Capital: Kathmandu.Major Cities: According to the 2001 census, only Kathmandu had a population of more than500,000. The only other cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants were Biratnagar, Birgunj,Lalitpur, and Pokhara.Independence: In 1768 Prithvi Narayan Shah unified a number of states in the KathmanduValley under the Kingdom of Gorkha. Nepal recognizes National Unity Day (January 11) tocommemorate this achievement.Public Holidays: Numerous holidays and religious festivals are observed in particular regionsand by particular religions. Holiday dates also may vary by year and locality as a result of themultiple calendars in use-including two solar and three lunar calendars-and differentastrological calculations by religious authorities. In fact, holidays may not be observed ifreligious authorities deem the date to be inauspicious for a specific year.