Jomsom, Nepal

The town of Jomsom, also known as Dzongsam or New Fort, is the distric headquarters of Mustang, one of the 75 administrative districts of Nepal. Jomsom extends over both sides of the Kali Gandaki River, which runs through it. Along the banks of the river there are rocks holy to the Hindus. The Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountain peaks form a backdrop to the town. The district headquarters is primarily an administrative and commercial center with government officials and merchants rubbing shoulders with the local residents of the region, known as Thakalis. The Jomsom Airport is pictured here, as well as residential and government buildings with red-clay roofs.