Kathmandu is and has been for many years the centre of Nepal's history, art, culture, and economy. It has a
multi-ethnic
population within a Hindu and Buddhist majority. Religious and cultural festivities form a major part of the
lives of
people residing in Kathmandu. Tourism is an important part of the economy in the city. In 2013, Kathmandu was
ranked
third among the top ten upcoming travel destinations in the world by TripAdvisor, and ranked first in Asia. The
city is
considered the gateway to the Nepal Himalayas and is home to several World Heritage Sites: the Durbar Square,
Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath.
