Geography

Bhutan is a landlocked country bordered on the north by China and east, west and south by India.  The country's landscape consists of succession of lofty and rugged mountain ranges separated by deep valleys. Thick forests cover most of the slopes. Several rivers flow southward into the Brahmaputra River in India.

The panoramic scenes of the snow capped mountains in the north reaches a height of over 7500 meters above sea level. The northern belt is inhabited by few nomads and yak herders who move to the warmer places in the winter and bring back their livestock for grazing in the summer. The snow fed rivers in the alpine region provide pastures for the livestock in the summer.

In the inner Himalayas the elevation reaches from 1500 meters to 3500 meters. All the major towns like Thimphu ,Paro, Punakha etc... are situated here in this zone. From June to September during the time of monsoon the valleys become lush and green.

In the south, the Southern Hills are covered with dense deciduous forest, alluvial lowland river valleys, and mountains that reach around 1,500 meters above sea level. The Southern Foothills in the north has dense vegetation and abundant wildlife. The border towns are all in the southern foothills which shares borders with India.

The climate is humid and subtropical in the southern plains and foothills, temperate in the inner Himalayan valleys of the southern and central regions, and cold in the north, with year-round snow on the main Himalayan summits.

History

The name Bhutan appears to have been derived from the ancient Indian term "Bhotanta" which means the end of the land of the Bhots. ‘Bhots was the Sanskrit term for Tibetans, thus Bhutan could mean the end of the land of Tibet or from " Bhu-uttan" which means ‘high land'.  Though known to the outside world as Bhutan, Bhutanese refer to their country as Druk Yul or the Land of The Thunder Dragon.

Bhutan has been an independent nation throughout its history, a historic fact greatly treasured and prized by Bhutanese. Bhutan had numerous clans and tribal feudal chiefs who ruled over different regions in the country. These feudal chiefs were in constant conflict among themselves and with Tibet. It was not until the 17^th century that Zhabdrung  Ngawang Namgyel  unified the country and brought Bhutan one rule.  He established a theocracy in the country, a dual system of administration to look after the temporal and the civil administration of the country.

 Zhabdrung  Ngawang Namgyel  has had a great impact not only on the administration but equally on the  history of Buddhism in Bhutan.  He built Dzongs, monasteries and religious institutions.  He established the Drukpa  kargyud  school of Tantric Mahayana Buddhism in Bhutan.

The dual form of governance ended in the year 1907 when the Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuk became the first hereditary king of Bhutan. Since then there had been have four kings with our present King Jigme Khaser Namgyal Wangchuk  as the fifth king of Bhutan.  It was King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk who is accredited with opening the windows of the country to the outside world and stepping in the modern world.

Bhutan was not unified under central authority until the 17^th century, however the religious presence had been in the country had been acting as a spiritual cohesion for many years.  According to one legend, it was in 747 A.D, Guru Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan made his legendary trip from Tibet across the mountains flying on a tigress's back.

He arrived in Paro valley at Taktshang Lhakhang, Tiger's nest.  A monastery now perches on the cliff's face as a permanent memory in his name. Guru Rinpoche is not only recognized as the founder of Nyingmapa religious school but also considered as the second Buddha. In the years that followed many great masters flourished the faith of Buddhism. The country was eventually unified under the Drukpa Kargyud sect of Mahayana Buddhism by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

The 17^th century witnessed a remarkable change from the unification of the country under one rule to the coronation of our first King Ugyen Wangchuk in 1907 and a series of rulers under whose guidance Bhutan has progressed and balanced the country under the philosophy of Gross National Happiness.


People and Culture

People in Bhutan can be divided in three broad ethnics group - Sharchops, Ngalops  and Lhotshampas.

The Sharchops who live in the eastern regions of Bhutan are considered to be the earliest major group to inhabit Bhutan.  Sharchops translated as "people of the east"

Ngalops are the descendants of Tibetan immigrants who came to Bhutan in 8^th and 9^th century A.D settling primarily in the west.

