Nepal has seven provinces. With the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal in 2072, Nepal entered a new administrative structure. Indeed, Nepal adopted federalism as a political structure. Similarly, Nepal's constitution 2072 stated that "The federal Democratic Republic of Nepal shall have three main levels of government i.e. Federal, Province & Local.

Before federalism, Nepal had 75 districts, 14 zones and 5 development divisions. The national system feels some progressive structure. So, political parties, and various stakeholders agreed to practice the new federalism. Moreover, the major objective of the division of province is to distribute equal political as well as administrative power or all bodies. The province is the subnational body of the country. It has specific political, legislative, and executive powers.

Every province has its own government. All representatives are selected via a direct & proportionate election system. Furthermore, the provincial government is led by the chief minister who has a majority in the provincial parliament. Similarly, it has its own parliament to create laws and policies within its jurisdiction.

The provinces in Nepal are not just based on geography but also on the country’s different ethnic, language, and cultural groups. The boundaries of the provinces were decided after many discussions, considering things like the number of people, the land, ease of administration, and the ethnic groups living there.

Province of Nepal: Capital city, Population, Area & Districts

As we know that Nepal has seven province. Among them, Karnali is the largest province. It has 27984 square kilometers area. Similarly, Madesh Pradesh is the smallest province of Nepal. It has 9661 square kilometers area.

The list of provinces of Nepal with their capital city, Total Area, No. of districts & total population are:

S.N. Province NameCapital cityPopulationAreaNo. of districts
1Koshi Biratnagar49614122590514
2MadeshJanakpur611460096618
3BagmatiHetauda61168662030013
4Gandaki Pokhara24664272150411
5LumbiniDeukhuri51220782228812
6KarnaliBirendranagar16884122798410
7Sudur panchim Dhangadhi2694783199159
NepalKathmandu2916457814751677

Nepal's Province: Province wise local government list

according to the constitution of Nepal, there are three types of local government in Nepal. These are rural municipality, municipality & district assembly. Moreover, there are 753 local governments in Nepal. among them, 460 are rural municipalities. similarly, 293 are municipalities. The list of Pradesh wise local government list are;

ProvinceLocal GovernmentRural Mun.MunicipalitySub-MetroMetropolitan
Koshi137884621
Madesh136597331
Bagmati119744113
Gandaki85582601
Lumbini109733240
Karnali79542500
Sudur panchim88543310
Total753460276116

Koshi Province

Koshi Pradesh is in the eastern part of Nepal. There are 14 districts in this province. The eastern and southern parts of Koshi are connected to India. Madesh and Bagmati are in the western part. Similarly, China is in the northern part of this province.

Biratnagar is the capital of Koshi province. Mt. Everest, aka Sagarmatha, is also in this province. Biratnagar, Ilam, Damak, Itahari, etc., are the major markets in Koshi.

NameKoshi, Province No.1
Districts of KoshiOkhaldhunga, Ilam, Taplejung, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, Khotang, Jhapa, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur.
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Area)Taplejung / Terhathum
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Population)Morang/ Terhathum
Capital Biratnagar
EthnicityRai, Limbu, Bramhan, kshetri,

Madesh Province

Madesh Province is one of the seven provinces of Nepal. It is also known as province no.2. It is in the southern part of Nepal. Moreover, It shares it borders with India, Koshi & Bagmati province. There are 8 districts in Madesh Province.

Madhesh Province is known for its cultural diversity, Mithila arts, rich traditions, and agricultural importance. Janakpur is the capital city of Madesh. The total area of the province is 9,661 square kilometres. Indeed, it is the smallest province of Nepal by area. It has a mix of ethnic groups, including Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, and others.

NameMadesh Pradesh
District of Madesh ProvinceParsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari
CapitalJanakpur
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Area)Saptari/ Mahottari
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Population)Sarlahi/ Parsa
Famous forhistoric Mithila culture, famous for Mithila art and traditions
EthnicityMaithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, and others.

Bagmati Province

Bagmati is one of the major provinces of Nepal. It is in the central part of Nepal. The capital city of Nepal is Kathmandu which is situated in Bagmati. Moreover, this is the developed province of Nepal among the seven. Indeed, the province is named after the Bagmati River. Hetauda is the capital city of Bagmati. It is famous for natural beauty, cultural heritages & arts.

There are 13 districts in Bagmati province of Nepal. Tamang, Newar, Brahmin, Chhetri etc are the major ethnicity of this province. Similarly, they celebrate various festival like Dashain, Tihar, Buddha Jayanti, Lhosar, Nepal Sambhat etc.

NameBagmati Province
Capital CityHetauda
Districts of Bagmati ProvinceKathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Rasuwa, Dolakha, Makwanpur, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Nuwakot, Chitwan, Sindhupalchowk, Dhading, and Kavrepalanchok
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Area)Sindhupalchowk/Bhaktapur
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Population)Kathmandu/ Rasuwa
Famous For Ancient Heritages of Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan, Bhotekoshi Rafting, Langtang Trek,
Area20300 Square KM

Gandaki Province

Gandaki Province is one of the beautiful province of Nepal among them seven. The capital city o Gandaki is Pokhara in Kaski district. Pokhara is the tourist city of Nepal. It is a treasure trove of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and historical significance. In fact, this province is named after Gandaki river.

