Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal, located in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley. With a population of 845,767 as of the 2021 Nepal census, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, dating back to the 2nd century AD. The city sits at an elevation of 1,324 metres (4,344 ft) above sea level.

Historically known as the Nepal Mandala, Kathmandu has been the cultural and political heart of the Newar people and served as the royal capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Today, it remains a center for history, art, culture, and economy. The city is rich with palaces, temples, and gardens, and it hosts important international organizations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Kathmandu is also a key gateway to the Nepal Himalayas and is home to several World Heritage Sites, including the Durbar Square, Swayambhu Mahachaitya, Bouddha, and Pashupatinath. The city continues to grow quickly, with its population expanding at a rate of 4% per year.

Etymology

The name Kathmandu comes from an old building called Kasthamandap. This building was located in Kathmandu Durbar Square and was destroyed during the earthquake in April 2015, but it has been rebuilt. In the ancient language Sanskrit, the word Kāṣṭha means "wood" and Maṇḍapa means "pavilion".

This beautiful wooden pavilion was rebuilt in 1596 and had three floors. It was made completely from wood, without using any iron nails or supports. Legends say that all the wood used to build it came from just one tree. Even today, Buddhist priests use the name Kāṣṭhamaṇḍap in their prayers. Sometimes, the city was also called Kāntipur, which means "City of light" in Sanskrit.

History

Main articles: History of Kathmandu and Timeline of Kathmandu

Archaeological digs in Kathmandu have uncovered clues about ancient cultures. One of the oldest finds is a statue from the year 185 AD, found in Maligaon. Excavations at Dhando Chaitya revealed a brick with writing in Brahmi script, believed to be about two thousand years old. Stone writings are common at historic sites and help us learn about Nepal’s past.

The earliest known visit by a Westerner was by Portuguese Jesuit Father Joao Cabral in 1628. He traveled through the Kathmandu Valley and met the king at the time on his journey from Tibet to India.

Legends and myths tell stories about Kathmandu. One tale says the city was once a large lake home to mythical creatures. A Buddhist leader named Manjushri drained the lake to create space for people. Later, a king named Krishna helped drain the water again and brought people to live there.

From around 400 AD, the Licchavi people ruled the area. They built the city of Kathmandu and made it a key stop for traders traveling between India and Tibet. This brought growth and new ideas. Artists from Kathmandu became famous, and their work spread across Asia.

The Malla rulers who followed also made Kathmandu important. The valley had four main cities, each with its own leaders. They built many temples and public spaces and supported arts and learning.

In more recent times, Kathmandu became the capital of modern Nepal. New buildings showed European styles, and schools and hospitals were established. The city played a big role in Nepal’s move toward democracy. In 2025, Kathmandu faced challenges including a small earthquake and protests about social media rules and government issues.

Geography

Kathmandu is located in the northwestern part of the Kathmandu Valley, north of the Bagmati River. It covers an area of 50.7 km² (19.6 sq mi) and sits at an average elevation of 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) above sea level. The city is surrounded by several other nearby places, such as Lalitpur Metropolitan City to the south and Bhaktapur to the southwest.

The city is home to many rivers, with the Bagmati being the main one. Other important rivers include the Bishnumati. These rivers come from mountains that are between 1,500 and 3,000 metres tall. The area around Kathmandu has many trees like oak, elm, beech, and maple.

Demographics

Kathmandu is the largest city in Nepal. In 2021, about 845,767 people lived in the city, with many more living in the surrounding areas. Most people in Kathmandu are between 15 and 59 years old.

The main language spoken in Kathmandu is Nepali, but many other languages are also used, such as Newari, Tamang, and English. The largest group of people in Kathmandu are the native Newars, followed by the Bahuns and Chhetri.

Hinduism and Buddhism are the main religions practiced in Kathmandu. Important Hindu temples include the Pashupatinath Temple and Changu Narayan Temple. Buddhism has a long history in the city, with many traditional monasteries still present today. Other religions such as Sikhism, Jainism, the Baháʼí Faith, and Christianity are also practiced by smaller communities.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Kathmandu

Kathmandu's location and terrain have helped it build a strong economy over many years. The city sits in a fertile valley, which made farming easy. Being between India and China, it also became an important trading place. Traders from Kathmandu, known as Lhasa Newar, have traveled across the Himalayas, sharing art and Buddhism with other parts of Asia. Today, Kathmandu is Nepal's main business and industry center. It is home to important offices like the Nepal Stock Exchange, the national bank, and many other companies. Busy areas such as New Road, Durbar Marg, Ason, and Putalisadak are key spots for business.

Tourism is a big part of Kathmandu's economy. Many people visit each year to see famous places like Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Changu Narayan Temple, and Budhanilkantha Temple. The city has many hotels, restaurants, and shops, especially in the busy area of Thamel. After Nepal opened up to tourists in 1950, the hotel industry grew quickly. Kathmandu is also known for making beautiful handmade goods like carpets, clothing, and paper, which are sold both locally and around the world.

Main article: Tourism in Kathmandu

Government and public services

The Kathmandu Municipal Corporation (KMC) is in charge of running the city. It was upgraded to a metropolitan city in 1995 and is divided into five sectors: Central, East, North, City Core, and West. The city is also split into 32 administrative wards, each with its own representatives who help make decisions for the area.

