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Flanked by snow-covered mountains, the Kathmandu valley is surrounded by lush farming hills dotted with traditional villages and brick houses. It is abundant with ancient temples and shrines worshipped by both Buddhists and Hindus, reflecting a great wealth of culture and tradition.

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It exudes history, but also shows clear signs of the intruding wear and tear of the modern world. The contrast of modern and traditional in Kathmandu is extreme, with the almost medieval feel of old Kathmandu worlds apart from the upmarket Durbar Marg area.

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The kingdoms were united under the Shah dynasty in 1768. From 1846, much of the power in Kathmandu was in the hands of the Rana family, with the Shahs as figureheads. However, in 1951 King Tribhuvan overthrew the Ranas and the royal family still reign today as a constitutional monarchy.

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In 1991, democracy came to Nepal but political instability prevailed, partly owing to corruption. The Maoists of the Communist Party began their violent insurgency in 1996, in which many civilians lost their lives.

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