| Type: | District |
| Solukhumbu District | |
| Native Name: | सोलुखुम्बु जिल्ला |
| Nickname: | Khumbu |
| Image Map1: | Divisions of Solukhumbu.png |
| Map Alt1: | Divisions of Solukhumbu District |
| Map Caption1: | Divisions of Solukhumbu District |
| Coordinates: | 27.3442°N 86.0058°W to 28.1067°N 87.0003°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Koshi Province |
| Parts Type: | Municipality |
| Parts Style: | coll |
| P1: | Urban |
| P2: | Dudhkunda |
| P17: | Rural |
| P18: | Thulung Dudhkoshi |
| P19: | Necha Salyan |
| P20: | Dudhkoshi |
| P21: | Maha Kulung |
| P22: | Sotang |
| P23: | Khumbu Pasanglhamu |
| P24: | Likhu Pike |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | 1962 |
| Seat Type: | Admin HQ. |
| Leader Title: | Head |
| Leader Name: | Bir Kumar Rai |
| Leader Party: | NCP |
| Leader Title1: | Deputy-Head |
| Leader Title2: | Parliamentary constituencies |
| Leader Name2: | 1 |
| Leader Title3: | Provincial constituencies |
| Leader Name3: | 2 |
| Leader Title4: | Chief District Officer |
| Leader Name4: | Anil Khanal |
| Government Type: | Coordination committee |
| Governing Body: | DCC, Solukhumbu |
| Area Total Km2: | 3312 |
| Elevation Min M: | 600 |
| Elevation Max M: | 8848 |
| Population Total: | 104,768 |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Households |
| Population Blank1: | 23,758[1] |
| Demographics Type1: | Demographics |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Ethnic groups |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Female ♀ |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 52% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Male ♂/100 female |
| Demographics Type2: | Human Development Index |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Income per capita (US dollars) |
| Demographics2 Info1: | $1,841 per capita |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Poverty rate |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 25.7 |
| Demographics2 Title3: | Literacy |
| Demographics2 Info3: | 64% |
| Demographics2 Title4: | Life Expectancy |
| Demographics2 Info4: | 68.8 |
| Blank Name Sec1: | Main Language(s) |
| Blank Name Sec2: | Major highways |
| Timezone1: | NPT |
| Utc Offset1: | +05:45 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal Codes |
| Postal Code: | 56000..., 56010 |
| Area Code Type: | Telephone Code |
| Area Code: | 38 |
Solukhumbu District (Nepali: [[:ne:सोलुखुम्बु जिल्ला|सोलुखुम्बु जिल्ला]] in Nepali pronounced as /solukʰumbu/, Sherpa:, Wylie: shar khum bu dzong) is one of 14 districts of Koshi Province of eastern Nepal. As the name suggests, it consists of the sub-regions Solu and Khumbu. The closest post office to Solukhumbu with a postal code assigned to it is the Sindhuli D.P.O., which has the postal code 56000.
The district, with Salleri as its headquarters, covers an area of and had a population 107,686 in 2001 and 105,886 in 2011.
Mount Everest is in the northern part of this district, within Sagarmatha National Park.
Historically, Solukhumbu was part of Kirata Kingdoms in early and medieval era. It was a part of Majh Kirat Khambuwan (central province or region of Kirat Kingdoms).[2]
Before the unification of Nepal by king of Gorkha, what is now Solukhumbu district was part of Chaudandi of Majh Kirat (Khambuwan). In 1773 AD the King of Gorkha attacked and absorbed it into Nepal.[3]
The Solukhumbu district was established in 1962,[4] out of the old East No. 3 district. Before 1962, present-day Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga and some parts of Khotang previously constitute district "East No. 3".[5] Solu and Rawa thums (counties) were carved out of East No. 3 to create Solukhumbu District.
Solukhumbu is one of three Himalayan districts within Province No. 1, positioned on the west-by-northwestern corner of the province. It spans a total area of 3312km2. It is geographically situated between latitudes 27°20'39" and 28°6'24" North, and longitudes 86°0'21" and 87°0'1" East. Its north border includes the world's highest peak 8848m (29,029feet) (Mount Everest); and the district's lowest point is at 600m (2,000feet) (Tuintar) above sea level. The district is bordered by Sankhuwasabha in the east, Bhojpur in the south-east, Khotang and Okhaldhunga in the south, Bagmati Province in the west and Tibet (China) in the north.
The diverse geography of Solukhumbu district is marked by three distinct levels:
This region is home to the Mahalangur Himal and other Himalayan mountain ranges. Situated on the northern border with Tibet, it hosts some of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Gyachung Kang (7,952m), among others.
