Kathmandu
Kathmandu | |
|---|---|
Kathmandu Durbar Square Boudha Stupa at Boudhanath Ghanta Ghar Dharahara Pashupatinath Temple Narayanhiti Palace Kathmandu's skyline with Gaurishankar visible | |
|
Flag Seal | |
| Motto(s): | |
Kathmandu Kathmandu | |
| Coordinates: 27°43′N 85°19′E / 27.71°N 85.32°E | |
| Country | Nepal |
| Province | Bagmati |
| District | Kathmandu |
| Founded by | Manjushri |
| Named after | Kasthamandap[1] |
| No. of Wards | 32 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council government |
| • Body | Kathmandu Metropolitan Government |
| • Mayor | Balen Shah (Ind.) |
| • Deputy mayor | Sunita Dangol (UML) |
| • Executive Officer | Saroj Guragain[2] |
| Area | |
| 49.45 km2 (19.09 sq mi) | |
| • Metro | 899 km2 (347 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,400 m (4,600 ft) |
| Population (2021)[3] | |
| 856,767 | |
| • Rank | 1st |
| • Density | 17,103/km2 (44,300/sq mi) |
| • Metro | Approximately 4 million |
| • Metro rank | 1st |
| Time zone | UTC+05:45 (NPT) |
| Postal Code | 44600 |
| Area code | 01 |
| International Airport | Tribhuwan International Airport |
| Website | www |
Kathmandu[a] (Nepali: [ˌkaʈʰmaɳˈɖu]) is the capital and largest city of Nepal, situated in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley. As per the 2021 Nepal census,[3] it has a population of 845,767 residing in 105,649 households, with approximately 4 million people in the surrounding metropolitan area. The city stands at an elevation of 1,324 metres (4,344 ft) above sea level.[5]
Recognized as one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, Kathmandu's history dates back to the 2nd century AD.[6] Historically known as the Nepal Mandala, the valley has been the cultural and political hub for the Newar people, a significant urban civilization in the Himalayan region. Kathmandu served as the royal capital of the Kingdom of Nepal and is home to numerous palaces, temples, and gardens reflecting its rich heritage. Since 1985, it has hosted the headquarters of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).[7]
Today, Kathmandu remains the epicenter of Nepal's history, art, culture, and economy. It has a multi-ethnic population with a Hindu majority and a significant Vajrayana Buddhist presence.[8] Religious and cultural festivals are integral to life in the city. Tourism plays a vital role in the economy, with the city serving as a gateway to the Nepal Himalayas. Kathmandu is home to several World Heritage Sites, including the Durbar Square, Swayambhu Mahachaitya, Bouddha, and Pashupatinath.[9]
The Kathmandu Valley has been experiencing rapid urbanization, with a growth rate of 4% per year as of 2010, making it one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in South Asia.[10][11]
- ^ "Kasthamandap: The Wooden Pavilion That Gave Kathmandu Its Name". Travellingcamera. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Chief Administrative Officer of Kathmandu Metropolitan City". Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). cbs.gov.np. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Definition of Kathmandu in English". Oxford Dictionaries. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Kathmandu | Rivers, History, Population, Elevation, & Map | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ Author. "Kathmandu - The Explorers". theexplorers.com. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Nepal and SAARC - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA". Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Kathmandu Valley - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Kathmandu Valley". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Managing Nepal's Urban Transition". World Bank. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Managing Nepal's Urban Transition". World Bank. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
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