# Kathmandu

> capital of Nepal

**Wikidata**: [Q3037](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3037)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathmandu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kathmandu

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Kathmandu (काठमाडौं)
- **Country**: Nepal
- **Classification**: Capital city, largest city, municipality, federal capital
- **Population**: 845,767 (2021 census)
- **Area**: 49.45 square kilometers (49,450,000 square meters)
- **Coordinates**: 27.71°N latitude, 85.32°E longitude
- **Elevation**: 1,300 meters above sea level
- **Time Zone**: UTC+05:45 (Nepal Standard Time)
- **Founding**: Inception date 723 CE
- **Official Language**: Nepali
- **Postal Code**: 44600
- **Local Dialing Code**: 01
- **Demonym**: Katmandais (masculine singular), Katmandaise (feminine singular)
- **UN/LOCODE**: NPKTM
- **Head of Government**: Balen Shah (Mayor, since May 30, 2022)
- **Location**: Kathmandu District
- **Water Bodies**: Bisnumati River, Bagmati River
- **Administrative Code (HASC)**: NP.MM.KT
- **WOEID**: 2269179

## FAQs

**What is Kathmandu's population and area?**
Kathmandu has a population of 845,767 according to the 2021 census and covers an area of approximately 49.45 square kilometers.

**What organizations is Kathmandu a member of?**
Kathmandu is a member of the League of Historical Cities, the World Tourism Cities Federation, and the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

**What are the twin cities of Kathmandu?**
Kathmandu is twinned with Isfahan (Iran), Pyongyang (North Korea), Xi'an (China), Chengdu (China - since April 29, 2016), Eugene (USA), and Matsumoto (Japan).

**What rivers flow through Kathmandu?**
The city is located near the Bisnumati River and the Bagmati River.

**What is Kathmandu's official website and social media presence?**
The official website is https://kathmandu.gov.np/ (in Nepali). The city maintains social media presence on Twitter (@ktm_metro) and Facebook (kathmandumetropolitan).

## Why It Matters
Kathmandu serves as the political, administrative, and cultural heart of Nepal. As the nation's capital and largest city, it houses the central government and serves as the primary hub for commerce, education, and healthcare in the country. The city's historical significance is underscored by its membership in the League of Historical Cities and the Organization of World Heritage Cities, reflecting its rich cultural heritage. Kathmandu's unique time zone (UTC+05:45) distinguishes it globally, and its founding in 723 CE makes it one of the older continuously inhabited urban centers in South Asia. The city plays a crucial role in Nepal's tourism industry, with its designation as the "City of Temples" highlighting its religious and architectural importance.

## Notable For
- **Unique Time Zone**: Uses UTC+05:45, one of the few time zones offset by 45 minutes from UTC
- **Historical Significance**: Founded in 723 CE, making it over 1,300 years old
- **Cultural Heritage**: Known as the "City of Temples" and a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities
- **Multiple Names**: Known by various names including Kantipur, Yen, Yambu, Kasthamandap, and Kathmandu Valley
- **International Recognition**: Featured as a city-state in the video game Civilization V
- **High Elevation**: Situated at 1,300 meters above sea level in the Kathmandu Valley
- **Linguistic Diversity**: Wikipedia articles available in over 180 languages
- **Global Connectivity**: Maintains sister city relationships with six cities across Asia and North America

## Body

### Geography and Location
Kathmandu is located in the Kathmandu District of Nepal at coordinates 27.71°N latitude and 85.32°E longitude. The city sits at an elevation of 1,300 meters above sea level within the Kathmandu Valley, a bowl-shaped valley in the Himalayan foothills. The city is situated near two significant water bodies: the Bisnumati River and the Bagmati River. The total administrative area encompasses 49.45 square kilometers (49,450,000 square meters).

### Demographics and Administration
According to the 2021 census conducted through official determination methods, Kathmandu has a population of 845,767 residents. The city operates under the administrative structure of Kathmandu Metropolitan City with Balen Shah serving as the head of government (mayor) since May 30, 2022. The official language is Nepali, and residents are referred to as Katmandais (masculine singular) or Katmandaise (feminine singular). The city uses postal code 44600 and local dialing code 01.

### Historical Background
The city was founded in 723 CE, establishing it as one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban centers in the region. Kathmandu holds membership in the League of Historical Cities, reflecting its centuries-old heritage. The city has been documented in various historical encyclopedias and sources, including The Nuttall Encyclopædia (as "Khatmandu") and the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia. The native name for the city is "काठमांडौ" in Devanagari script, with traditional names including "𑐫𑐾𑑃 𑐡𑐾𑐫𑑂 / येँ देय्" in Nepal Bhasa.

### International Relations and Memberships
Kathmandu maintains active membership in three major international city organizations: the League of Historical Cities, the World Tourism Cities Federation, and the Organization of World Heritage Cities. The city has established sister city relationships with six municipalities worldwide:
- Isfahan (Iran)
- Pyongyang (North Korea)
- Xi'an (China)
- Chengdu (China) - partnership established April 29, 2016
- Eugene (United States)
- Matsumoto (Japan)

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
The city maintains an official website at https://kathmandu.gov.np/ (in Nepali language) and active social media accounts on Twitter (@ktm_metro) and Facebook (kathmandumetropolitan). Kathmandu has extensive digital identifiers across multiple platforms and databases, including:
- VIAF ID: 158284130
- GeoNames ID: 1283240
- BabelNet ID: 00015585n
- OpenStreetMap Relation ID: 12394677
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n81047119
- Bibliothèque nationale de France ID: 11940435f
- Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID: 1083294

The city's Wikipedia presence spans over 180 language editions, demonstrating global recognition and documentation.

### Cultural and Touristic Significance
Kathmandu appears in various cultural and educational contexts, including its representation as a city-state in the video game Civilization V. The city has been assigned hashtags in both Nepali (#काठमाडौँ) and English (#Kathmandu). Tourism-related identifiers include TripAdvisor ID 293890 and Routard.com place ID 2169. The city's cultural institutions are catalogued in the Art & Architecture Thesaurus (ID: 300018838) and Grove Art Online (ID: T045989).

### Infrastructure and Services
The city operates with the UN/LOCODE NPKTM for logistics and shipping purposes. It maintains an Open Data portal (Open Data Kathmandu) for public information access. The administrative classification uses HASC code NP.MM.KT and WOEID 2269179 for geographic identification systems. Emergency and public services utilize various specialized identifiers including a SNARC ID for swimming pool facilities.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.gochengdu.cn/news/our-sister-cities/sister-cities-of-chengdu/kathmandu-a2888.html?xcSID=04j06l2e0bo8q3o2mh7ud63pm2)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.lhc-s.org/member_cities/index.php)
4. [Source](https://cn.wtcf.org.cn/citys/3415-2.html)
5. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
6. [Source](https://www-britannica-com.translate.goog/place/Kathmandu)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. MusicBrainz
10. [2021 Nepal census](https://citypopulation.de/en/nepal/mun/admin/)
11. [Source](https://kathmandu.gov.np)
12. [Source](https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/no_106_janv-mars_2009_cle446315.pdf)
13. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
14. GeoNames
15. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-491rtp/Katmandu/?zoom=19&center=27.7026%2C85.31724&popup=27.70271%2C85.31726)
16. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
17. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands