Kathmandu District

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Kathmandu
काठमाडौं
District
Location of Kathmandu District in Bagmati Zone
Country    Nepal
Region Central (Madhyamanchal)
Zone Bagmati
Headquarters Kathmandu
Area
 • Total 395 km2 (153 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 1,744,240
 • Density 4,400/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
Time zone NPT (UTC+5:45)
Main language(s) Nepal Bhasa, Nepali
Website Official website

Kathmandu District (Nepali: काठमाडौं जिल्ला Listen (help·info), (Nepal Bhasa: येँ जिल्ला) is a district located in Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati Zone of Nepal, a landlocked country in South Asia. It is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, covers an area of 395 km2 and is the most densely populated district of Nepal with a population of 1,081,845 in 2001 and 1,744,240 in 2011. The district's headquarters is Kathmandu City, also the capital of Nepal.[1]

Geography

Kathmandu district is one of the three districts located in Kathmandu valley, which itself is located in the hills of Bagmati zone, Central Development Region, Nepal. The district is located from 27'27"E to 27'49"E and 85'10"N 85'32"N.[2]

The district is surrounded by-

  • East: Bhaktapur district and Kabhrepalanchok district
  • West: Dhading and Nuwakot districts
  • North: Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok districts
  • South: Lalitpur and Makwanpur districts

The altitude of the district ranges between 1262 m. to 2732 m. above the sea level.[2]

Climate

Geography and Climate

Climate Zone[3] Elevation Range % of Area
Subtropical 1,000 to 2,000 meters
3,300 to 6,600 ft.		 88.2%
Temperate 2,000 to 3,000 meters
6,400 to 9,800 ft.		 11.8%

In the urban center the temperature fluctuates between 32C in summer (June–July) to -2C in winter (December–January).[2] Annual rainfall of the district is 176.4 ml.[2]

Culture

Kathmandu district is a part of Kathmandu valley which is the melting pot of various cultural groups, ethnicities, races, languages and religions. This vibrant culture is illustrated in the culture of the natives of the district, known as Newars, which is a multiethnic, multiracial, multireligious group bound by a Sanskritized Sino-Tibetan language of Kirat origins known as Nepal Bhasa. All the ancient settlements of the district have specific jatras or street festivals arranged according to specific dates of Nepal Sambat calendar. The main festivals celebrated in this district are-

  • Yanya Punhi, literally meaning Kathmandu's full moon, a week long festival during the Yenla (the month of Kathmandu) of Nepal Sambat, a festival started by Gunakamadev, the founder of Kathmandu city to commemorate the establishment of city.
  • Gunla, a month in which musical bands and ordinary people make pilgrimage to Swayambhunath temple
  • Mohani or Dashain, the main festival of Nepal, celebrated by visiting the various Shaktipeeths around the city
  • Shivaratri, a very special festival in which people make small fire all around the city and take different types of toxic in order to so love to the lord SIVA
  • Buddha Jayanti
  • Sa Paru, a comic festival to commemorate the dead relatives, celebrated during the full moon of Goon la.
  • Chatha, the birthday of Lord Ganesha of Hindu pantheon
  • Holi
  • Pahan Chare, a festival of Animist origin celebrated by procession of matriarchs of Kathmandu
  • Shree Panchami, in the past children used to formally start education on this day. Presently, deities of wisdom, Saraswati and Manjushree (the mythological founder of the valley) are worshipped on this day
  • Swanti or Tihar, a five-day festival, the third day of which is called Laxmi Puja, when the families do their annual financial calculation and the next day marks the New Year according to Nepalese calendar, Nepal Sambat.

Along with these festivals, with the influx of population from other parts of Nepal, India, Tibet and South Asia, other festivals such as Teej, Chhath, Sakela, Lhosar, Janai Purnima, Deuda etc. are also celebrated.

Economy

Most of the offices and industry of Nepal are in Kathmandu. The major economic hubs are New Road, Durbar Marg, Putalisadak. The district exports handicrafts, artworks, garments, pashmina, paper etc. Tourism is one of the main industries of the district. Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world visit various religious places located in the district such as Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Baudhanath, Buddhanilkantha etc. Freak Street and Thamel are noted tourist destinations for Western tourists.

Education

Kathmandu district is the pioneer district in education in many aspects in Nepal. Durbar High School (the first school of Nepal), Trichandra College (the first college of Nepal), Padma Kanya College (the first women's college) are all located in Kathmandu city. Tribhuwan University, the first university of Nepal, is located in Kirtipur municipality of Kathmandu district. Besides these, thousands of educational institutions are located in the district which cater students from Nepal, India, Bangladesh etc.

Administration

Map of the VDCs in Kathmandu District

The district is regulated by District Development Committee. The district consists of 57 VDCs, 1 metropolitan city and one municipality. These are as follows: Kathmandu · Aalapot · Baad Bhanjyang · Bajrayogini · Balambu · Baluwa · Bhadrabas · Bhimdhunga · Budanilkantha · Chalnakhel · Chapali Bhadrakali · Chhaimale · Chobhar, Nepal · Chouketar Dahachok · Chunikhel · Daanchhi · Daxinkali · Dhapasi · Dharmasthali · Futung · Gapalphedi · Gokarna · Goldhunga · Gonggabu · Gothatar · Ichankhu Narayan · Indrayani · Jhor Mahankal · Jitpurphedi · Jorpati · Kabhresthali · Kapan · Khadka Bhadrakali · Kirtipur Chitubihar · Koteswor · Lapsiphedi · Machhegaun · Mahadevsthan, Kathmandu · Mahankal · Manmaiju · Matatirtha · Mulpani · Naglebhare · Naikap Naya Bhanjyang · Naikap Purano Bhanjyang · Nayapati · Pukhulachhi · Ramkot  · Sangla · Satungal  · Seuchatar · Sheshnarayan · Sitapaila · Sokhek · Sundarijal · Suntol · Talkududechour  · Thankot · Tinthana  · Tokha Chandeswori · Tokha Sarswoti

Demographics

The total population of the district is 1,744,240 out of which 913,001 are male and 831,239 female in 436,344 households. Average family size in 2001 was 4.6, in 2011 4,0.[4]

Hospitals

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://census.gov.np/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 DDC Kathmandu
  3. ↑ The Map of Potential Vegetation of Nepal - a forestry/agroecological/biodiversity classification system, . Forest & Landscape Development and Environment Series 2-2005 and CFC-TIS Document Series No.110., 2005, ISBN 87-7803-210-9, retrieved Nov 22, 2013 
  4. ↑ DDC Kathmandu statistical report

External links

Nepal

Coordinates: 27°42′N 85°20′E / 27.700°N 85.333°E / 27.700; 85.333

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