Kathmandu Valley
The Kathmandu Valley (काठमाडौं उपत्यका), also known as the Nepal Valley or Nepa Valley (नेपाः उपत्यका), is a bowl-shaped valley located in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal. It lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of the Indian subcontinent and the broader Asian continent, and has over 100 important monuments, including pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists.
In modern times, the Kathmandu Valley is a large urban agglomerationwith a population of about 5 million people, incorporating the modern cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Changunarayan, Budhanilkantha, and many others. The Valley is the economic hub of Nepal.
Kathmandu Valley itself was referred to as "Nepal Proper" by British historians.
Historically, the Kathmandu Valley was ruled by the Licchavis from 400 to 750 CE, with ties to the Gupta Empire of India. The Mallas ruled the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding area from the 12th until the 18th century CE, when the Shah dynasty of the Gorkha Kingdom under conquered the valley as he created present-day Nepal.
The Newars are the indigenous inhabitants and the creators of the historic civilization of the valley. They are known for their contributions to art, sculpture, architecture, culture, literature, music, industry, trade, agriculture and cuisine, and have left their mark on the art of Central Asia. Their language is today known as Nepal Bhasa.
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