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The Kingdom of Bhutan (also Bootan) ( ) is a landlocked South Asian nation situated between India and Tibet, the People's Republic of China. The entire country is mountainous except for an 8-10 mile (13-16 km) wide strip of subtropical plains in the extreme south which is intersected by valleys known as the Duars. The elevation gain from the subtropical plains to the glacier-covered Himalayan heights exceeds 23,000 feet (7,000 m). Its traditional economy is based on forestry, animal husbandry and subsistence agriculture however these account for less than 50% of a GDP now that Bhutan has become an exporter of hydroelectricity. Cash crops, tourism, and development aid (the latter mostly from India) are also significant. An extensive census done in April, 2006 resulted in a population figure of 672,425. Thimphu is the capital and largest city.
Bhutan is one of the most isolated nations in the world; foreign influences and tourism are heavily regulated by the government to preserve its traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. Most Bhutanese follow either the Drukpa Kagyu or the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. The official language is Dzongkha (lit. "the language of the dzong"). Bhutan is often described as the last surviving refuge of traditional Himalayan Buddhist culture. Non-Buddhists complain of human rights violations. Approximately 100,000 ethnic Nepali (who are generally Hindu) left the country in the 1980s because they were unhappy with new government policies designed to reduce the growing illegal immigration from Nepal.
Bhutan has been a monarchy since 1907. The different dzongkhags were united under the leadership of the Trongsa Penlop. The current king, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, has made some moves toward constitutional government.
More on [ Bhutan ]
Just Back From: Bhutan (source: SF Gate) http://bit.ly/6e3Z2A
buzztravel (travel) Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:04:32 -0000
Just Back From: Bhutan (source: SF Gate) http://bit.ly/6e3Z2A
Getting excited for our trip to Bhutan in March with @wanderluster! Check out our website for more details: http://bit.ly/6wxIxK
breathebooks (susan weis) Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:35:17 -0000
Getting excited for our trip to Bhutan in March with @wanderluster! Check out our website for more details: http://bit.ly/6wxIxK
onlineglobegird.com doesn't quite work as advertised. Mind I would love to be in Bhutan even this freezing winter; hav3 fond memories.
harry_sahni (harry sahni) Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:18:20
Bhutan - A Country Study - Overview of life, history, and culture by the US Library of Congress.
Meta Description: [ Bhutan : Country Studies - Federal Research Division, Library of Congress ]
Bhutan - The Last Shangri-La - Features animal archive, overview of culture and history, and teachers' resources. Companion site to the PBS program.
Meta Description: [ Bhutan, or the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is the only remaining Buddhist Himalayan kingdom. Shrouded in timeless mystery, Bhutan is one of the few surviving regions whose secrets have passed undisturbed through the millennia. ]
CIA - The World Factbook -- Bhutan - Offers map and brief descriptions of the geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues.
Wikipedia- Bhutan - Offers article on history, geography, government, economy, people, transportation, culture, language and education.
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