Kathmandu

Kathmandu
Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Kathmandu
Settlement type	Capital city
Coordinates	27, 42, N, 85...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Nepal
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1	Bagmati Province
Subdivision type2	District
Subdivision name2	Kathmandu District
Established title	Founded
Established date	c. 2nd century CE
Founder	King Gunakamadeva
Government type	Mayor–council government
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Balen Shah
Leader title1	Deputy Mayor
Leader name1	Sunita Dangol
Area total km2	49.45
Elevation m	1,400
Population total	845,767
Population as of	2021
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Nepal Standard Time
Utc offset	+05:45
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	44600
Area code	01
Website	kathmandu.gov.np

Kathmandu is the capital and most populous city of Nepal. Situated in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley in the central part of the country, it serves as the nation's political, cultural, and economic heart. The city is renowned for its rich history, exemplified by numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and its unique blend of ancient traditions and modern urban life.

History

The area's history dates to the ancient Kirata Kingdom, with significant development beginning under the Licchavi dynasty from around 400 CE, as evidenced by inscriptions like the Changu Narayan temple plaque. The city itself was formally founded as Kantipur in 723 CE by King Gunakamadeva of the Thakuri dynasty, with the construction of the central Kathmandu Durbar Square. It flourished as a key hub on the trans-Himalayan trade route between Tibet and India, a status solidified under the later Malla dynasty who erected iconic structures like the Kasthamandap and the Taleju Temple. Following the Unification of Nepal by Prithvi Narayan Shah of the Gorkha Kingdom in 1768, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. The city witnessed pivotal events like the Kot massacre in 1846, which established the Rana dynasty, and was the center of the 1990 Nepalese revolution and the Nepalese Civil War. The devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake caused significant damage to its historic monuments.

Geography

The city lies at an average elevation of approximately 1,400 meters in the Kathmandu Valley, surrounded by the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and the foothills of the Himalayas. It is drained by several rivers, including the Bagmati River and its tributaries the Bishnumati River and Dudh Kosi. The valley's geology consists of lacustrine deposits from a prehistoric lake, making the area prone to liquefaction during seismic events. The climate is classified as a humid subtropical climate with distinct seasons, including a monsoon period influenced by the Bay of Bengal.

Demographics

As per the 2021 census, the city proper has a population of about 846,000, while the wider metropolitan area exceeds 2.9 million, making it the largest urban agglomeration in the Himalayas. The predominant ethnic groups include the Newar people, the historical inhabitants of the valley, as well as Bahun, Chhetri, Tamang, and Madheshi people. Nepali is the official and most widely spoken language, while Newari and Maithili are also prevalent. The majority religion is Hinduism, with significant minorities practicing Buddhism, Islam, and Kiratism.

Culture

The city is a living museum of art and architecture, home to seven UNESCO-designated monument zones within the Kathmandu Valley. Major annual festivals include Dashain, Tihar, and the chariot procession of Rato Machindranath. Traditional Newar music, dance forms like Lakhey, and intricate crafts such as thangka painting and paubha are integral to its cultural identity. Key religious sites include the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath Temple, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and the medieval palace complex of Kathmandu Durbar Square. The National Museum of Nepal and the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts are major cultural institutions.

Economy

As the national economic center, it hosts the headquarters of the Nepal Rastra Bank, the Securities Board of Nepal, and the Nepal Stock Exchange. Tourism is a major industry, driven by heritage sites, trekking agencies, and mountaineering expeditions to peaks like Mount Everest. Key trade fairs include the Nepal International Trade Fair. Other significant sectors include handicrafts, carpet manufacturing, and information technology, with growing hubs like the Nepal Technology Innovation Center. The city is the terminus of major highways like the Tribhuvan Highway and is served by the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Administration

The city is governed by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City office, led by Mayor Balen Shah, under the framework of the Government of Nepal. It is the capital of Bagmati Province and the seat of the Federal Parliament of Nepal, the Supreme Court of Nepal, and Narayanhiti Palace, the former royal residence. The Kathmandu District administration coordinates local services, while law enforcement falls under the Metropolitan Police Crime Division. The city is divided into 32 administrative wards.

Category:Capitals in Asia Category:Cities in Nepal Category:Populated places in Kathmandu District