According to abbreviationfinder, Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal. It was founded in the 8th century. by King Guna Kama Deva. It is located in the center of the country, on the fertile valley of the same name, right at the confluence of the Bagmati and Vishnumati rivers. More than 1,400,000 people live in Kathmandu, mainly of Indian origin and whose majority religion is Hinduism.

The 25 of April of 2015 occurs the devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was registered at 06:11 GMT, and its epicenter was located in the Lamjung district 81 kilometers northwest of the capital, Kathmandu, and at a depth of 15 kilometers. The death toll exceeded 8,700 and the total injured 20,000, not including the total missing, which amounted to 273 people, including 80 foreigners. Most of the deceased were concentrated in the districts of Sindhupalchowk, north of the Nepalese capital, and in the administrative district of Kathmandu, while other people died in Nuwakot ^{[1] [2] [3]} . The Nepal’s National Emergency Operations Center indicated that the earthquake totally destroyed 10,744 buildings and caused partial damage to 14,741. The number of irrecoverable houses exceeded 191,000, while another 175,000 suffered serious damage ^[4] . The government estimated that some $ 2 billion would be required for reconstruction. The earthquake caused widespread destruction throughout the country and extensive material damage. A significant part of the most emblematic and historical buildings of the so-called Kathmandu Valley, declared a World Heritage Site, were reduced to rubble.

Geography

Nepal is the country of the Himalayas, the mountain range where Mount Everest is located, the highest peak on Earth. The deep valleys and alpine lakes are the keynote of a rugged landscape full of beauty. The impressive Himalayan range is Nepal’s greatest natural attraction. In addition, the crystal clear waters of Lake Kathmandu offer the visitor a beautiful picture.

Location

Kathmandu is located in the center of the country, on the fertile valley of the same name, more than 1,300 m above sea level and right at the confluence of the Bagmati and Vishnumati rivers.

Climate

Kathmandu’s climate is a fairly rigid continental climate, with heavy rains in the summer months.

Demography

The population of Nepal suffers from a deep division between peoples of Mongolian origin and those of Indo-Aryan origin, which determines languages, religions and cultures. This division does not mean that the two groups cannot coexist peacefully. In Kathmandu live more than 1,400,000 people, mainly of Indian origin and whose majority religion is Hinduism. See population of Nepal.

Economic development

Kathmandu’s economy is largely powered by agriculture (rice, millet, wheat, potatoes, jute), forestry exports and livestock. An incipient tourist industry is beginning to develop quite successfully in the capital.

Sightseeing

Places of interest

The entire city and its surroundings are dotted with a multitude of temples such as the Kasthamandap, Ashok Vinayak, Akash Bhairab, Bhadrakali or Sankhu ensembles that give it an extremely picturesque appearance. In addition, some places such as the Bodnath Sanctuary, the National Museum of Nepal and the Royal Palace (1576) are of great interest, which allows tourists to access some of its rooms.

Culture

Crafts

You can find typical caps, called topis that Nepalese must wear when visiting an official place, knitted gloves, woolen socks, cotton shirts and Tibetan dresses that are buttoned at the side. Red, black and orange polka dot shawls are typical, as are multi-colored jackets.

Gastronomy

The staple food is rice which is usually accompanied by dhal, lentil soup, vegetables seasoned with curries and meat. Chapatis, fried pancakes are also eaten with meals. The most popular meats are pork, goat, chicken, buffalo and yak, never cow, since this animal is sacred just like in India. Sweets can be bought from street stalls or in grocery stores. To drink, in addition to milk, Nepalese people usually drink tea, with a very strong flavor, so milk or spices are added. Charg, the Tibetan beer, also has a strong flavor.

Holidays and traditions

Nepalese celebrate their National Day on February 18.

Religion

Religion: 90% Hindu, There are also Buddhists, Muslims, among other religions

Transport

To travel to Nepal you need a passport and visa. The passport must have a minimum validity of six months and with the tourist visa you can only access the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and its surroundings. The best way to get to the country is by plane as there are flights from the main international airports.

Once in the country, the best way to get to know it and tour its peaks is by plane or helicopter, from where the traveler will enjoy splendid views. The buses are also common, comfortable and affordable, even for short trips are advised to use the taxi.

Illustrious people

The most important character in Kathmandu is Gyanendra, the King of Nepal. He ascended the throne on June 4, 2001.

According to a2zgov, Nepal is among the poorest countries in the world. A crucial step towards progress is a showdown with discriminatory societal structures that restrict women, ethnic groups and people from lower castes.

FACTS ABOUT NEPAL

Population: 29,717,587 million inhabitants (2018)

Proportion of population below national poverty line: 25 percent

Can read and write: Men: 76.4 percent Women: 53.1 (2015)

Life expectancy: Men: 70.6 Women: 72 (2018)

Location measured by prosperity and development: 149 out of 189 countries (Human Development Index 2018)

GDP per capita (2016): $ 2.5 (number 199 out of 230)

On an elongated strip of land between India and China, 29 million people live in the mountainous nation of Nepal . The country is among the poorest in the world.

Discrimination, stereotypical gender roles and a hierarchical structure of society are crucial obstacles in the pursuit of prosperity and prosperity. In many places in Nepal, the caste system is rigidly maintained, making some people from birth considered less valuable than others. There are also a large number of ethnic minorities in the country, some of whom rank high in the social order, while others are hardly considered full citizens of the state of Nepal . For example, they end up at the back of the queue at the health clinics and have to fight to ensure a proper schooling for their children.

As in many other developing countries, many people seek out the big city to try to improve their living situation. This has led to large slums in the capital Kathmandu, where residents are struggling to be evicted from their humble homes, but also fighting discrimination and the stigma associated with living in a slum.

Inter-People’s Cooperation collaborates with local Nepalese organizations. We bring together poor people in village groups who work to gain access to public pools for local development and to hold government officials accountable for providing proper schooling and health services to all Nepalese citizens. The village groups not least give women the opportunity to step out of the men’s all-dominating shadow.

Inter-People’s Cooperation in Nepal also helps to give a voice to young people in Nepal who are passionate about creating a more just society. This is done through Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke’s international youth network Activista.

DEMOCRATIC EFFORTS

Nepal is taking small steps towards a more democratic society. In 2008, a historic election put an end to a 10-year civil war started by Maoist rebels, and the new parliament definitively abolished the kingdom of Nepal. Thus also began a process of writing a new constitution to provide better conditions for Dalits (people from the lower castes), ethnic minorities and women.

In 2017, elections have been held in the country’s provinces for the first time since 1997. And although the elections have been surrounded by some chaos, they show that the democratic process in Nepal is, after all, back on track.

SHOCKING SETBACK

In April 2015, the already fragile mountain nation was shaken by a violent earthquake . About 9,000 people lost their lives, 602,257 homes were destroyed and a further 285,099 homes and buildings, as well as much of the country’s infrastructure, were damaged.

Reconstruction is still slow and there is still a risk of buildings collapsing. The reconstruction has been pulled out, i.a. because the government has hesitated to pay the promised subsidies to the people who lost their homes.

Inter-People’s Cooperation was present with emergency relief after the earthquake . The effort has helped more than 133,000 people with i.a. temporary housing, temporary training centers, hygiene kits and grain silos.

The youth network Activista helped mobilize young Nepalese who helped in the chaotic weeks and months after the earthquake.

Today, we continue to work on a reconstruction program that puts local communities at the forefront of comprehensive efforts. The program runs until 2018, and will hopefully help to get the country back on its feet.

And hopefully more than that.