The third group is known as Lhotshampas. They represent the Nepali speaking ethnic group.  They started migrating in the 19^th and 20^th century and live in the southern foothills of Bhutan. They are predominantly Hindu.

Predominantly Buddhist, the Bhutanese people practice Drukpa Kargyud sect of Mahayana Buddhism. Monks and nuns play an important role in the daily lives of Bhutanese people. They perform ceremonies by preserving the ancient culture and promote the teachings of wisdom and compassion.   You can practically see every Bhutanese home with a room called ‘choeshum' for daily religious practice.The faith of Bhutanese can be measured by the temples, monasteries and stupas built in every corner of the country for their daily worship.

Bhutanese wear distinctive national dress made form wool, cotton and silk.  The men's attire is called ‘Gho' and ladies dress is called ‘Kira'. People in Bhutan still wear the national dress in schools and offices.

Bhutanese food mainly consists of meat, rice and vegetables. People in Bhutan love chilies. The most popular dish in Bhutan is called ‘Ema Datse' which is made from cheese and chilies.

Chang, a local beer made from rice is a common drink especially in the villages.

The folk dances, ancient music and the mask dances during the religious festivals called Tshechu are some of the unique and distinct cultural identity Bhutan has preserved over the years.

Festivals of Bhutan
Tshechus are the main religious festivals of Bhutan.  The grand festivals are celebrated in honour of Guru Rinpoche .  People from all over the villages and towns gather for blessing, feasting, socializing in the finest robes and ornaments. It's held at different times of the year in different locations.  Festivals

Arts and Crafts

Bhutan's arts and crafts represents a unique insight of the country's distinct cultural identity from the rest of the world. The architecture of castle like dzongs, monasteries,temples and statues are clear evidence of the arts and crafts of Bhutan.  Bhutanese art is religious, anonymous and has a certain uniformity in style. 

The art of Zorig Chusum or the thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan remains very much alive today.

The arts and crafts continue to thrive despite a small tourists market. Much of this is due to the government s support and emphasis on the preservation of culture and tradition.

Flora and Fauna

Bhutan is considered as of the top ten bio-diversity hotspots in the world. For centuries Bhutan has treasured the natural environment.  One the ancient names for Bhutan was " valleys of the medicinal herbs" .  72% of the country is covered under forests . The government is determined to conserve this wealth and has set a national policy to maintain at least 60% of land under forest cover in years to come.

Bhutan is blessed with rich exotic flora and fauna. There are 46 species of rhododendrons and over 300 types of medicinal plants.  Junipers, magnolias, rare orchids, blue poppy (national flower) ,edelweiss, gentian , primulas, daphne,  giant rhubarb, high altitude plants, tropical trees, pine and oak are also common sights..

Bhutan is a paradise to wide range of animals. The relative abundance of wild animals is attributed to the Buddhist reluctance to take life. Snow leopard, blue sheep, red panda, tiger, takin, marmot and musk deer are found in the higher regions.  Temperate is habitat to tiger, leopard,goral, gray langur , Himalayan black bear, red panda ,sambar deer, wild pig and barking deer. 

In the lower parts of the Southern Bhutan mammals include tiger, clouded leopard, elephants,one horned rhinoceros, water buffalo, golden langur, gaur, swamp deer, hog deer horn bills and many more.

Bhutan is a perfect place for bird watching for bird lovers. Over 675 birds have been recorded. Some of these birds in Bhutan include wades, thrushes, finches and buntings, beautiful nuthatch, dark- umped swift, white -bellied heron and wood snipe.

Endangered Black necked Cranes are winter visitors. They migrate over the Himalayas in mid-October and early December to the spend the summer wetlands of Phojikha in Bhutan.  Rufous necked horn bill hide out in the lush tropical rain forests of the south. The rarest of the Herons, the White-bellied Heron both winters and summers in Bhutan.