 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. |
About Bhutan
