The district covers an area of 3,646 square kilometres (1,408 sq mi) and has a total population (2011 Nepal census) of 127,461.

Lho= bhutiya/tibetan /sherpa men = lepcha Chong= limbu /yakthung Limbus were given more rights and given kipat (किपट) and Limbuwan is found in 9 districts.

290px|thumb|Map of Eastern Nepal in 1942 showing Taplejung, a part of large Dhankuta District|left]] Before the unification of Nepal, the area of Taplejung and its surrounds were called after 19th century pallo Kirat Limbuwan which means "far region" and was ruled by the Limbu kings of Limbuwan.

[5] After the unification of Nepal, the area of Taplejung became a part of the large Dhankuta District.

Geographically Taplejung is a mountainous district where the world's third highest peak Kanchenjunga (8586 m) is located.

[14] Ethnicity/caste wise, in 2021 38.60% were Limbu, 24.98% Sherpa, 5.67% Chhetri, 2.70% Hill Brahmin, 4.06% Rai, 4.73% Gurung, 4.66% Tamang, 4.55% Kami, 1.45% Damai, 1.39% Newar, 1.10% Magar, 1.05% Sunuwar and 0.95% Mijar.

Taplejung District consists 1 Parliamentary constituency and 2 Provincial constituencies[19] Taplejung (headquarters) is connected to the rest of Nepal by the Mechi Highway which meets the east–west or Mahendra Highway at Charali (Mechinagar).

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area comprises cultivated lands, forests, pastures, rivers, high altitude lakes and glaciers.

[21] Pathibhara Devi Temple or Mukkumlung Manghim at Taplejung hill is considered as the home to Yuma Sammang, the deity of Limbu people and thus worshipped.