Kathmandu

For the Geo Quiz, we’re looking for the tourism gateway to the Himalayas. The grandeur of the world’s highest mountains attracts “trekkers” and travelers of all stripes to this crowded city.

In the last ten years Nepal has taken dramatic steps toward modernization. But at a price: heavy pollution hangs over the capital city of Kathmandu (cat-man-DOO) high in the Himalayas. Now, as Alexa Dvorson reports, rays of hope are beginning to make it through the smog at the top of the world.

The government in one of the world’s youngest democracies collapsed yesterday when the Prime Minister of Nepal resigned. This ends government rule by former Maoist guerrillas, who took power in elections after fighting a civil war against the King.

Nepal’s tourism industry took a major hit during the decade of Maoist insurgency. Now Nepalese officials want to make 2011 the year of tourism. And they’re billing Nepal as a destination for gay and lesbian visitors. Habiba Nosheen has more.

For our Geo Quiz, we’re looking for Nepal’s largest city. The answer is Kathmandu. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with California art collector Michelle Page about local Nepali artists who specialize in painting portraits of dogs for American pet owners.