Until the establishment of seven new provinces in 2015, Nepal was divided into 14 administrative zones (Nepali: अञ्चल; anchal) and 77 districts (Nepali: जिल्ला; jillā). The 14 administrative zones were grouped into five development regions (Nepali: विकास क्षेत्र; vikās kṣetra). Each district was headed by a chief district officer (CDO), who was responsible for maintaining law and order and coordinating the work of field agencies of the various government ministries.
| Kingdom of Nepal नेपाल अधिराज्य | |
|---|---|
| Zones of Nepal | |
| 1961–2015 | |
 Former zones | |
| Capital | Kathmandu |
| History | |
• Established | 1961 |
• Disestablished | 2015 |
List
editFrom east to west:
- Eastern Development Region:
- Mechi Zone, named after the Mechi River
- Kosi Zone, named after the Kosi River
- Sagarmatha Zone, named after Sagarmatha (Mount Everest)
- Central Development Region:
- Janakpur Zone, named after its capital city
- Bagmati Zone, named after the Bagmati River
- Narayani Zone, named after the Narayani (lower Gandaki) River
- Western Development Region:
- Gandaki Zone, named after the Gandaki River
- Lumbini Zone, named after Lumbini, a pilgrimage site, birthplace of Gautama Buddha
- Dhaulagiri Zone, named after Dhaulagiri mountain
- Mid-Western Development Region:
- Rapti Zone, named after the West Rapti River
- Karnali Zone, named after the Karnali River
- Bheri Zone, named after the Bheri River
- Far-Western Development Region:
- Seti Zone, named after the Seti River
- Mahakali Zone, named after the Mahakali River