Capital of Nepal: Kathmandu — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Nepal is Kathmandu. Nepal sits in Asia, has a population of 30,547,580, and uses the NPR. Official languages include Nepali.
Quick facts
- Capital: Kathmandu
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~30,547,580
- Area: 147,181 km²
- Population density: 208 people per km²
- Official language: Nepali
- Currency: NPR
- ISO code: NP
How big is Nepal?
By population, Nepal ranks 49th in the world, holding roughly 0.38% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 93rd.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Nepal has 208 people per square kilometre, which is about 3.5 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Nepal is the 20th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Nepal in population are Madagascar (29,611,714) and Venezuela (28,301,696).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Bangladesh (147,570 km²) and Tajikistan (143,100 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Nepali is listed as an official language of Nepal alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Nepal uses the NPR, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Nepal
Kathmandu is in the Kathmandu Valley, in the middle of the country: say it as 'Kath-man-DO'. For the flag, look for two red pennants stacked on top of each other, with the moon in the upper one and the sun in the lower one.
The flag of Nepal: crimson red, blue and white
🇳🇵 The flag is two stacked triangular pennants in crimson with a blue border, a white moon in the upper one and a white 12-pointed sun in the lower one. Red stands for the rhododendron, the national flower, and for bravery; the blue border for peace. The two triangles once stood for the Himalayas and now for Hinduism and Buddhism. The moon and sun stand for the cool mountains and the warmer lowlands.
Region and neighbours
Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, mainly in the Himalayas, between China to the north and India to the south. It shares land borders with 2 countries: China and India. Nepal is landlocked, with no coast on the open ocean.
Three facts about Nepal
- Nepal has eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest.
- Nepal's flag is the only non-rectangular national flag in the world, and the only one that is taller than it is wide.
- Lumbini in Nepal is the Buddha's birthplace according to Buddhist tradition.
Sources: Wikipedia: Nepal, Wikipedia: Flag of Nepal, Wikipedia: Kathmandu, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Nepal
- Asian capitals quiz — match Nepal to Kathmandu
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Nepal flag among its neighbours
- Landlocked countries quiz — Nepal has no sea coast
Nepal capital quiz
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Nepal in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Nepal belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Nepal?
The capital of Nepal is Kathmandu.
What is the population of Nepal?
About 30,547,580, making it the 49th most populous country in the world.
How big is Nepal?
147,181 square kilometres, ranking 93rd by land area, at a density of 208 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Nepal use?
The NPR, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Nepal flag?
The flag of Nepal is two stacked triangular pennants in crimson with a blue border, a white moon in the upper one and a white 12-pointed sun in the lower one. Red stands for the rhododendron, the national flower, and for bravery; the blue border for peace. The two triangles once stood for the Himalayas and now for Hinduism and Buddhism. The moon and sun stand for the cool mountains and the warmer lowlands.
Which countries border Nepal?
Nepal shares land borders with China and India.
How can I remember the capital of Nepal?
Kathmandu is in the Kathmandu Valley, in the middle of the country: say it as 'Kath-man-DO'. For the flag, look for two red pennants stacked on top of each other, with the moon in the upper one and the sun in the lower one.
More capitals to learn
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