Bhutan At a Glance

Bhutan has a Monarchy system of Government. The present king of Bhutan is JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL WANGCHUK, he is 26 years of age and 5th King of Bhutan.

Land Area: 46,500 sq km (17,954 sq miles)

Forest Area: 72.5 %

Population: 2.3 million (2006 estimate). It should be noted that population estimates vary hugely for Bhutan - some are as low as around 810,000.

Population Density: 59.4 per sq km.

Capital: Thimphu. Population: 716,214 (official estimate 2002).

National Animal: Takin

National Flower: Blue Poppy (Meconopsis grandis), found only in the high altitudes.

National Tree : Cypress (Cupressus torolusa)

National Bird: Raven (Corvus corax)

National Dress: Gho, (Knee length kimono like dress for men), and Kira (ankle length dress for women)

Government: Constitutional monarchy

Monetary unit: Ngultrum (Nu). Equal to Indian Rupee.

Time: GMT + 6. (15 min. ahead of Nepal time)

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Internet code: bt

Ethnicity/Race: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepali 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

Geography: Mountainous Bhutan, half the size of Indiana, is situated on the southeast slope of the Himalayas, bordered on the north and east by Tibet and on the south, west and east by India. The landscape consists of a succession of lofty and rugged mountains running generally from north to south and separated by deep valleys. In the north, towering peaks reach a height of 24,000 ft (7,315 m).

History: Although archeological exploration of Bhutan has been limited, evidence of civilization in the region dates back to at least 2000 B.C. Aboriginal Bhutanese, known as Monpa, are believed to have migrated from Tibet. The traditional name of the country since the 17th century has been Drukyul, Land of the Drokpa (Dragon People), a reference to the dominant branch of Tibetan Buddhism that is still practiced in the Himalayan kingdom.

Climate: Like most of the Asian continent, Bhutan's climate is also largely affected by monsoons. The north-eastern monsoon brings powerful winds that pass through high mountain passes. A strange sound emerges from this natural phenomenon, lending Bhutan its nickname 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'.

Bhutan has a changing climate which means you need to bring an assortment of clothes. The weather can vary dramatically from place to place, from day to day or within the same day. Western part of the country has monsoon climate. In southern plains and foothills, it is humid and subtropical. Southern and central regions have temperate climate. Northern part has alpine climate with Himalyan peaks cladded with snow.

Rainfall differs in various parts of the country. Northern part recieves about forty millimeters of rainfall actually, and that too as snow. Central part of the country recieves around 1000 millimeters every year. Southern part gets heavy rainfall, which has helped a dense forest develop.

Language: Dzongkha is the official language. A large number of dialects are spoken, owing to the physical isolation of many villages. Sharchop Kha, from eastern Bhutan, is the most widely spoken. Nepali is common in the south of the country. English has been the language of educational instruction since 1964 and is widely spoken.

Religion: The Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism (Drukpa Kagyu) is the state religion; the majority of Bhutanese people follow the Drukpa school of the Kagyupa sect. To ensure the perpetuation of Buddhism in the Kingdom, one son from each family normally attends monastic school. While the Dzongs are the centers of administrative and government activities for the entire valley they are predominate the homes and temples of the monastic community. Those living in the south are mainly Hindu.

Food: The Bhutanese diet is rich in meat and poultry, dairy, particularly Red-rice, white rice, and vegetables. Ayema datse (chili with cheese) is considered the national dish. It is Hot and spicy. Many of the hotel chefs are well trained at hotel schools outside Bhutan and can blend to your taste. Meals are usually served in buffet style for the group tours and individual traveler could request at your choice.

Way of Life: Apart from those working in the urban city, the majority of Bhutanese people still live in small rural villages. Farming is the most common occupation.