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A Brief Description
The legendary land of Bhutan
was first settled in the 9th century by
wandering migrants from the Tibet region of
China.
"Bhutan" may be derived from the
sanskrit
word "Bhu-Uthan" (high lands). In another
theory of Sanskritisation, Bhota-anta means
"At the end of Tibet", as Bhutan is
immediately to Tibet's South. Historically
Bhutan was known by many names, such as Lho
Tsendenjong (southern land of the Tsenden
cypress), Lhomen Khazhi ( southern land of
tour approaches ) and Lho Men Jong (
southern land of medicinal herbs).
Called
Druk Yul (Land of the Thunder Dragon)
by its people, the strikingly beautiful
Kingdom of Bhutan lies in the eastern
Himalayas, sandwiched between China and
India.
This small, landlocked country, literally surrounded by
mountains, is most difficult to navigate as
there are few roads and no domestic airlines. The country accommodates
international travel via Druk-Air,
and the only ground entry into the country
is through the southern border town of
Phuntsholing.
Long
influenced by the culture of India and the
British government, it gained its
independence from India in 1949. Today its
major trading partner is India, however much
of its people still live in poverty, with
wide-spread illiteracy a major social
problem.
The
capital city of Thimphu sits at an altitude
of 7000 feet, on the banks of the Wong Chu
river, and remains the site of royal
government offices, and serves as a powerful
magnet for adventure travelers from around
the world.
|
Official
Name |
Bhutan
( Kingdom of Bhutan ) |
|
Capital
City |
Thimpu
(66,500) |
|
Land Forms |
Himalayas |
|
Coastline |
0
( Land Locked ) |
|
Latitude/Longitude |
27º 32' N, 89º 43' E
|
|
Relative Location |
Bhutan is in both the
northern and eastern hemispheres. It's
positioned on the Indian subcontinent. a
recognized geographical region of
southern Asia. This landlocked country
is bordered by China and India |
|
Area |
18,147 sq miles (47,000
sq km) |
|
Highest
Point |
Kula Kamgri - 24,783 ft.
(7,554 m). |
|
Lowest
Point |
Drangme Chhu - 318 ft.
(97 m) |
|
Land
Divisions |
18 districts, including:
Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana,
Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro,
Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup
Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu,
Tongsa and Wangdi Phodrang. |
|
Climate |
Humid and
Subtropical in the southern plains and
Foothills, Temperate in the inner
Himalayan valleys of the Southern and
Central regions and cold in the North,
with year-round snow on the main. |
|
Good
Seasons |
April/May/October/November |
|
Population |
2,232,300 |
|
Ethnic Groups |
the
Ngalop, the Sharchop, several aboriginal
peoples, and Nepalese |
|
Religions |
Lamaistic Buddhist (75%), Indian and
Nepalese-influenced Hinduism (25%)
|
|
Culture |
Bhuddism and
Hindu |
|
Languages |
Dzongkha (official), and varied Tibetan
and Nepalese dialects |
|
National Day |
December 17 |
|
Natural resources |
Timber, Hydropower, Gypsum, Calcium
Carbonate |
|
Agriculture products |
Maize,
Rice , Wheat , Paddy, Potato etc |
|
Industries |
Tourism , Trade, Agriculture and other |
|
Currency |
Ngultrum (BTN) |
|
Time |
UTC/GMT
+6 hours |
|
History |
Drukpa, a Buddhist religious sect,
unified Bhutan in 17th
century and gave the name Druk-yul.
Later in 19th century the
reverse migration from Nepal settled
Nepalese in the southern plain of
Bhutan. |
|
Government Type |
Constitutional Monarchy |
|
