Kathmandu, Nepal

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Kathmandu is the capital and largest metropolitan city of Nepal. The city is the urban core of the Kathmandu Valley in the Himalayas, which also contains two sister cities namely Patan or Lalitpur, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to its southeast and Bhaktapur, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) to its east. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped valley in central Nepal surrounded by four major mountains, namely: Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri. It is inhabited by 671,846 (2001) people. The city’s rich history is nearly 2000 years old, as inferred from an inscription in the valley. Its religious affiliations are dominantly Hindu followed by Buddhism. People of other religious beliefs also live in Kathmandu giving it a cosmopolitan culture. Nepali is the common language of the city, though many speak the Nepal Bhasa Newari as it is the center of the Newar people and culture. English is understood by all of the educated population of the city. The literacy rate is 98% in the city.

Attractions/Sightseeing:

• Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Mani Wheel (Prayer wheel) in Swayambhunath (the monkey temple)
• Boudhanath Stupa (Center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal)
• Pashupatinath temple
• Pullahari Monastery
• Kopan Monastery
• Hanuman Dhoka Square
• Thamel
• Patan Durbar Square