The main law enforcement agency in Kathmandu is the Metropolitan Police, which is part of the Nepal Police and reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The city also has a fire service that began in 1937 with one vehicle and has grown over the years. Electricity in Kathmandu is managed by the Nepal Electricity Authority, while water supply is handled by Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited. However, the city faces serious water shortages, and many people rely on bottled water, water trucks, and old water sources called dhunge dharas. Efforts are ongoing to improve water supply through projects like the Melamchi Water Supply Project.

Architecture and cityscape

Main article: Architecture of Kathmandu

Kathmandu's location on an ancient trade route between India and Tibet brought together many different artistic and building styles. This mix of cultures helped shape the city's unique look. The city's many important buildings and temples reflect both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

Kathmandu's most important historic areas were named World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 2006. These include three main squares filled with old palaces and temples, as well as several famous temples and a large Buddhist monument. These places show how skilled builders from different times created beautiful structures that still stand today.

Education

Kathmandu is home to some of the oldest and most important schools and colleges in Nepal. The oldest modern school in the country, Durbar High School, and the oldest college, Tri-Chandra College, are both located in Kathmandu. The city also has the oldest engineering college, Thapathali Campus. Because of this, many students from across Nepal come to Kathmandu each year to study at its many schools and colleges.

Healthcare

Healthcare in Kathmandu is the most developed in Nepal, and the city has some of the best hospitals and clinics in the country. Bir Hospital is the oldest, established in July 1889. Other important hospitals include Bir Hospital, Nepal Medical College (Jorpati), Patan Hospital, Kathmandu Model Hospital, and many more.

The city also has special hospitals and clinics for specific needs, such as eye care, children’s health, and more. The Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology is known for making affordable lenses used in eye surgeries. Many medical colleges are located in and around Kathmandu, with the Institute of Medicine being the first, founded in 1972. Other colleges include Kathmandu Medical College and several others nearby.

Transport

Kathmandu has many roads that help people travel and support jobs like farming and tourism. Important roads connect Kathmandu to places like India, China, and other parts of Nepal. Buses and smaller vehicles often carry passengers around the city.

The main airport in Kathmandu is Tribhuvan International Airport, which offers flights both inside and outside Nepal. Many planes that fly there are smaller types used for short trips, but bigger planes also land when they can.

Mountaineering

Ropeways and cable cars

Ropeways in Nepal are a special way to travel in hilly areas. There used to be a ropeway between Kathmandu and Hetauda that was 43 km long, but it stopped working because it couldn't carry enough things or get the right care. Long ago, during the Rana time, another ropeway was built from Matatirtha in Kathmandu to Dhorsing in Makwanpur District, and it was over 22 km long. Today, you can take cable cars from Kathmandu up to the Chandragiri Hills.

Media

Kathmandu is the main place for television in Nepal. Nepal Television, which started in 1984, is the oldest and most popular channel. Other channels include NTV PLUS, Kantipur Television, Image Channel, Sagarmatha Television, Himalaya TV, and AP1 TV.

Many important news papers have their main offices in Kathmandu, such as the government-owned Gorkhapatra, one of the oldest daily papers in Nepal, along with The Kathmandu Post, Nepali Times, Kantipur Publications, Naya Patrika, and The Himalayan Times.

Radio Nepal runs several radio stations, including Hits FM and Radio Kantipur. The BBC also broadcasts from Kathmandu, and there are local community radio stations as well.

Sports

Cricket, football, and volleyball are very popular sports among young people in Nepal, and Kathmandu has several stadiums. The largest stadium is the Dasharath Rangasala, a multi-purpose stadium mostly used for football matches and cultural events. It was built in 1956 and can hold 25,000 spectators. Every year, the Martyr's Memorial League is held there. The stadium was renovated with help from China before the 8th South Asian Games were held in Kathmandu in 1999, and floodlights were added.

Kathmandu is also home to some of Nepal's oldest football clubs, such as Ranipokhari Corner Team, Sankata Club, and New Road Team. Other well-known clubs include Manang Marsyangdi Club, Machhindra FC, Tribhuvan Army Club, and Nepal Police Club. The city also has old cricket clubs, and Kathmandu Gorkhas represents Kathmandu in the Nepal Premier League.

International relations and organizations

Kathmandu set up an International Relations Secretariat to help build friendships with cities around the world. The city’s first friendship began in 1975 with Eugene, Oregon, United States. Since then, Kathmandu has made friends with 15 more cities: Matsumoto in Japan, Rochester, Fredericksburg, and Boulder in the United States, Yangon in Myanmar, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Lhasa, Nanjing, Lanzhou in China, Minsk in Belarus, Varanasi in India, Seoul in South Korea, and Pyongyang in North Korea.

Kathmandu works hard to connect with other countries in South Asia and many big cities worldwide. This helps improve the city and its programs. The city is home to important groups like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Nepal

Kathmandu is twinned with:

Proposed sister cities

• Bangkok, Thailand

Notable people

Kathmandu has been home to many important figures throughout history. These individuals have contributed to various fields such as politics, arts, and culture, making a lasting impact on both Nepal and the world. Their stories show the rich heritage and diverse talents that come from this vibrant city.