There are 11 district in Gandaki province. Seti, Marshyangdi, and Kali Gandaki are the famous rivers of Gandaki. similalry, Annapurna, Machhapuchre are the famous mountains of this province. Gurungs, Magars, Brahmins, Chhetris, and Thakalis are the main ethnicity here. Moreover, Pokhara, Parbhat, Lamjung, Ghandruk, Annapurna region, Gorkha & Baglung are the major attractions of this province.

Name Gandaki Province, Province No. 4
Capital cityPokhara, kaski
Area 21504 Sq. KM
Population2466427 (As per 2021 census)
Districts of GandakiKaski, Gorkha, Nawalparasi
(Bardaghat Susta East), Parbhat, Tanahu, Baglung, Myagdi, Lamjung, Syangja, Manang, Mustang
Famous ForPokhara, Annapurna Trek, Ghandruk, Gorkha, Mustang visit, Parbhat ,
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Area)Gorkha/ Parbhat
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Population)Kaski/ Manang
EthnicityGurungs, Magars, Brahmins, Chhetris, and Thakalis

Lumbini Province

Lumbini is the historically, spirituality, and naturally beautiful province of Nepal. It is also known as Province no. 5. The Lumbini province is named after famous place Lumbini. It is the place where the lord Buddha was born. Moreover, this province is in southwest part of country. Mayadevi, Ashok Stupa, Tilaurakot, Devdaha, Bardiya etc. are the attractions of Lumbini. Additionally, Deukhuri is the capital city of Lumbini province.

There are 12 districts in Lumbini province. Furthermore, Tharu, Magar, Kshetri are the main ethnicity here.

NameLumbini, Province No.5
Capital CityDeukhuri, Dang
Area22288 Sq. KM
Population5122078
Districts of LumbiniParasi, Dang, Gulmi, Kapilvastu, Arghakharchi, Palpa, Rukum East, Pyuthan, Banke, Bardiya, Rupandehi, Rolpa
Famous forBirth place of Buddha, Bardiya National park,
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Area)Dang/ Parasi
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Population)Rupendehi/ Rukum East

Karnali Province

Karnali is one of the province of Nepal among seven. It is also known as Province No. 6. Indeed, it includes almost districts of the former Madhya Paschimachal development Area. This province is spread in hilly & mountain region. Moreover, Karnali is rich in natural resources like natural water, herbal products. Similarly, it is the largest province of Nepal.

There are 10 districts in Karnali province. Moreover, Birendranagar is the capital city of Karnali. The famous Rara & Shey Phoksundo Lake are in Karnali. So, this province has alots of tourist potentiality. Similarly, Sinja Valley is another attraction of Karnali. it is a land of untouched natural beauty, rugged terrain, and rich unique cultural heritage. The province is named after the Karnali River which is the longest river in Nepal.

NameKarnali, Province No. 6
Capital cityBirendranagar
Population1688412
Area27984 Sq. KM
Districts of KarnaliRukum West, Mugu, Dailekh, Dolpa, Jumla, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Salyan, Surkhet, Humla
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Area)Dolpa/ Rukum West
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Population)Surkhet/ Dolpa
Famous ForNatural Beauty of Rara, Shey Phoksundo, Natural Herbal Products

Sudur Pashchim Province

Sunur Pashchim is one of the province of Nepal. Indeed, it includes all districts of the former Sudur Pashchimachal Development Area. Moreover, this province is in the far west part of Nepal. Tharu, Chhetri, Brahmin, Dalit, and indigenous communities are major ethnicity. Furthermore, Local languages like Doteli, Tharu, and Kumauni reflect the region’s cultural richness of Sudurpashchim.

Dhangadhi is the capital city of Sudur Pashchim province. There are 9 districts in this province. Khaptad, Shuklaphata are the main attractions here.

NameSudur Pashchim, province No. 7
Capital cityDhangadhi, Kailali
Area19915 Sq. KM
Population2694783
DistrictsKailali, Kanchanpur, Achham, Dadeldhura, Doti, Darchula, Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Area)Bajhang/ Baitadi
Largest/Smallest District (Based on Population)Kailali/ Darchula
Famous ForUnique culture & Language like Doteli, Rich of Natural Resources

Largest Province of Nepal

Here is the list of largest province of Nepal respectively based on area & population.

Based on Area

ProvinceArea (Sq. KM)
Karnali27984
Koshi25905
Lumbini22288
Gandaki21504
Bagmati20300
Sudur pashchim19915
Madesh9661

Based on Population

ProvincePopulation
Bagmati6116866
Madesh6114600
Lumbini5122078
Koshi4961412
Sudur Pashchim2694783
Gandaki2466427
Karnali1688412
Population as per census 2021

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here is the some frequently asked questions regarding "Province of Nepal".

Which is the largest province of Nepal?

Karnali is the largest province of Nepal. it has 27984 Sq. KM area. Based on population, Bagmati is the largest province of Nepal. It has 6116866 population as per census 2021.

Which is the smallest province of Nepal?

Madesh Pradesh is the smallest province of Nepal. It has 9661 Sq. KM area. On the basis of population, Karnali is the smallest province of Nepal. It has 1688412 total population.