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. |