Known globally for its trekking and hiking opportunities, the highland Khumbu valley is predominantly inhabited by the Kulung and Sherpa communities. The administrative division of Khumbu Pasanglhamu is located in this region, encompassing the roadless town of Namche Bazaar and villages such as Thame, Khumjung, Pangboche, Pheriche and Kunde. The renowned Buddhist monastery at Tengboche also falls within the Khumbu region.[6]
Lower Solukhumbu (lower parts of Solukhumbu District) is part of the Mid-hills region. It is less famous for trekking, however new trails such as the Mundhum trail are being developed. Rais are the main inhabitants in this region.
| Climate Zone | Elevation Range | % of Area | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Tropical | 300 to 1,000 meters 1,000 to 3,300 ft. | 0.7% | |
| Subtropical | 1,000 to 2,000 meters 3,300 to 6,600 ft. | 9.3% | |
| Temperate | 2,000 to 3,000 meters 6,400 to 9,800 ft. | 20.6% | |
| Subalpine | 3,000 to 4,000 meters 9,800 to 13,100 ft. | 16.6% | |
| Alpine | 4,000 to 5,000 meters 13,100 to 16,400 ft. | 28.3% | |
| Nival | above 5,000 meters | 24.4% |
Solukhumbu is divided into 8 local level units, 1 unit is urban and 7 are rural. They are further divided into wards. Solukhumbu is single-seat constituency for parliamentary constituency and double seat for provincial constituency. Solukhumbu district coordination committee coordinates between local and provincial governments. Solukhumbu district administration office co-operates with Solukhumbu DCC to maintain peace, order and security in the district. The officer of District Administration office called CDO.
| Local units | Nepali | Type | Population (2011) | Area KM2 | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solududhkunda | सोलुदूधकुण्ड | urban | 20,399 | 538.09 | ||
| Dudhakaushika | दूधकौशिका | rural | 19,672 | 144.6 | ||
| Necha Salyan | नेचा सल्यान | rural | 16,129 | 94.49 | ||
| Dudhkoshi | दुधकोसी | rural | 13,414 | 167.67 | ||
| Maha Kulung | महाकुलूङ्ग | rural | 11,452 | 648.05 | ||
| Sotang | सोतांग | rural | 9,530 | 103 | ||
| Likhu Pike | लिखु पीके | rural | 5,534 | 124.38 | ||
| Khumbu Pasanglhamu | खुम्बु पासाङल्हामु | rural | 8,989 | 1539.11 |
| Constituency | Type | MP/MLA | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solukhumbu 1 | Parliamentary | Hem Kumar Rai | Nepal Communist Party | ||
| Solukhumbu 1(A) | Provincial | Uttam Kumar Basnet | Nepal Communist Party | ||
| Solukhumbu 1(B) | Provincial | Buddhi Kumar Rajbhandari | Nepal Communist Party | ||
Formerly, Solukhumbu district was divided into many Village development committees. In 2014 Dudhkunda municipality was established merging some Village development committees. In 2016 all other Village development committee nullified and introduced rural municipality thus all former Village development committees grouped into 7 units and announced 7 rural municipality.There were 35 Village Development Committees in Solukhumbu District:[8]
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Solukhumbu District had a population of 105,886.
As their first language, 36.7% spoke Nepali, 16.7% Sherpa, 9.4% Tamang, 9.2% Kulung, 8.8% Thulung, 8.5% Khaling, 3.8% Nachhiring, 2.4% Bahing, 1.5% Magar, 0.7% Maithili, 0.6% Newar, 0.4% Rai, 0.2% Sunuwar, 0.1% Bhujel, 0.1% Gurung, 0.1% Tharu, 0.1% Tibetan and 0.4% other languages.[9]
Ethnicity/caste: 19.7% were Rai, 16.6% Sherpa, 15.0% Chhetri, 9.9% Tamang, 8.9% Kulung, 5.6% Kami, 4.9% Magar, 4.6% Hill Brahmin, 3.5% Nachhiring, 2.4% Newar, 1.9% Gharti/Bhujel, 1.5% Damai/Dholi, 1.0% Thulung, 0.7% Gurung, 0.7% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.5% Sarki, 0.3% Kalar, 0.3% Khaling, 0.3% Sunuwar, 0.1% Badi, 0.1% Bahing, 0.1% Hajam/Thakur, 0.1% Koiri/Kushwaha, 0.1% Majhi, 0.1% Tharu and 0.5% others.[10]
Religion: 40.2% were Hindu, 30.2% Kirati, 27.2% Buddhist, 2.2% Christian, 0.1% Prakriti and 0.2% others.[11]
Literacy: 64.0% could read and write, 3.2% could only read and 32.8% could neither read nor write.[12]