment of the Biratnagar Jute Mill in 1936 — Nepal's first large-scale industry. But its significance extends far beyond industry. The city has been the birthplace or home to more Prime Ministers of Nepal than any other city outside Kathmandu, playing a central role in the country's democratic movements.

Geography & Climate

Biratnagar sits at an elevation of approximately 72 meters (236 feet) above sea level in the fertile Terai plains. The city experiences a subtropical monsoon climate with hot summers, a rainy monsoon season from June to September, and mild, pleasant winters. The Singhia River flows through the city, and the mighty Koshi River — one of Nepal's largest rivers — flows nearby.

Economic Significance

As the industrial heart of Nepal, Biratnagar hosts the country's largest concentration of manufacturing facilities outside the Kathmandu Valley. The city's industries include jute processing, textiles, steel, cement, and food processing. Its strategic location near the Indian border makes it a vital trade corridor, with the Biratnagar Customs Point being one of Nepal's busiest.

The Morang Merchants Association (later the Morang Chamber of Commerce and Industry) has been one of the oldest business organizations in Nepal, reflecting the city's deep entrepreneurial roots.

Koshi Province Capital

Following Nepal's transition to a federal republic, Biratnagar was designated as the capital of Koshi Province (formerly Province No. 1). This province is the easternmost of Nepal's seven provinces, spanning from the Terai plains in the south to the highest peak on Earth — Mount Everest — in the north. As the provincial capital, Biratnagar serves as the administrative, economic, and political hub for the entire eastern region of Nepal.