Pokhara
Pokhara (Nepali: पोखरा, Nepali pronunciation: [ˈpokʰʌɾa]) is a metropolitan city in central Nepal, which serves as the capital of Gandaki Province.[4] It is the second most populous city of Nepal after Kathmandu, with 518,452 inhabitants living in 101,669 households in 2021.[3] It is the country's largest metropolitan city in terms of area. The city also serves as the headquarters of Kaski District.[5] Pokhara is located 200 kilometres (120 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu. The city is on the shore of Phewa Lake, and sits at an elevation of approximately 822m.[6] The Annapurna Range, with three out of the ten highest peaks in the world—Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu—is within 15–35 mi (24–56 km) of the valley.[7][8]
Pokhara
पोखरा | |
|---|---|
    Clockwise from top: Annapurna mountain range reflected in Phewa lake, Hot Air Ballooning in Pokhara, Boats in Phew Lake and Pokhara Shanti Stupa | |
| Nickname: City of lakes | |
| Motto(s): Clean Pokhara, Green Pokhara | |
  Pokhara Location in Province  Pokhara Pokhara (Nepal)  Pokhara Pokhara (Asia) | |
| Coordinates: 28°12′30″N 83°59′20″E | |
| Country |  Nepal |
| Province | Gandaki Province |
| District | Kaski District |
| Incorporated | 1962 |
| No. of Wards | 33 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| • Body | Pokhara Metropolitan City Council |
| • Mayor | Dhana Raj Acharya, CPN (Unified Socialist)[1] |
| • Deputy mayor | Manju Devi Gurung, CPN(UML)[2] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 464.24 km2 (179.24 sq mi) |
| • Water | 4.4 km2 (1.7 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 1st |
| Elevation | 822 m (2,697 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 518,452 |
| • Rank | 2nd |
| • Density | 1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi) |
| • Households | 101,669 (2nd most) |
| Demonym | Pokhareli |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Nepali and (Other Language) |
| Ethnicities | |
| • Ethnicities | Bahun, Gurung, Chhetri, Magar, Newar, |
| Time zone | UTC+5:45 (NST) |
| Postal Codes | 33700 (WRPD), 33702, 33704, 33706, 33708, 33713 |
| Area code | 061 |
| Website | pokharamun |
Pokhara is considered the tourism capital of Nepal,[9] being a base for trekkers undertaking the Annapurna Circuit through the Annapurna Conservation Area region[10] of the Annapurna ranges in the Himalayas. The city is also home to many of the elite Gurkha soldiers, soldiers native to South Asia of Nepalese nationality recruited for the British Army, Nepalese Army, Indian Army, Gurkha Contingent Singapore, Gurkha Reserve Unit Brunei, UN peacekeeping forces and in war zones around the world.[11]