Bhutan

Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is located in the Eastern Himalayas. It shares borders with China to the north and northwest and India to the south and southeast. Bhutan has a population of over 800,000 and an area of 38,394 square kilometres. It is a small but very beautiful nation.

Bhutan is a democratic constitutional monarchy. It is led by a King as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The Je Khenpo serves as the head of the state's religion, Vajrayana Buddhism.

The landscape of Bhutan ranges from lush subtropical plains in the south to tall Himalayan peaks in the north, including Gangkhar Puensum, the world's highest unclimbed mountain. Bhutan has many wild animals, such as the rare Himalayan takin and golden langur. The capital city, Thimphu, is home to nearly 15% of the population.

Bhutan’s history is closely tied to the spread of Buddhism. During the 16th century, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal united the valleys of Bhutan. Bhutan stayed independent and later formed close ties with Britain and, after 1947, with India. Bhutan joined the United Nations in 1971 and today has relationships with many countries.

Today, Bhutan is known for its commitment to economic freedom, peace, and low corruption. It is also a leader in hydropower and faces challenges from climate change, especially the melting of its glaciers.

Etymology

The name "Bhutan" may come from a Tibetan word meaning "end of Tibet." Bhutan is also called Druk yul, or "Land of the Thunder Dragon." Old maps from Europe used names like Bohtan, but these often meant Tibet. In the late 1700s, explorers began to clearly separate Bhutan from Tibet.

History

Main articles: History of Bhutan and Timeline of Bhutanese history

Bhutan has a long and rich history. People lived there as far back as 2000 BCE, as shown by stone tools and structures. The country’s history is closely tied to Buddhism, which arrived in the 7th century. Important Buddhist temples were built then by Tibetan kings.

Over time, Bhutan developed its own unique culture and ways of governing. In the 17th century, a Tibetan lama named Ngawang Namgyal united the country and built strong fortresses called dzongs. These forts are still important today. Bhutan had some conflicts with neighboring regions in the 18th and 19th centuries, but it kept its independence. In 1907, Bhutan became a hereditary monarchy under King Ugyen Wangchuck. The country signed treaties with British India and later with independent India, keeping control over its own affairs while getting help with foreign relations.

In recent years, Bhutan has modernised a lot. It introduced television and the internet in 1999, built schools and hospitals, and improved health and education. In 2008, Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy, and a new parliament was established. Even with challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, Bhutan continues to grow while protecting its cultural heritage.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Bhutan

Bhutan is a small country in the eastern Himalayas. It lies between China to the north and India to the south. The country has tall mountains and deep valleys. The land rises from about 200 meters in the south to over 7,000 meters in the north. This creates many different climates and kinds of wildlife.

The northern part of Bhutan is very cold and has high mountain peaks, including Gangkhar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan. The central region has forests and rivers, where most people live. The southern part has warmer forests and foothills that lead down to plains in India. Bhutan’s rivers and forests provide a home for many animals and plants.

Government and politics

Main articles: Politics of Bhutan and Elections in Bhutan

Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. The current monarch is Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and the Prime Minister of Bhutan is Tshering Tobgay, leader of the People's Democratic Party. Bhutan became a democracy in 2008.

The Druk Gyalpo ("Dragon King") is the head of state. The government has the National Council, an upper house with elected members, and the National Assembly with elected lawmakers. The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers. Bhutan has strong relations with neighboring India. It also works with many countries and groups, such as the United Nations and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Bhutan joined the UN in 1971 and is part of groups like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Bhutan

Bhutan's economy is small but has grown fast. It makes money from farming, cutting trees, tourists, and selling hydroelectric power to India. Many people work on farms growing rice and fruits. Bhutan also sells electricity from its rivers to India.

The country uses its own money, the ngultrum, which is linked to the Indian rupee. Bhutan is trying new technologies like green energy and internet businesses. But many people still have very little money. The government works with India on trade and projects.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Bhutan

Bhutan had a population of 777,486 people in 2021. The country’s people are mostly young, with a median age of 24.8 years. For every 1,000 females, there are about 1,070 males. Around 66% of people in Bhutan can read and write.

Bhutan’s largest city and capital is Thimphu. Other important towns include Damphu, Jakar, Mongar, Paro (where the international airport is), Phuentsholing, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, Trashigang, and Trongsa.

The main groups of people in Bhutan are the Ngalops and Sharchops. The Ngalops are closely related to Tibetan culture and are the political leaders. The Sharchops are the largest group and follow a different form of Tibetan Buddhism. There are also people known as Lhotshampa, who have Nepali roots and live mainly in southern Bhutan.

Bhutan’s official language is Dzongkha, which is part of the Tibetan language family. English is used in schools, and many other languages are spoken across the country. Most people in Bhutan follow Vajrayana Buddhism, which is the country’s state religion, while a smaller group practices Hinduism.

Bhutan began modern schooling in the 1960s. Today, it has universities and colleges, and primary education is free for everyone. Healthcare is also free, and people living there live about 70 years on average.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Bhutan

Bhutan has a rich and unique culture that has stayed mostly the same because it was isolated from the rest of the world until the mid-1900s. The country’s traditions are tied to its Buddhist roots, with Hinduism also playing a role, especially in the south. The government works to protect Bhutan’s culture and traditions. Because of its natural beauty and cultural heritage, Bhutan is often called The Last Shangri-La.

Bhutanese culture includes special clothing, beautiful buildings, and lively festivals. Traditional buildings, called dzongs, serve as religious and government centers. People wear special clothes, with men wearing a robe called a gho and women wearing a dress called a kira. Festivals have colorful dances and music, keeping old customs alive. Archery is the country’s most popular sport, enjoyed in villages with celebration and fun.