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Bhutan
Druk Yul
Population ; 7,00,000 (1996)
Capital ; Thimpu
Location ; Bhutan lies between 890
and 920 E and 270 and 280 N. 30 Minutes ahead of Indian standard time. 6
hours a head of GMT.
Language; Dzongkha
People ; There are 2 main population
groups in Bhutan the Drukpa (67% ) of Tibetan and Monpa origin and
Lhotsampa (30% Nepalese origin) The rest 3% others.
The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked
nation in the Himalaya Mountains, sandwiched between India and China in
South Asia. The Bhutanese call their country Druk Yul (land of the thunder
dragon). Historically Bhutan was known by many names, such as Lho Mon
(southern land of darkness), Lho Tsendenjong (southern land of the Tsenden
cypress), and Lhomen Khazhi (southern land of four approaches). The
origins of the name Bhutan are unclear; historians have suggested that it
may have originated in variations of the Sanskrit words Bhota-ant (the end
of Bhot – another word for Tibet), or Bhu-uttan (highlands). The word
Bhutan as a name for the country dates from the late 19th century.
Bhutan is one of the most isolated and least developed nations in the
world. Nonetheless, survery data from the country suggest it is also one
of the happiest (see the section on the Economy). Foreign influences and
tourism are heavily regulated by the government to preserve the country's
traditional culture and national identity. The landscape ranges from
subtropical plains in the south to the Himalayan heights in the north,
with some peaks exceeding seven thousand metres. Vajrayana Buddhism is the
state religion and the population is predominantly Buddhist, with Hinduism
being the second most dominant. Thimphu is the capital and largest city.
The northern region consists of an arc of
glaciated mountain peaks with an extremely cold climate at the highest
elevations. Most peaks in the north are over 23,000 feet (7,000 m) above
sea level; the highest point is claimed to be the Kula Kangri, at 24,780
feet (7,553 m), but detailed topographic studies claim Kula Kangri is
wholly in Tibet and modern Chinese measurements claim that Gangkhar
Puensum, which has the distinction of being the highest unclimbed mountain
in the world, is higher at 24,835 feet (7,570 m). Watered by snow-fed
rivers, alpine valleys in this region provide pasture for livestock,
tended by a sparse population of migratory shepherds.
The Black Mountains in central Bhutan form a watershed between two major
river systems: the Mo Chhu and the Drangme Chhu. Peaks in the Black
Mountains range between 4,900 feet and 8,900 feet (1,500 m and 2,700 m)
above sea level, and fast-flowing rivers have carved out deep gorges in
the lower mountain areas. Woodlands of the central region provide most of
Bhutan's forest production. The Torsa, Raidak, Sankosh, and Manas are the
main rivers of Bhutan, flowing through this region. Most of the population
lives in the central highlands.
Jacaranda trees in Bhutan
Terraced farming in the Punakha valley.In the south, the Shiwalik Hills
are covered with dense, deciduous forests, alluvial lowland river valleys,
and mountains up to around 4,900 feet (1,500 m) above sea level. The
foothills descend into the subtropical Duars plain. Most of the Duars is
located in India, although a 6–9 mile (10–15 km) wide strip extends into
Bhutan. The Bhutan Duars is divided into two parts: the northern and the
southern Duars. The northern Duars, which abuts the Himalayan foothills,
has rugged, sloping terrain and dry, porous soil with dense vegetation and
abundant wildlife. The southern Duars has moderately fertile soil, heavy
savannah grass, dense, mixed jungle, and freshwater springs. Mountain
rivers, fed by either the melting snow or the monsoon rains, empty into
the Brahmaputra river in India. Data released by the Ministry of
agriculture showed that the country had a forest cover of 64% as of
October 2005.
The climate in Bhutan varies with altitude, from subtropical in the south
to temperate in the highlands and polar-type climate, with year-round
snow, in the north. Bhutan experiences five distinct seasons: summer,
monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. Western Bhutan has the heavier monsoon
rains; southern Bhutan has hot humid summers and cool winters; central and
eastern Bhutan is temperate and drier than the west with warm summers and
cool winters.
Photo Gallery Bhutan
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