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Bhutan is situated in the Eastern Himalayas of
southern Central Asia and is bordered on the north and Northwest
by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and to the west,
Southwest, south and east with Indian states of Sikkim, West
Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Bhutan is a landlocked
mountain kingdom roughly the size of Switzerland, in the eastern
Himalayas. With a population of 600,000 spread over 46,000 sq
km.
Bhutan is the last unspoiled Himalayan kingdom often known as
Shangri-La. For a country of its size, Bhutan is a land of
spectacular contrasts and stunning beauty. The southern
foothills, at an altitude of 1,000 ft to 4,500 ft are covered by
dense tropical forest, which abounds with wildlife. These
regions are mostly inhabitated by Lhotsampas (Nepalese
immigrants who are given Bhutanese citizens nationally) and most
of them are agriculture workers.
Most industrial areas are also located in southern region. The
fertile central valleys (3,600 - 8,500 ft) are covered by
verdant coniferous and deciduous forests and dotted with
numerous monasteries, temples and dzongs. Western Bhutan's major
valleys of Ha, Paro, Thimphu, Punakha / Wangduephodrang are
intensely cultivated. The people in these valleys are well-to-do
and they build large homes of rammed earth in which several
generations often live together. The formidable Black Mountains,
rising to over 16,000 ft forms a natural boundary between
Western Bhutan and Central Bhutan. Central Bhutan is made up of
several districts where different dialects are spoken. Khyeng,
in the south, is covered by semi-tropical jungle and is famous
for its bamboo and ratten ware. Further north is Trongsa, home
of one of Bhutan's most impressive dzongs. Bumthang's four
valleys, between 8,530 - 13,000 ft with their picturesque
countryside, beautiful coniferous forests and numerous Religious
sites are often known as the "Heart of Bhutan". Eastern Bhutan,
home of the Sharchops ("people of the east"), is generally
warmer. The eastern women are renowned for their weaving skills
and produce fine textiles of silk and cotton. Northern Bhutan,
lying largely above 11,500 ft is region of glacial valleys,
alpine meadows and is home to the semi-nomadic yak-herders of
Lingshi, Laya and Lunana, have almost no contact with Western
civilisation and trade only in bartered goods. Towering above
this magnificent trekking country are the eternal snow-clad
peaks of the majestic Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Gangkar
Puensum, rising to over 23,000 ft. |
