Bhutan, The Land of Happiness
Bhutan is a small Buddhist Kingdom situated in the eastern Himalayas about the size of Switzerland, sandwiched between China and India. It was totally land lock country till 1984, when Druk Air (National Airlines) first started operating flight to outside world.
Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan and the original name of Bhutan is Druk Yul. Bhutan was separated from the nearby state of Nepal to the west by the Indian state of Sikkim, and from Bangladesh to the south by West Bengal. The capital city is Thimphu.
BHUTAN at a Glance
Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan
Local name of Bhutan: Druk Yul – means “Land of the Thunder Dragon“.
Capital and largest city: Thimphu (official)
Official languages: Dzongkha
Total Area: 38,394 square kilometers (350km long and 150km wide approx)
Location: Southern Asia, Landlocked between China and India
Altitude: 100m above sea level in the south to over 7500m in the north.
Longitude: 88°45’ – 92°10’ East
Latitude: 26°42’ – 28°15’ North
Political System: Democratic Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 7,42,737
Population Density: 18.9 per sq km.
Currency: Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)
Forest Coverage: 72.5% of the land area
Cultivated Area: 7.8% of total land
Life Expectancy: 68.4 years
Literacy Rate: 59.5% (Male 69, Female 49)
Local Time: 6 hours ahead of GMT
Country Code: +975
National Sport: Archery.
Population: 716,896 (density per sq km: 50)
Languages: Dzongkha (official), Tibetan dialects (among Bhotes), Nepalese dialects (among Nepalese)
National Holiday: National Day, December 17
Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian– and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Terrain: Mountainous, from the Himalayas to lower-lying foothills to plains with semi-tropical forest, savannah grassland and bamboo jungles.
Natural Resources: Hydroelectric power, timber, gypsum, calcium carbide.
Agriculture Products: Rice, corn, root crops, citrus, food grains, dairy products, eggs.
Industries: Cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide.