Kathmandu Valley is part of three districts (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur), has the highest population density in the country, and is home to about a twelfth of Nepal's population.

Historically, the Kathmandu Valley and adjoining areas were known as Nepal Mandala. Until the 15th century, Bhaktapur was its capital when two other capitals, Kathmandu and Lalitpur, were established. Today, Kathmandu is the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and also the headquarters of the Bagmati Zone and the Central Development Region of Nepal.

These photos were taken the last week of July, 2014, 9 months prior to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25, 2015