POKHARA

 Pokhara (Nepali: पोखरा [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

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 (2021[3])

 • 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

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.