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. |
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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. |