Two facts about Nepal stand out immediately to most Americans: it is the birthplace of Buddha and home to Mount Everest. Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha, was born around 623 BCE in Lumbini, located in southern Nepal near the Indian border. Lumbini is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pilgrimage center, visited by Buddhists from all over the world, including from the U.S., where Buddhism has seen a growing following in recent decades. The site contains ancient ruins, a sacred Bodhi tree, and the Maya Devi Temple, marking the exact spot of Buddha’s birth. Mount Everest, or “Sagarmatha” in Nepali and “Chomolungma” in Tibetan, is perhaps Nepal’s most iconic symbol. It was first summited by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, on May 29, 1953. Today, Everest is a major destination for climbers from around the globe, including hundreds of Americans annually. Over 6,000 people have summited Everest to date, and the mountain continues to captivate adventurers, scientists, and filmmakers alike. Together, Lumbini and Everest represent Nepal’s profound contributions to both spiritual and natural heritage on a global scale.