The Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan lies along the lofty ridges of the eastern Himalayas, bordered by China (Tibet) to the north and northwest, and by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal and Sikkim on the east, south and west respectively. With an area of 46,500 square km Bhutan is comparable to Switzerland both in its size and topography.
It was the mighty Himalayas, which protected Bhutan from the rest of the world, and left the Kingdom blissfully untouched. Bhutanese people are driven by their respect for the tantric strain of Mahayana Buddhism.. The Bhutanese people have been able to protect this sacred heritage and unique identity for centuries by choosing to remain shrouded in a jealously guarded isolation.
The population of the kingdom is only about 600,000. Three main ethnic groups constitute Bhutan's population; the Sharchops, who are held to be earliest resident. BHUTAN PROFILE .| Official Name | Kingdom of Bhutan (Land of the peaceful Dragon) | | Head of State | H.M. King Jigme Singye Wangchuk | | Government | Constitutional Monarchy | | Capital | Thimpu | | Population | 0.6 million | | Literacy | 20% | | Per capita Income | US$ 190 | | GDP Growth Rate | 9% | | Area | 18,000 Sq. miles (47,000 Sq. km) | | Location | Approx. between 26' 45" and 28' 10" north latitude and 88' 45" and 92' 10" east longitude. It is a land locked country sharing a total of 870 km long land boundaries with China, India and Sikkim. Practically all of its communications and trade with outside world are with or through India. | | Language | Dzongkha – varying dialects of Tibetan, Sharchop Kha and Khen Kha | | Religion | Mahayana Buddgism of the Drukpa Kagyupa sect. | | Monetary Unit | Ngultrum (Equivalent to Indian Rupee) 1
Ngultrum = 100 Cheltrums
Ngultrums (Varies according to the value of US Dollar) | | Seasons | Winter: December to February
Spring: March to May
Summer: June to August
Autumn: September to November | Time | 6 hours + GMT | | Economy | Bhutan's economy is basically agrarian. Majority of the people are engaged in agriculture, livestock, farming and forestry. Main corps is rice, maize, buckwheat, fruits and vegetables. There are no Industries except a few small-scale units. | | Main Export | Timber, Plywood/Veneer, Particle Board, Block Board, Dolomite, Lime Stone, Coal, Cement, Polythene pipes, Handicrafts, fruits, vegetables, canned fruits, etc. | | National Costume | Gho – for men. It is a full-sleeved long dress, which comes up to the knee after tying a belt. Kira – for women. It is a full-length dress, tied at the waist with a belt (Kera) and held up by a pair of broaches at the shoulder. | | National Game | Archery. |
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