Nepal and Bhutan Political Geography

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. World Encyclopedia Further reading

Katmandu

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

Katmandu or Kathmandu , city (1991 pop. 421,258), capital of Nepal, central Nepal, c.4,500 ft (1,370 m) above sea level, in a fertile valley of the E Himalayas. It is the administrative, business, and commercial center of Nepal, and lies astride an ancient trade and pilgrim route from India to Tibet, China, and Mongolia. Originally ruled by the Newars, Katmandu became independent in the 15th cent. and was captured in 1768 by the Gurkhas, who made it their capital. In the late 18th cent. the city became the seat of a British resident. Following the 1951 downfall of the Rana prince ministership, Katmandu experienced an influx of Western tourists, many of them mountain climbers. Tourism and trade with India led to a rapid increase in Katmandu's population and to the expansion of paved streets and sewage systems. More recently, luxury hotels and casinos have drawn tourists from India. Landmarks include the elaborate royal palace (now a museum), palaces of the politically dominant Rana family, several pagoda-shaped temples, and many Sanskrit libraries. Katmandu also has a number of colleges.

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Katmandu

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Katmandu (Kathmandu) Capital of Nepal, situated c.1370m (4500ft) above sea level in a valley of the Himalayas. Founded in ad 723, it was independent from the 15th century to 1768, when Gurkhas captured it. Katmandu is Nepal's administrative, commercial, and religious centre. Pop. (2001) 696,852.

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"Katmandu." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Katmandu.html

"Katmandu." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Katmandu.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	The bounty of Katmandu: books.(THE HOME FORUM) Newspaper article from: The Christian Science Monitor; 4/20/2007
	Rebel blockade stalls Katmandu; Shops closed, staple prices soar.(WORLD) Newspaper article from: The Washington Times (Washington, DC); 8/23/2004
	Katmandu Kashmir Conference as welcomed Singh towards Kashmir solution. News Wire article from: PPI - Pakistan Press International; 12/15/2004