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

From 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