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| General Infomation |
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. |
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| People |
| The country's population of 600, 000 is
composed of three main ethnic groups. The Sharchopas, who are
considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan, live mostly
in Eastern Bhutan and they are of Indo-Mongoloid origin. The
Ngalops populate mostly Western Bhutan migrated from the Tibetan
plains and are the importers of Buddhism to Bhutan.........{Detail} |
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| Religion |
| Buddhism was introduced in Bhutan in the 7th
century by Guru Padma Sambhava. in the centuries that followed,
Bhutan was home to many sages and saints including the great
saints-scholars like Longchen Ramjam, also known as Kuenkhen
Longchen Raamjam, (1308 - 1363). Various schools of Buddhism in
Bhutan assimilated other earlier practices and beliefs.......{Detail} |
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| Climatic conditions |
| Bhutan enjoys four seasons each having its
advantages and disadvantages to the visitor. The southern plains
close to the Indian border are warmer and more tropical than
higher central valleys. Spring is perhaps the most beautiful
time of the year when the fierce cold that characterizes the
winter months tends to subside towards the end of February with
beautiful...{Detail} |
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| Historical background |
| Till well into the 17th Century, Bhutan was
split up into small independent principalities. After the
arrival of Buddhism, during the seventh century, the various
Buddhist schools began sharing the power in the country with the
old aristocratic families. The cleric Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel
united the independent principalities into one state. After his
death the theocracy....{Detail} |
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| Geographical outlook |
Bhutan is a landlocked country. It is about
47,000 kilometres - roughly the size of Switzerland. It is
located between Tibet in the north, Indian states of West Bengal
and Assam in the south, and Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
Bhutan has three major land regions. The Great Himalayan region
in the north rises more than 4300 m (14,000 ft) along the
Tibetan border....{Detail} |
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| Flora & Fauna |
| Bhutan enjoys four seasons each having its
advantages and disadvantages to the visitor. The southern plains
close to the Indian border are warmer and more tropical than
higher central valleys. Spring is perhaps the most beautiful
time of the year when the fierce cold that characterizes the
winter months tends to subside towards the end of February with
beautiful.....{Detail} |
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